Fort Myers Academy

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.04 Education Staff Training (Education Contract Provider)

The Educational Provider staff shall complete staff training as outlined within the contract. Florida Scholars Academy (FSA) is required to have all instructors and other educational staff members complete training as outlined within the Department’s contract with Florida Virtual School (FLVS). Reviewed training records for sixteen on-site and FLEX assigned teachers showed two had completed the required trainings. One staff had no documentation to show any of the required trainings were completed, and twelve had not completed required training in Behavioral Management and De-escalation, Professionalism, Interpersonal Communication, and Ethics, Suicide Awareness, or Child Abuse.

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.05 Exit Portfolio (Education Contract Provider)

The Educational Provider shall develop and upload an Exit portfolio at least three school days prior to the youth’s exit from a residential commitment program. Florida Scholars Academy (FSA) is required to develop and upload an exit portfolio at least three school days prior to each youth’s exit from the residential program. Three closed youth case management records were reviewed, and one contained an individual Education Transition Plan. Two records were applicable and contained results of statewide assessments, while the third youth received their high school equivalency diploma (GED). All three reviewed records contained cumulative transcripts. No records contained a Progress Monitoring Plan; however, the provider was working towards creating a process for the creation of the plans. All three records contained transcripts and course listings. The provider has not yet initiated the option of obtaining industry certifications; therefore, none were available. Each reviewed portfolio contained documents uploaded into the Department’s Juvenile Justice Information System.

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.06 Career Education (Education Contract Provider)

Education staff shall develop and implement a career education competency development program. As outlined by Florida Administrative Code, the education contract provider is required to develop and implement a program which fosters career education competency. The provider statement submitted by Florida Virtual School indicated a career education program is in development. During an interview with the lead teacher, it was stated students are scheduled in carer education courses and referred to Florida Youth College upon graduation. No evidence of career and technical education coursework was provided for review. During the annual compliance review period, the provider did not develop and implement a career education program appropriate to the program type.

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.04 Education Staff Training (Education Contract Provider)

The Educational Provider staff shall complete staff training as outlined within the contract. Florida Scholars Academy (FSA) is required to have all instructors and other educational staff members complete training as outlined within the Department’s contract with Florida Virtual School (FLVS). Reviewed training records for sixteen on-site and FLEX assigned teachers showed two had completed the required trainings. One staff had no documentation to show any of the required trainings were completed, and twelve had not completed required training in Behavioral Management and De-escalation, Professionalism, Interpersonal Communication, and Ethics, Suicide Awareness, or Child Abuse.

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.05 Exit Portfolio (Education Contract Provider)

The Educational Provider shall develop and upload an Exit portfolio at least three school days prior to the youth’s exit from a residential commitment program. Florida Scholars Academy (FSA) is required to develop and upload an exit portfolio at least three school days prior to each youth’s exit from the residential program. Three closed youth case management records were reviewed, and one contained an individual Education Transition Plan. Two records were applicable and contained results of statewide assessments, while the third youth received their high school equivalency diploma (GED). All three reviewed records contained cumulative transcripts. No records contained a Progress Monitoring Plan; however, the provider was working towards creating a process for the creation of the plans. All three records contained transcripts and course listings. The provider has not yet initiated the option of obtaining industry certifications; therefore, none were available. Each reviewed portfolio contained documents uploaded into the Department’s Juvenile Justice Information System.

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.06 Career Education (Education Contract Provider)

Education staff shall develop and implement a career education competency development program. As outlined by Florida Administrative Code, the education contract provider is required to develop and implement a program which fosters career education competency. The provider statement submitted by Florida Virtual School indicated a career education program is in development. During an interview with the lead teacher, it was stated students are scheduled in carer education courses and referred to Florida Youth College upon graduation. No evidence of career and technical education coursework was provided for review. During the annual compliance review period, the provider did not develop and implement a career education program appropriate to the program type.

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 5.09 Searches and Full Body Visual Searches

The program shall perform searches to ensure no contraband is introduced into the facility. The program maintains a written policy and procedures for searches and full body visual searches to be conducted to ensure no contraband is being introduced into the program. The program’s policy requires searches to be conducted throughout the program including searches of youth, visitors, property, staff, and the program’s physical plant. During the annual compliance review week youth searches were observed. Youth were searched in the main hallway leaving class, departing the cafeteria, after outdoor recreation, when leaving the medical office, and after completing groups. Observation was made of a youth departing and returning from an off-site medical appointment. In all observations staff treated youth with dignity and respect. Two female staff were observed explaining and instructing a newly admitted youth through the search process minimizing the youth’s stress and embarrassment. A video review of five randomly selected dates and times indicated the staff and visitor’s searches were not being conducted in accordance with policy and/or the Right Interactions (RI) training manual. One video observation showed four visitors/volunteers entered the program, completed the sign-in process, were electronic wand searched, and removed their shoes; however, none of the visitors were pat searched. In addition, the visitors possessed bags which were not clear/transparent, and the program ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 3.08 Specialized Treatment Services (Critical)

Specialized treatment services shall be provided in programs designated as “Specialized Treatment Services Programs” or are designated to provide “Specialized Treatment Overlay Services.” The program maintains a written policy and procedures to establish a delivery protocol for Intensive Mental Health (IMH) Treatment Services and substance abuse services. The focus of substance abuse and mental health treatment is to target and reduce/alleviate the youth’s symptoms of substance related disorder and/or mental disorder to improve youth functioning within the program and ultimately the community. The program provides substance abuse and mental health services through group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, and psychiatric services. A review of the program’s contract and an interview with the designated mental health clinician authority (DMHCA) confirmed the program was providing groups which include Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) three days weekly, Skillstreaming the Adolescent one day a week, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) one day a week, Impact of Crime (IOC) two days a week, and process group three days a week. The DMHCA verified the program provides group counseling five days a week, individual counseling weekly, and family therapy bi-weekly. Supportive counseling and crisis intervention are provided as needed. An interview with the facility administrator (FA) verified the youth Safety Plans are updated every formal treatment team meeting and after any ...