Youth Center of the High Plains

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 caregiver attempted to use a rod to trip a child in care as a means to deter his behaviors.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.1003(a) - Child/caregiver ratio-Caregiver may care for 5 children if any require tx svcs, 8 children if not; children under 5 yrs old count as 2 children

A single caregiver was transporting 11 children.

Risk level: Medium : 748.3271(6) - First Aid Kits-Each one must be kept out of the reach of children

A child in care had access to a first aid kit and ingested medication found in the kit.

Risk level: Medium Low : 748.1331(a) - Preliminary Service Plan-Complete plan that addresses child's immediate needs within 72 hours of admission

A child's Service plan did not document supervision for the child.

Risk level: Medium : 748.705(b)(9) - Reasonable & prudent parent standard-must consider the supervision instructions in the child's service plan

A caregiver did not follow a child's service plan by allowing a child to participate in a supervised visitation without confirming supervision.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.2151(b)(2) - Medication record - update cumulative record within 24 hours of administering medication if operate on a cottage home model

The operation failed to document medication administration on multiple occasions.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.2307(8) - Other Prohibited Punishments-humiliating, shaming, ridiculing, rejecting, or yelling at a child

A caregiver made shaming and ridiculing comments to a child in care.

Risk level: Medium : 748.3019(b) - Pest Control--Operation must use pest control operator licensed by TSPC Board or Dept. of Agriculture to prevent, control, eliminate pest infestations

The operation self-treated an incident involving bed bugs.

Risk level: Medium : 748.126(b) - All employees and caregivers must be aware of and follow your policies and procedures

The operation did not complete daily notes for two children in care as per their policy.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.685(b)(4) - Caregiver responsibility - when deciding how close to supervise take into account the surrounding circumstances, hazards, and risks

The operation failed to provide appropriate supervision for children in care after learning of an older male youth having inappropriate feelings for a younger child in care.

Risk level: Medium Low : 748.1331(a) - Preliminary Service Plan-Complete plan that addresses child's immediate needs within 72 hours of admission

One child record out of eight did not have a preliminary service plan completed within 72 hours.

Risk level: Medium : 748.3239(a) - Evacuation-Must practice unannounced fire drill at least once every 6 months from date of last fire drill

One cottage program has not had a fire drill since 5/16/2023.

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

Two caregivers engaged in verbal argumentative conversation, and one caregiver threw an object when children were present.

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

A caregiver used profane language and children in care were subject to this profane language.

Risk level: Medium Low : 748.1101(b)(6)(C) - Children's rights-to confidential care/treatment, include keep medical & operation records private. Discussing them only when it's about child's care

Caregivers failed to keep medical discussions private.

Risk level: Medium : 748.126(b) - All employees and caregivers must be aware of and follow your policies and procedures

Staff did not follow operational procedures when they were on duty.

Risk level: High : 748.685(a)(5) - Caregiver responsibility - being able to intervene when necessary to ensure child's safety

The overnight staff was discovered asleep while on duty.

Risk level: Medium : 748.311 - Serious Incident Documentation-Documented in written report

A serious incident was not documented by the operation staff.

Risk level: Medium High : 748.303(a)(5)(A) - Serious Incident-Report to Licensing soon as aware of an incident of sexual abuse of a child against another child

A caregiver failed to report an alleged child on child sexual abuse.

Risk level: High : 748.2307(14) - Other Prohibited Punishments-withholding food that meets the child's nutritional requirements

Caregiver did not allow the children to finish their dinner due to misbehaving.

Risk level: Medium : 748.3301(a)(2) - Physical Site- Buildings must be clean and in good repair.

Three bathrooms in the emergency shelter had shower mold that needed to be removed.

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 caregiver failed to provide the appropriate level of supervision necessary when two children in care were allowed to continue to share a bedroom, after they engaged in inappropriate behaviors together and when the operation was aware of concerns for possible sexual acting out behaviors with one of the children. As a result, the children continued to engage in inappropriate behaviors.

Risk level: Medium : 748.125(b) - All employees and caregivers must be aware of and follow your operation's policies and procedures

Overnight staff and day staff were not following the operation's policies; operation will have 24 hour awake staff. Staff was asleep while on duty.

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 was sick and had to wake the overnight staff to get medical care.

Risk level: Medium : 748.151(2) - Operational responsibilities - Operate according to your approved plans, policies, and procedures

Staff did not comply with the operations policy of having evening staff check on the kids 3-4x during the night at different times.