Orange Youth Academy

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.08 Grievances

The grievance procedures establish each youth’s right to grieve and ensure all youth are treated fairly, respectfully, without discrimination, and their rights are protected. The process includes: 1. Informal phase, wherein the JJDO attempts to resolve the complaint or condition with the youth using effective communication skills; 2. Formal phase, wherein the youth submits a written grievance resulting in a response from a JJDO supervisor by the end of the shift (if possible), or otherwise within twenty- four hours; and 3. Appeal phase, wherein the youth may appeal the outcome of the formal phase to the superintendent or designee. The center has facility operating procedures (FOPs) for grievances. Youth are able to request grievance forms from staff. The forms are located in the control room on each module. Five grievances were reviewed, and each were entered in the Department’s Facility Management System (FMS). The center did not have the original grievance for any of the five grievances. Since the original grievances were not available, it could not be determined if the grievances were resolved in real time. None of the nine interviewed staff were able to explain the grievance process. Nine youth were interviewed and had a limited understanding of the grievance process. Two youth knew to fill out the form and the supervisor reviews it. One of the nine interviewed youh reported the grievance process is good, the remaining eight interviewed youth reported never filling out a ...

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 2.10 Educational Access (Critical)

The center shall integrate educational instruction (career and technical education, as well as academic instruction) into the daily schedule in such a way which ensures the integrity of required instructional time. The center has facility operating procedures (FOPs) to provide for educational access. The center integrates education into the daily schedule in such a way as to ensure the integrity of the required minimum instruction time distributed over twelve months. The district-approved calendar and daily school schedule were reviewed, which incorporated the required 250 days of instruction, with ten days used for teacher planning, and a minimum of twenty-five hours of weekly instruction. A discrepancy was noticed between the approved school district bell schedule and the daily activity schedule. The daily activity schedule reflects the start of the school day at 8:15 a.m. and ending at 2:30 p.m. every day. The school-approved bell schedule has a start time of 8:00 a.m. and ends at 2:20 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesday, there is a start time of 8:00 am and an end time of 1:35 p.m. A random sample of three videos and three logbook reviews showed on two of the three days, the youth were not moved for their educational classes. On day one, there was no movement observed by the video reviewer, and no educational movement was noted in the logbooks. On day two, first and second periods were delayed due to teachers moving furniture, but no further entries ...

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 3.12 Suicide Prevention Training [Detention Staff] (Critical)

All staff who work with youth must be trained to recognize verbal and behavioral cues indicating suicide risk, suicide prevention, and implementation of suicide precautions. Nine in-service and nine pre-service staff training records were reviewed and confirmed suicide prevention training was completed as required. A minor deficiency was assigned on October 31, 2024, by the Office of Health Services (OHS) for mental health drills not being completed. The minor deficiency was closed on December 20, 2024. Mock suicide training drills were held no less than quarterly on both shifts, for all staff who encounter youth, and were in response to a suicide attempt and/or incident of serious self-injury. The center has a total of six suicide response kits located on each of the four modules and one in each control room. Each suicide kit is co-located with a first-aid kit. Each suicide response kit includes a one-way Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) mask, micro shield or face shield, non-latex gloves, first aid supplies, a flashlight and a gown. A review of corresponding documentation of suicide drills confirmed the drills were simulated, and no youth were used in drill simulations. The center completed twenty-one drills since the last annual compliance review. The center did not conduct suicide drills quarterly on each shift. A video review of mock suicide drills could not be conducted because the last drill was conducted on July 3, 2025, which is over thirty days. Documentation ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 4.12 Episodic/First-Aid/Emergency Care [Contract Provider]

The center shall have a comprehensive process for the provision of episodic care and first aid care. The center has facility operating procedures (FOPs) addressing a process to ensure first-aid kit contents are maintained and stored to prevent expiration or deterioration, as well as the use, access, and inventory of Narcan. In six of the nine reviewed Individual Healthcare Records (IHCR) each youth required on-site first-aid or episodic care. The remaining three were not applicable. In the six applicable IHCRs each youth received episodic care or first-aid by a licensed healthcare staff, and it was documented in problem-oriented subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (SOAP) charting. None of the first-aid events were conducted by non- healthcare staff. In all six applicable IHCRs the first-aid/episodic care event was documented including the nature of the complaint, the findings of the person rendering care, the treatment rendered, the education/instruction provided to each youth, an entry was made in the Episodic Care Log, and if required a referral to off-site care, the plans for follow-up/future care, youth placement on the alert list, and parental/guardian notification were conducted. The center has twenty first-aid kits, one each in the three sub control rooms, three modules, the kitchen, intake area, training area, East and West Annex clinic, East and West Annex master control, and seven are used for transportation. Three first-aid kits were checked and all of ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 5.04 Census, Counts, and Tracking

Officers must know the exact number and location of all youth under their supervision at all times. Census counts of youth shall be taken, called into Master Control, and documented, at a minimum: • At the beginning and end of each shift. • Following any emergency to include power outages, evacuation due to emergency drills, and any code called outside the secure walls. In the event a code is called in any location outside the main walls of a facility, it is critical all youth counts are reconciled prior to the movement of any group of youth. • Prior to and following routine group movement. • Any time a population change occurs. • Randomly, at least once on each shift. Staff should not include youth in the count who are not physically present with the staff person at the time of the count (e.g., court, clinic, confinement). The center has facility operating procedures (FOPs) which require staff always know the exact number and location of all youth under their supervision. A count was observed during the annual compliance review week at the recreation field. An informal count was called by master control. When the count was conducted, all three staff assigned to supervise the youth on the recreation field counted the youth and verified the total count with each other before calling in the count to master control. Staff were aware of the total number of youth assigned to them, and the actual number of youth present. Master control verified the location of all youth with the ...

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 5.07 Vehicles and Maintenance

The center ensures any vehicle used by the center to transport youth is properly maintained, as well as maintains documentation on the use and maintenance of each vehicle. Youth and staff are not permitted to use tobacco products. Center vehicles are locked when not in use. The center has facility operating procedures (FOPs) designed to ensure any vehicle used by the center to transport youth is properly maintained, and the center is required to maintain documentation on the use and maintenance of each vehicle. During the annual compliance review, center staff advised they had nine transport vehicles. Of the nine transport vehicles, three were assigned to the center within the past two months, and the center has not yet put those vehicles online. The remaining six transport vehicles did not undergo an annual vehicle inspection by a certified mechanic as required from the time of the last annual compliance review. When this information was shared with center leadership staff, they put the six transport vehicles without annual inspections offline, and began using the newly acquired transport vehicles, which were less than a year old; therefore, did not yet require an annual vehicle inspection. The center has made arrangements to have the six transport vehicles without an annual inspection, get inspected by a certified mechanic before being placed back online. A review of documentation revealed maintenance staff conducts monthly visual checks of all transport vehicles. These ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.05 Right Interactions (RI)

Right Interactions (RI) is the department approved Protective Action Response (PAR) curriculum. The center uses physical intervention techniques in accordance with Florida Administrative Code. Any time staff uses a physical intervention technique, such as countermoves, control techniques, takedowns, or application of mechanical restraints (other than for regular transports), a RI Report is to be completed and filed in accordance with the Florida Administrative Code. The center had a total of 135 Right Interaction (RI) Reports during the annual compliance review period. A RI Report was completed for each use of countermoves, control techniques, takedowns, or mechanical restraints. A review of nine RI events was conducted. All nine included statements of all staff involved. Seven of nine the reports were completed by the end of the staff’s workday. In two reports there was one staff, for each, who did not complete the report by the end of their workday; one was two days late, and one was one day late. None of the incidents resulted in serious injury to youth or staff, or a youth alleging abuse. All nine reports were reviewed by a supervisor or a RI instructor. In two of the nine, the report was reviewed by the supervisor/RI instructor two and three days late, respectively. Six of the nine reports had a post-RI interview conducted with each youth by the administrator/designee no longer than thirty minutes after the incident. In two of the three remaining the post-RI interview ...

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 2.09 Daily Activity Schedule

Youth are provided the opportunity to participate in constructive activities which will benefit the youth and the center. The superintendent or designee develops a daily activity schedule, which is posted in each living area and outlines the days and times for each youth activity. Staff shall adhere to the daily activity schedules. Documentation of all activities shall be made in all applicable logs. The on-duty supervisor must approve any significant changes in the activity schedule and shall document the reason for the change(s) in the shift report. Any cancellation of visitation shall be approved by the superintendent. The annual compliance review team observed youth participating in various activities, at various times of the day, during the annual compliance review week. The daily activity schedule was posted on each module; however, video review and logbook documentation indicated wake- up/personal hygiene, mealtimes, visitation, recreation and physical activities, education, bedtime, and daily groups have not been provided regularly to youth since the last annual compliance review. Seven youth were interviewed. Five of seven youth indicated the center does have a daily activity schedule; however, the remaining two youth explained the schedule was random and sometimes youth don’t come out of their rooms. Seven staff were interviewed. Four of seven staff confirmed the center has a daily activity schedule, which is followed, the remaining three staff indicated the youth ...

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 2.10 Educational Access (Critical)

The center shall integrate educational instruction (career and technical education, as well as academic instruction) into the daily schedule in such a way which ensures the integrity of required instructional time. The center has facility operating procedures to provide educational access. The center integrates education into the daily schedule to ensure the integrity of the required minimum instruction time distributed over a twelve-month period. The district approved calendar and daily school schedule were reviewed, which incorporated the required 250 days of instruction, with ten days used for teacher planning, and a minimum of twenty-five hours of instruction weekly. A random sample of three days of video and logbook reviews, since June 5, 2024, when a deficiency was assigned, showed youth entering class late and leaving early, falling short of the required twenty-five hours of instruction a week. The youth entered class fifty-six minutes, and one hour and forty-one minutes late and were released fifty-five minutes and three hours and forty-six minutes early, with one day not going to class at all. Youth are enrolled in academic courses through Orange County Public Schools and receive credit, as appropriate, when courses are completed. Five of the seven youth interviews indicated they attend school Monday through Friday. The remaining two responded with not having been every day or not going to school while at the center. Five of the seven youth indicated the program is ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 5.01 Active Supervision of Youth (Critical)

Staff are aware of the location of youth assigned to their supervision at all times. Staff monitor the movement of youth in their direct care from one location to another. Youth are in sight of at least one juvenile justice detention officer (JJDO) at all times (with the exception of sleeping hours or time secured in rooms). Officers are responsible for the care of youth at all times. At no time shall another youth be allowed to exercise control over or provide discipline or care of any type to another youth. When a youth leaves the group or program area of the center for any reason, all staff assigned to supervise the youth are informed. Master control authorizes all movement of youth prior to the actual movement, and no movement occurs until cleared by master control. Staff moves youth from one area of the center to another in accordance with Florida Administrative Code. The center has facility operating procedures to address the supervision of youth. During the annual compliance review week, supervision of youth was observed each day. Youth and staff observations were conducted on the module; youth movement was limited during the annual compliance review week. Youth were always in sight of at least one juvenile justice detention officer (JJDO). Detention staff always maintained continuous sight and supervision of youth demonstrating active supervision. Before movement of youth, the JJDO would ask master control for permission to move to their destination and master ...

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 5.03 Ten-Minute Checks (Critical)

Staff shall visually observe youth on standard supervision at least every ten minutes while they are in their sleeping quarters, either during sleep time or at other times, such as during an illness or room restriction. Staff conduct observations in a manner ensuring the safety and security of each youth and documents each check in real time, manually or electronically. Documentation must include the actual time of each visual observation and initials of the staff conducting the check; preprinted times are not acceptable. There shall be no obstructions (e.g., clothing, memos, pictures) over windows and areas where direct line of sight is needed. If an officer, in the course of completing visual observation, is unable to see the youth or any part of the youth’s body, the officer shall, with the assistance of another officer, open the door to verify the youth’s presence. The center maintains facility operating procedures which require visual checks on youth at least every ten minutes while they are in their rooms for sleeping purposes, illness, or room restriction. A review of ten-minute check logs for thirty-minute increments from each shift from the last twelve months revealed the ten-minute checks/wand reports were not able to be reviewed from the months of April, May, and June 2024 due to the center’s computer drive being inoperable. A review of the available ten-minute check logs/wand checks indicated all checks were conducted as required, other than two checks being ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 2.10 Educational Access (Critical)

The center shall integrate educational instruction (career and technical education, as well as academic instruction) into the daily schedule in such a way which ensures the integrity of required instructional time. The center has facility operating procedures addressing educational access. The year-long district calendar was reviewed and provided the required 250 days of instruction, with ten days allowed for professional development. Educational services are provided by Orange County Public Schools, who also approves the calendar. The center’s daily bell schedule allows for six fifty-three minute classes four days a week, and six forty-five minute classes on Wednesday, which meets the required twenty-five hours of instruction weekly. The center’s activity schedule is slightly different than the district’s daily education schedule, but the beginning and ending times were the same. Randomly selected logbook entries from January, June, and July showed the daily school schedule was not being followed, and required educational time was not being met. The main deviations identified were up to twenty minutes late returning to class after the scheduled lunch time and being released up to thirty minutes early at the end of the school day. Video footage and logbook entries were reviewed for three days in September. The outcome of those reviews indicated there were deviations in the movement of youth to and from the classrooms according to the school schedule. Those reviews showed a ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 3.12 Suicide Prevention Training [Detention Staff] (Critical)

All staff who work with youth must be trained to recognize verbal and behavioral cues indicating suicide risk, suicide prevention, and implementation of suicide precautions. The center has facility operating procedures to address staff training and drills. Seven pre- service and seven in-service staff training records were reviewed, and all fourteen staff had the required six hours, two hours online and four in-person, instructional hours of suicide training. The center conducts suicide drills monthly on each shift, exceeding the minimum requirement of quarterly on each shift. The center has seven suicide response kits, four in the east building, in master control and each of the three sub-control rooms, and three in the west building, located in each sub-control. Each of the seven suicide response kits contained the knife-for-life, wire cutters, needle nose pilers, one-way cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) mask, micro-shield or face shield, non-latex gloves, and a first-aid kit. The required first-aid supplies were located within each suicide response kit; therefore, the center did not need to have additional first-aid kits co-located with the suicide response kits. The center’s suicide drills from September 2022 until September 2023 were reviewed. Each month, each of the three shifts had a suicide drill conducted, an additional drill was completed the week of the annual compliance review totaling thirty-seven suicide drills. Nineteen of the thirty-seven reviewed suicide ...