Tampa Bay Girls Academy - Moderate

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.02 Education Transition Plan (Education Contract Provider)

Upon admission, education staff and youth develop an education transition plan which includes provisions for continuation of education and/or employment. According to the contract, the contracted educational provider is required to develop an Education Transition Plan for each youth. Three closed youth records were reviewed, none of the closed records contained an Education Transition Plan. Many youth entered the program before December 12, 2024, when the new education provider, Florida Virtual School, started their initiation of the transition plans, so they would not have had an education transition plan developed by the provider. The youth, parent/guardian, instructional personnel in the program, department personnel for youth in the program, personnel from the post-release school district, and a certified school counselor were all involved with each youth through the education transition activities. Youth services and interventions based on assessed educational needs and post-release education plans were not on each youth’s Education Transition Plan, as none were completed; however, Electronic Education Exit Plans (EEEP) were completed for each youth and the required information was documented on the EEEP for each youth. The recommended educational placement for post-release was documented on the EEEP for each youth and was based on each youth’s individual needs and performance. Specific monitoring responsibilities by individuals who were responsible for the ...

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. According to the contract, the contracted educational provider is required to provide its assigned staff with professional development/training as specified in their contract. Fourteen training records for educational staff, five facility-based teachers and nine virtual/flex teachers, were reviewed. Each of the facility-based teachers who had the required training with the exception of two staff missing mental health and substance abuse training, and one staff missing adolescence development training. None of the nine virtual/flex teachers had any of the required training which includes behavioral management and de-escalation, child abuse, suicide awareness and prevention, and professionalism, interpersonal communication, and ethics to include standards of conduct. The virtual/flex teachers had additional trainings; however, none were required. It was also noted not all trainings, for any of the fourteen teachers, were reflected in the Department’s Learning Management System (Skill Pro).

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. According to the contract, the contracted educational provider is required to develop and upload an exit portfolio for each youth. A review of three closed youth case management records found none of the records contained the individual Education Transition Plan. Two of the three youth records included results of district and statewide assessments, the remaining youth was non- applicable for the assessments. Two of the three youth records did not have a Progress Monitoring Plan, the remaining youth was non-applicable for the plan. None of the three youth were applicable for the Section 504 plan, English Language Learner, Behavior Intervention, or Individual Education plan. Two of the three youth had a cumulative transcript in their exit portfolio, the remaining youth was non-applicable. One youth record included a list of courses in progress with grades, the remaining two records did not. None of the youth earned industry certifications and only one youth was applicable for their high school equivalency diploma. All three youth had documents uploaded into the Department’s Juvenile Justice Information System within three school days, prior to the youth’s release.

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

Education staff shall develop and implement a career education competency development program. Florida Scholars Academy (FSA), the education contract provider, is currently in the process of developing the career education curriculum for the educational abilities and goals of youth in the program and appropriate for the length of stay and classification of the youth in the program. At the time of annual compliance review, no documentation of career education was available. Currently, youth at all facilities are working with Career Power Workplace Skills workbooks. A review of program activities confirmed no career exploration services are being provided beyond soft skills instruction. There has been no lead response from Florida Virtual School (FLVS) regarding additional career exploration or coursework options. According to the program schedule, eligible youth participate in Career Power Workplace Skills activities during designated instructional periods Monday through Friday. The instructional leader indicated career education activities are limited to the use of the workbooks, with no additional curriculum or industry-recognized credential instruction currently available. Interviews with youth confirmed the absence of career exploration opportunities beyond the soft skills content provided. To fully meet contractual requirements and promote workforce readiness, the program is encouraged to finalize and implement the career education curriculum and secure additional career ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.06 Pre-Service/Certification Requirements (Critical)

Residential contracted provider staff satisfies pre-service/certification requirements specified by Florida Administrative Code within 180 days of hiring. Supervisory direct care staff shall have sixteen hours of supervisor training in addition to the required pre-service trainings. The program has a policy and procedures outlining the pre-service training and certification requirements for all new staff. The program considers youth care workers, shift supervisors, recreational therapist, facility administrator (FA), and assistant FA, to be direct-care staff and can be counted in the staff-to-youth ratio. A review of supporting documentation indicated the program’s instructors were qualified to deliver training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, first- aid, automated external defibrillator and Right Interactions. The program submitted a pre- service training plan on October 25, 2024, prior to implementation. The training plan was approved by the highest ranking official at the location, the assistant secretary for residential services, and the director of the Department’s Talent, Leadership, and Culture. A review of five staff pre-service training records indicated all five pre-service staff, who were past the first 180 days were missing multiple trainings. All five pre-service staff were applicable to have completed 120 hours of training in the first 180 days. The five staff were missing the following trainings. One staff was missing eleven pre-service trainings: DJJ ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.16 Special Contract Conditions

The program shall implement all items or services either negotiated or outlined in the contract which are considered Special Contract Conditions or listed within the Scope of Services Attachment. These may be referenced as the Memorandum of Negotiation (MON), Summary of Negotiated Points, Special Conditions, or older contract may not have them clearly identified as a special condition. These items typically exceed the minimum requirements outlined in Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code. The program has several additional services or items which were negotiated and outlined in the provider’s contract with the Department. These special contract conditions are: providing three snacks to the youth daily; have a sensory room; staff utilize a four-to-one positive reinforcement to redirection with the youth; applicable youth should participate in Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids (SPARK) thirteen-week program or receive six months of mentoring; hold bi- annual career day events at the program; applicable youth in transition can earn home passes; all youth should receive a self-sufficiency and independent living skills assessment within thirty days of admission; each youth have a community-based safety plan and a relapse prevention plan developed prior to discharge; all transitioning youth should receive the Overcoming Obstacles curriculum; and youth involved with the dependency system, the transition staff will assist with the transition to foster care or ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 2.16 Exit Conference

An Exit Conference shall be conducted, in addition to a formal or informal meeting, to review the status of goals developed at the transition conference and finalize release plans. The program has a policy and procedures to ensure each youth completing the program has an exit conference at least fourteen days prior to discharge. Three closed youth case management records were reviewed for exit conference documentation and two had documentation to confirm an exit conference was held fourteen days prior to release; the remaining record had an exit conference two days late. None of the reviewed records contained exit conference documentation to include signature of attendees, conference date, and conference content: transition activity status, education and /or employment status, review of the exit portfolio, and vocational plan. Each reviewed record contained dates of admission and discharge which matched the youth record in the Department’s Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS) as required. All three reviewed records contained some documentation of exit conference attendees. All three conferences were attended by the youth, parent/guardian, juvenile probation officer (JPO), and other pertinent staff; one included educational staff, and the remaining two did not. The program was able to provide electronic calendar pages with meetings and the JPO’s case notes in JJIS confirmed the meetings took place for each record. Each exit conference was held separately from the ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 2.17 Youth Input

The program has a formal process to promote constructive input by youth. The program has a policy and procedures outlining a formal process to promote constructive input by youth through living unit meetings, annual Trauma Responsive and Caring Environment (TRACE) surveys, and allowing youth to complete grievances or “What’s Tea” forms. The program completed a TRACE assessment on May 16, 2025. Townhall meetings are held on each living unit every other Friday. The program has grievance forms and “What’s Tea” forms available for youth throughout the facility. The program’s “What’s Tea” form allows youth to request to speak with staff by indicating who they would like to speak with and why. The form has a section for staff to document the solution and sign after they meet with youth. A review of “What’s Tea” forms during the annual compliance review period found twenty-four of thirty-one completed forms were left blank by staff, with no documented solution or signature. The program held a meeting in June 2025 to establish criteria for youth eligible to participate in a youth advisory board. Youth were able to sign up for positions within the youth advisory board, and an election was held on June 23, 2025. A review of youth advisory board meeting minutes found a meeting was held in July 2025, and three youth attended. The program’s policy and procedures do not require the program to hold youth advisory board meetings at any specific time intervals. Five youth were interviewed ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 2.19 Contract Specific Career and Technical Education

Services (Residential Contract Provider) The program shall implement all career and technical education services (formerly referred to as pre-vocational and vocational services) negotiated or outlined in the contract which are considered Contract Specific Conditions or listed within the Scope of Services Attachment. These may be referenced as the Memorandum of Negotiation (MON), Summary of Negotiated Points, Summary of Supplemental Response Request (SSRR), Best and Final Offer (BAFO), or Special Conditions. Older contracts may not have them clearly identified as a special condition. Career and technical education service instruction shall be provided so the interests, aptitudes, and skills of the youth are developed, while building upon their existing strengths, in a manner supportive of their employability goals which provide an occupational advantage and workforce readiness in their community. These items may exceed the minimum requirements outlined in Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code. The program’s contract requires the implementation of all Career and Technical Education (CTE) services, formerly referred to as pre-vocational and vocational services. CTE instruction is designed to develop the interests, aptitudes, and skills of participating youth while building upon their existing strengths in a manner supportive of their individualized employability goals, promoting workforce readiness, and providing an occupational advantage within the youth’s ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 3.13 Suicide Prevention Training (Critical)

All staff who work with youth shall be trained to recognize verbal and behavioral cues indicating suicide risk, suicide prevention, and implementation of suicide precautions. The program has a policy and procedures which ensures all staff who work with youth shall be trained to recognize verbal and behavioral cues indicating suicide risk, suicide prevention, and implementation of suicide precautions. Five pre-service staff training records were reviewed for the completion of suicide prevention training. There were no in-service staff applicable during the annual compliance review period. All five pre-service staff completed the required training. The program has two suicide response kits which are co-located with first-aid kits in administration/master control and the medical station. The suicide response kits each contain a knife-for-life, a needle nose plier, and wire cutters. A review was conducted of the program’s mock suicide drills which confirmed the program completed the required quarterly drills on each shift. An observation of video camera review confirmed the two available drills recorded within the last thirty days were not being simulated. All mock mental health drills scenarios reviewed were in response to a suicide attempt and/or incident of serious self-injury; however, were not simulated in the drill. The program exceeded the required semi-annual training on emergency response procedures; however, it did not include life saving measures which includes mock ...

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 5.07 Key Control (CRITCAL)

The program has a system in place to govern the control and use of keys including the following: • Key assignment and usage including restrictions on usage; • Inventory and tracking of keys; • Secure storage of keys not in use; • Procedures addressing missing or lost keys; and • Reporting and replacement of damaged keys. The program maintains a policy and procedures addressing key control. The program’s policy and procedures include key assignment and usage, restrictions on usage, inventory and tracking, secure storage of keys when not in use, procedures for missing or lost keys, and reporting and replacement of keys. The program’s policy lists the position titles who can be issued permanent keys with written authorization of the facility administrator (FA). Each staff issued permanent keys must sign the Key Responsibilities form prior to being issued permanent keys. The policy details which staff can have access to restricted keys and which areas those keys can access. Restricted keys are locked in a separate black lock box inside the main key lock box and master control maintains control of the key to unlock the restricted key box. An informal interview with the assistant facility administrator (AFA) confirmed the access to restricted keys is only authorized for those on the approved list and are kept in a separate lock box in master control. Policy states any damaged keys should be reported to the shift supervisor to complete a maintenance request form and damaged keys ...

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 5.12 Weekly Safety and Security Audits

A program shall maintain a safe and secure physical plant, grounds, and perimeter. The program has a policy and procedures which designates the facility administrator (FA) or their designee as the person responsible for conducting weekly safety and security audits and the implementation of any corrective action warranted as a result of any deficiencies found during the weekly audits. The program’s policy meets the requirements outlined in Florida Administrative Code. The weekly safety audits are kept in a binder in the FA’s office. Findings are discussed and a corrective action plan is implemented to fix any deficiency noted. During the annual compliance review period, the program was missing weekly safety and security audits for the last week of January 2025, the entire month of February 2025, and all except for one week in March 2025. The completed audits documented safety repairs needed and the date and time the repairs were completed, or due to be completed. All forms were reviewed and signed by the FA. The forms include checks of radios, cameras, keys, telephones, mechanical restraints, the generator, flashlights, fire safety equipment, alarms, anchor points, youth rooms, recreation area, facility grounds, correction action needed, and corrective action completed. The program could not provide a Preventative Maintenance Checklist for any weeks during the annual compliance review period. A review of program deficiencies related to safety and security during the annual ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 5.13 Tool Inventory and Management

The program shall have a tool management system ensuring youth do not use tools or equipment as weapons or security breaches. The program has a policy and procedures addressing tool inventory and management. The policy addresses the issuance, inventory, and control of equipment and tools. The policy prohibits machetes, bowie knives, or other long blades from the facility. The program does not keep any class A tools on-site; therefore, there is no inventory for sharp edged or pointed tools. All class A tools are kept in a locked shed at a different program on the same campus. The program does not have a kitchen on-site; therefore, the program does not have any kitchen tools. The program’s policy for missing/lost tools includes logging incidents in the logbook, stopping all youth movement, and conducting a search of facility and youth. The program has not had any dysfunctional tools which needed to be disposed of and/or replaced; however, policy states staff would report any dysfunctional tools to their immediate supervisor and the supervisor would notify the physical plant manager and facility administrator (FA). The physical plant manager is responsible for replacing and disposing of any dysfunctional tools. A review of the program’s tool inventory was conducted. The inventory listed six types of tools kept at the facility which are kept in a locked storage closet inaccessible to youth. Two tool quantities did not match the inventory, nor were the tools marked for easy ...

Failed compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 5.16 Fire, Safety, and Evacuation Drills

The program shall conduct fire, safety, and evacuation drills to ensure youth and staff are prepared for immediate implementation or mobilization in the event of an emergency or disaster. The program has a policy and procedures addressing fire, safety, and evacuation drills. A review of Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) drills revealed the program was not conducting monthly drills on a rotational basis as required on each shift during the annual compliance review period. The program did not complete any drills for February, March, April, and May 2025, and only completed COOP drills on one shift for January and June 2025. The program completed seven drills to include fire, escape, and/or weather during the annual compliance review period; however, drill scenarios did not describe what happened during the drill and who participated. One drill did not include a sign-in sheet for the participants. The annual compliance review team observed fire evacuation routes and egress plans posted throughout the facility. The program has seven fire extinguishers which were inspected on November 14, 2024. Five staff were interviewed, and four stated they had participated in drills in the past twelve months to include fire, weather, emergency situations, and medical and mental health drills. One staff member stated they had not participated in any drills. Five youth were interviewed, and each confirmed they had been instructed on what to do in case of a fire and had participated in fire ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 5.18 Storage, Inventory, and Disposal of Flammable,

Poisonous, and Toxic Items and Materials The program director or designee shall maintain strict control of flammable, poisonous, and toxic items and materials and a complete inventory of all such items. The maintenance personnel, or other trained staff who have the safety equipment for diluting, handling, and disposing of hazardous and/or solid waste, shall be responsible for disposing of hazardous items and toxic materials. The program has a policy and procedures for the storage, inventory, and disposal of flammable, poisonous, and toxic items and materials. The program’s policy does not include procedures for disposal of chemicals. The program only keeps cleaning supplies on-site which are stored in a locked storage closet inaccessible to youth. The physical plant manager, facility administrator (FA), shift supervisors, and dietary workers are the individuals authorized to handle flammable, poisonous, and toxic items and materials. A binder is stored with the chemicals containing the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the items located in the storage closet. The program has a binder with a chemical inventory and sign-in/sign-out sheet for any chemical usage. The program does not have any flammable materials stored on-site; however, policy states any flammable chemicals would be stored in a metal fireproof safety secured locker. The program did not have any chemicals which required disposal during the annual compliance review period. An informal interview with the physical plant ...

Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 5.21 Visitation and Communication

The program allows visitation and communication for youth while in the program. The program has a policy and procedures addressing visitation and communication. The program’s visitation schedule is posted in the lobby of the facility. The program’s policy and procedures are reviewed during orientation and are communicated to youth and parent/guardian within seventy-two hours of youth’s admission to the program. Visitation will occur for two hours unless prior authorization is approved by the facility administrator (FA). Policy states visitation requests must be submitted to the case manager at least three days prior to visitation; however, informal interviews with the case manager and FA, confirmed this is not required and will be removed from program’s policy. Policy states any visitors or communication with youth must be on the youth’s approved correspondence list which is maintained by the case manager. The program’s policy also states mail is opened in front of youth and outgoing mail is searched prior to leaving the facility. The program’s contract specifies the program is to provide visitation every Saturday and Sunday. A review of the visitation log confirmed the program is only providing visitation every other Saturday. A review of the program’s telephone log reflected telephone calls are provided on Mondays and Wednesday for all youth for fifteen minutes. As youth progress in the program, they can earn additional telephone calls. A review of the program’s mail log ...