Gulf Coast Trades Center

Risk level: Medium : 748.399(a) - Records Available for Licensing-all active records immediately available for review and reproduction

The external documentation requested for the investigation in a timely manner on several attempts was not provided by the operation.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.303(a)(2)(A) - AP Serious Incdt-Report to Licensing no later than 24 hours after injury/illness that warrants treatment by a medical professional or hospitalization

Information obtained during the investigate evaluation indicates that serious incident reporting to Licensing was not completed within the 24-hour timeframe after a child received treatment by a medical professional, in accordance with Minimum Standards.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.3351(1) - Interior Space-Provide living space, appropriate furnishings, & bathroom facilities that are safe, clean and maintained in good repair

The toilets and showers have not been properly cleaned and the children mattresses are worn and patched with duct tape.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.1691(b)(2) - Nutrition-Must not be more than 14 hours between last meal or snack of the day and the serving of the first meal of the following day

Meal periods on the weekend are 15 hours apart as dinner is at 5pm and Breakfast is at 8am.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.3391(a) - Bathrooms-Must be maintained in good repair & kept clean

Bathrooms in Dorm 2 were observed to have shower knobs missing in both bathrooms and a broken door hinge. Bathroom in 4A was observed with mold on the ceiling. Bathroom in 4B was observed with a broken shower knob.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.2307(9) - Other Prohibited Punishments-subjecting a child to abusive or profane language

A staff member admitted to using profane language around children in care.

Risk level: Medium : 748.309 - Reporting Serious Incident - All serious incident reports to Licensing must be made to the Texas Abuse & Neglect Hotline

An incident that occurred on 05/04/25 involving a child in care pulling out a "shank" and threatening to stab another child with it was not reported to Licensing.

Risk level: High : 745.8641 - Requirements during probation

Condition #1-Not Met-Screening process was not complete for an employee prior to being hired. Condition #2-Met Condition #3-Met Condition #4 -Met Condition #5-Met Condition #6-Met

Risk level: Medium : 748.151(3) - Operational responsibilities - Maintain current, true, accurate, and complete records

Employee lists provided to Licensing during probation inspections were observed to not have each of the active employees listed.

Risk level: High : 745.641 - AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation

An employee who was hired on 03/17/25 completed 8-hour shifts for On-the-Job Training on 03/24/25, 03/25/25, 03/26/25, 03/27/25, and 03/28/25, although the background check results were not received until 05/01/25.

Risk level: High : 748.685(a)(4) - Caregiver responsibility - providing the level of supervision necessary to ensure each child's safety and well-being

A child in care was able to access an unsecured weapon without staff's knowledge.

Risk level: High : 748.1101(b)(1)(B) - Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation

The allegations are related to a DFPS abuse/neglect investigation.

Risk level: High : 748.3931(a)(1) - Weapons- Handguns are not permitted at an operation or during any type of activity.

A staff member brought a handgun on campus.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.507(1) - Employee general responsibilities-Demonstrate competency, prudent judgment, self-control in presence of children and when performing assigned tasks

A staff member did not adhere to work policies and procedures when bringing a weapon on campus.

Risk level: Medium : 748.935(a)(2) - Annual Training Timeline-Each person must complete the required annual training during each subsequent 12-month period

One employee was observed to be delinquent in completing two annual trainings.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.4703(b) - Child/caregiver ratio-Caregiver must remain awake during night-time sleeping hours

Caregiver was not awake during sleeping hours.

Risk level: Medium High : 745.8485(a) - May not record, listen to, or eavesdrop on any Licensing interview or internal discussion

Investigators reported being recorded while interviewing children and staff at the facility.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.1693(c) - Nutrition-must ensure drinking water is always available to each child and served in a safe and sanitary manner

A staff member reported that a previous staff member forced children to drink water out of the bathroom faucet and shower.

Risk level: High : 748.1101(b)(1)(B) - Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation

The allegations are related to a DFPS abuse/neglect investigation.

Risk level: High : 748.1101(b)(7) - Child's rights-Make complaints/calls/reports w/o interference,coercion,punishment,retaliation,threats.Right to make them anonymously

Children in care reported not being allowed to call complaints into the ombudsman office without first contacting administrative staff.

Risk level: High : 745.4151(c)(4)(A) - Mandatory drug testing-all applicants intended to be hired are subject to pre-employment testing, must have results prior to child access

One of the four employee files reviewed was observed to not have drug test results. This employee was on shift as recent at 02/22/24 supervising children in care.

Risk level: High : 748.685(a)(4) - Caregiver responsibility - providing the level of supervision necessary to ensure each child's safety and well-being

A resident was seen on camera footage breaking into multiple vehicles without staff presence or knowledge.

Risk level: High : 748.1661(a) - Tobacco Products and E-Cigarettes -Children may not use or possess tobacco products, e-cigarettes or any type of vaporizers

Several residents were found in possession of vapes at the facility. Search was not conducted thoroughly allowing vapes to be passed and used among residents on campus.

Risk level: High : 748.1101(b)(4)(A)(iv) - Children's rights-Free from being denied food, sleep, a bathroom, mail, or family visits as punishment

Family visits at the operation were suspended due to suspected illegal substances being brought in during the visits.

Risk level: High : 748.2303(a) - Corporal Punishment-May not use/threaten corporal punishment, such as hitting/spanking, forced exercise, holding physical position, unproductive work.

A staff member forced a child to do sit-up and plank for breaking into his mother's vehicle.