Disability Rights Arkansas

Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

*Photos taken by DRA staff during onsite monitoring visits. Photos reflect the most recent conditions observed by DRA staff but may not reflect the current conditions at the facility. If you are associated with a facility and have updated information or photos you would like to share, please contact DRA at [email protected]

Location: Springdale, AR                   Population Served: Adolescent girls ages 7-17

# of residents per unit: Up to 12 Residents per room: 2 Capacity: 32

Contact with family (Calls and visit schedule): Weekly calls up to 3x/week for 10 minutes, intervention call available 1x/week for 10 minutes. Visitation available 2x/week for 30 minutes if previously scheduled. Zoom available if in person is not possible.

Restraint utilized? Yes Chemical Restraint utilized? Yes Seclusion utilized? Yes 

Treatment Components:

Clinical Director: LCSW                    Therapists: 2 full-time therapists (1 LMSW, 1 LAC)

Treatment modalities offered: Facility declined to identify any specific modalities available.

# of individual therapy sessions/week: Varies by client, most clients receive one individual therapy session per month

# of group therapy sessions led by a licensed mental health professional/week: 3

 

DRA Monitoring/Investigations

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PRLU or OLTC

Licensing, Notice of Incident, Suicide Attempt

  • Licensing (Suicide Attempt)
    • Client was taken to the comfort room after assaulting staff, where she removed her shirt and attempted to tie it around her neck. The shirt was taken from client and paper scrub was given for her safety. Client was placed on self-harm and assault precautions.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Corrective Action Visit, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Facility visited from 1245 – 1345. Census: 65. Licensing completed a walkthrough of the Blue Unit. The other units (Orange and Green) had residents either being quarantined or positive for Covid-19. Licensing viewed bedrooms and bathrooms for 101 – 105. All shower floors were viewed where epoxy was applied: No sharp edges were noted around the shower drain and no tiles were able to be pulled up from around the drain. No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident

  • Dual (Maltreatment)
    • Report received from another PRTF facility that a client placed in their care disclosed that they had consensual and nonconsensual sexual contact with a female staff member at Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks. Dates of sexual contact unknown. Client was placed at facility from 6/9/21 – 3/11/22.
    • Licensing follow-up: Specialist spoke to facility and obtained the last name of the alleged offender, and it was determined that the staff has not worked at the facility since 3/11/22. Specialist viewed interview with client and interviewer at Children’s Protection Center. Client denied abuse taking place at any of the placements that she has been a resident and denied reporting any form of abuse to anyone. Licensing complaint is unfounded.

Police Report

Sex Offenses

Juvenile reported that while living at the facility, she had a sexual relationship with a staff member. Juvenile stated they would sneak off to a bedroom and have sex, and stated the sex was consensual at times and at times it was nonconsensual. The alleged staff member no longer works at the facility. Upon being interviewed, juvenile denied anyone at the listed places she has lived has hurt her or touched her.

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint Visit, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Licensing observed the following areas: Blue Hall, Green Hall, Orange Hall, classrooms, courtyard, and cafeteria. Green Hall had 6 residents test positive for Covid. The residents are having school in their unit hallway due to Covid. Specialist viewed MARs; No licensing concerns noted.

Police Report

Sex Offenses

Juvenile reported that a staff member allowed her to touch staff’s knee, thigh, and vagina over the clothes. Juvenile stated the incident happened all the time and occurred at the staff’s table in the dayroom. The alleged staff member is no longer employed at the facility. Due to the facility refusing to release the alleged staff member’s name and DOB, police provided a subpoena to facility. The alleged staff member was interviewed, and provided photos of letters and text messages she received from juvenile. Officer sent case forward to Washington County Prosecutors on charges of Sexual Assault 2nd against alleged staff member.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident

  • Dual (Maltreatment)
    • Client reported a staff member allowed her to touch her knee, thigh, and vagina over the clothes. Client reported the incident happened all the time and would occur at the staff’s table in the dayroom. Staff member is no longer employed at facility and was terminated on 6/15/22.
    • Licensing follow-up: Specialist was informed by the investigator that the client disclosed another staff member being involved in sexual misconduct. Investigator reported that the facility would not cooperate with identifying the staff member. Specialist contacted the facility and was informed that the staff member was employed from 3/7/22 – 6/15/22. She was terminated on 6/15/22 due to 5 grievances filed. The specialist informed the investigator of this information. Facility cited (R110.13). Outcome: Founded.

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint, Licensing Follow Up, Notice of Incident

  • Licensing (Complaint)
    • Investigator viewed visible water on the floor of a closet. It was reported the closet appeared to have possible heating and air problems. Staff reported they had just wiped up water with towels; No towels were in sight. The investigator complained of a lack of cooperation from staff when she requested information on a former staff member. The investigator also reported being unable to view camera footage of the reported incident she was investigating.
    • Licensing follow-up: Specialist completed a building and grounds and observed Blue Hall, Green Hall, Orange Hall, classrooms, the courtyard, and cafeteria. Green Hall had 6 girls test positive for Covid and are being quarantined; Classes are being held in the unit hallways due to Covid. Specialist viewed MARS. No licensing concerns noted.

Police Report

Sex Offenses

Juvenile reported a staff member pulled her into an office, blocked the camera, and took juvenile’s hand and put her hand down his pants. Staff member then allowed juvenile to give him a “hand job”, and began grabbing her butt and kissing her. Juvenile also disclosed 2 more incidents involving separate staff members, the 1st of which was already reported and investigated. The 2nd incident involved an alleged staff member that allowed juvenile to “rub her [staff] vagina.” Juvenile stated it happened all the time at the staff table in the dayroom. Due to the facility refusing to release the alleged staff member’s name and DOB, police provided 2 subpoenas to facility (for video and staff information). The alleged staff member (initial incident) was arrested as of 9/12/22. On 9/20/22, police seized video footage from the facility that had not been provided.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident

  • Dual (Maltreatment)
    • Peer disclosed to staff that client told her she had sex with a staff member last night. Camera footage was reviewed and showed staff member and client going into the cafeteria and off camera on 3 separate occasions, the longest time off camera being 7 minutes. Client spoke with staff and stated she had sex with staff member on 2 separate occasions with last night being the last time. Staff member was sent home on suspension pending investigation and his key fob disabled. Client’s clothes from the previous night were placed in a bag. Client will be interviewed and evaluated by the Children’s Safety Center.
    • Licensing follow-up: Licensing follow-up: Specialist viewed camera footage on 8/22/22 and observed staff and client in the hallway going into different locations of the building. It appeared they were going to fill up water dispensers. Licensing complaint founded due to misconduct of staff member (Cited R109.1.g: Staff member engaged in sexual activity with a resident). CACD investigation: Substantiated.

Police Report

Sex Offenses

Juvenile reported that a staff member took her to a room without video surveillance and had sex with her 4 times. Video footage was reviewed and showed juvenile and staff member going to the room 4 times, and being off camera for 7-10 minutes each time. Juvenile described multiple incidents over several days where the alleged staff member kissed her, touched her breasts, “fingered” her vagina, penetrated her vagina with his penis, and penetrated her mouth with his penis where he ejaculated into her mouth. The alleged staff member was placed on suspension, the Child Abuse Hotline was called, and a rape kit was conducted at the Child Safety Center. On 8/24/22, police hand delivered a subpoena to the facility requesting video footage of 90 days prior to the termination of the alleged staff member, and had not received video as of 9/12/22. The alleged staff member was arrested as of 9/12/22. On 9/20/22, police seized video footage from the facility that had not been provided. As of 1/6/23, DNA samples were collected from the alleged staff member to compare to the evidence collected from the rape kit.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident

  • Dual (Maltreatment)
    • Client reported that on 8/17/22, staff member pulled her into the YCC office and put her hand down his pants, kissed her, touched her butt, and then pulled his pants down and exposed himself to her. Camera footage review indicates that the camera was partially blocked prior to the time indicated but did show client in the office during the time period. Staff member had already been sent home on suspension pending investigation and was terminated on 8/18/22 due to violating standard operation procedures.
    • Licensing follow-up: Specialist viewed camera footage on 8/22/22 and observed client and staff member being on and off view of camera. The camera footage in the YCC office was blocked so no faces were observed, just people going in and out of the office. Licensing complaint founded due to misconduct of staff member (Cited R109.1.g: Staff member engaged in sexual activity with a resident). CACD investigation: Substantiated.

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint Visit, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Licensing spoke with the Director of Nursing regarding an incident that occurred. The residents have been separated and the aggressor was placed on room ban. Licensing is not prepared to leave a finding at this time regarding the outcome. Facility cited for late reporting.
  • Regs out of compliance –
    • 1.110.12 – The agency shall notify the Licensing Unit by the next business day when a report of child maltreatment is accepted by the child abuse hotline against the owner/operator, employee, foster parent, volunteer, child, or other person in a child welfare agency

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm
    • Client used their fingernails to re-open old scars on their left arm. Client’s self-harm precaution for 7 days was extended. Client met with their therapist and C-SSR completed.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm
    • Client informed the RN that they self-harmed with a small piece of plastic they found on the floor. Superficial cuts noted to client’s left arm. Client was assessed by nursing staff; No first aid required. The client was placed on a self-harm precaution.
    • Licensing follow-up on 8/15/22: Client was assessed and processed with nursing staff. No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm
    • Client used the hook from her bra on her arms to self-harm. Client was assessed by nursing staff; No first aid required. Client was placed on a self-harm precaution for 7 days.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Forced Sexual Contact, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

  • Sexual Contact (Forced)
    • Client disclosed that peer hugged client and roughly fondled their fingers inside of client without consent. Client reported that this has happened on several occasions while on the blue unit and always in a bedroom. Residents have not been on the same unit for approximately 30-45 days.
    • Child Abuse Hotline called and accepted. Licensing follow-up on 8/12/22: Per DON, the residents have not been on the same unit for 30 days. One of the clients is on room ban (client can only get dressed in client’s room). CACD investigation was closed and unfounded. Facility cited 110.12 for late reporting.

Police Report

Sex Offenses

Juvenile reported a staff member had been touching her inappropriately, multiple times a day over the past 3 weeks. Juvenile stated the staff member touches her “on the ass or my tits”, and has given her multiple front hugs, in which staff “had a boner every time.” Officer viewed camera footage at facility of a particular incident that juvenile referred to. The staff member was observed giving juvenile a front-to-front hug, during which he leans in until both their faces are touching, and places his right hand straight onto juvenile’s rear end. Officer stated the strategy of the hug appeared to be so staff could reach her rear end. It was also later discovered that juvenile had told staff that she groped staff’s private area, and staff stated he wouldn’t say anything. Officer was informed that other staff were confronting juvenile about the allegation, due to alleged staff member being a “beloved staff member.” Facility CEO requested a subpoena from police to release the video footage. The alleged staff member was sent home on leave until the investigation is complete.

Police Report

Sex Offenses

Juvenile disclosed that she was in a relationship with a peer, and peer would put her hand into juvenile’s pants and put her fingers in her vagina. Juvenile stated this happened numerous times, and juvenile had not told peer that the touching was not okay or to stop. After reporting the incident to staff, peer was moved to a different area of the facility. State Police will be closing this case as unfounded, due to juvenile’s interview and that juvenile had not stated to peer that the touching was unwanted.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Injury

  • Self-injury
    • Client hit a wall, causing open skin and bleeding to 2 knuckles. The client was treated by the RN. Licensing follow-up: Client was treated at the facility.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm (1)
    • It was reported that client had bilateral marks on arms from biting themselves. No first aid needed. The client was placed on a self-harm safety plan.
    • Licensing follow-up on 8/1/22: Licensing inquired how long client will be on safety plan. Response email indicated 7 days.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm (2)
    • Client attempted to cut off circulation to their hand by wrapping a hair tie tightly around their wrist. The hair tie was removed with no injury. The client was placed on a self-harm safety plan for 7 days and will not be allowed to use hair ties during this time.
    • Licensing follow-up on 8/1/22: Afterhours hotline for facility was called.