Recommendations to Achieve Compliance. DJJ shall submit to the DOJ and the monitoring team revised isolation policies and procedures by January 2023.
Recommendations to Achieve Compliance. This section imparts the SME recommendations, outlined primarily in table format to share three components: the recommendations themselves; the action steps required for those recommendations; and the compliance category of the Agreement that the recommendation addresses. The SME, working from the Agreement, identified nine possible categories: Statewide Capacity; Timely Provision; Access to Service; Accessible Information; Mutually Agreed Delivery by Provider and Family; High Quality Service; Quality Assurance; Data Collection & Monitoring; and Workforce Readiness. In the review, there are several overarching considerations the SME wishes to highlight that apply across Agreement areas: • Implementation. When creating systems change, it is helpful to have a guiding implementation framework. The SME recommends adopting and/or clarifying the States’ implementation strategies, which will be particularly helpful in scaling up evidence-based interventions for Wraparound, MRSS and ACT to address and assess whether interventions are reaching the intended target population and statewide sustainability throughout clinical and community settings. Several frameworks like University of Colorado’s RE-AIM, National Implementation Research Network (NIRN), Oregon’s Social Learning Center’s Stages of Implementation Completion (SIC), Active Implementation Research Network (AIRN), or California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse adopted Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) can be considered. This type of framework should be supported by a robust workgroup structure. See Appendix D for an analysis of workgroups and meetings held between October 2022 to March 2023. • Data. Throughout the report, recommendations appear related to data sharing, data dashboards, and data dissemination. The details of data reporting and sharing are captured in DHHR’s Continuous Quality Improvement Plan, Key Performance Indicator Tables Working Document, and QAPI Suite of Reports and Quality Review Schedule. DHHR publishes the Children’s Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services Quality and Outcomes Report on a semiannual basis in January and July each year. Additional program and service specific reports are developed for use in DHHR’s internal CQI processes. Overall, the SME believes that, with additional sharing of data, it will be much easier to rate movement towards compliance. At a minimum, routine quarterly data reports should be shared with the SME in each service area....
Recommendations to Achieve Compliance. DJJ shall continue its efforts to secure a contract with a qualified consultant to deliver and train staff on a new behavior management system. The consultant should have experience using effective behavior management to reduce use of force and isolation. SOURCES Initial Implementation Plan: South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, Broad River Road Complex, August 12, 2022. 32 Various emails and documents provided by the Director of Settlement Compliance.
Recommendations to Achieve Compliance. DJJ shall submit to the DOJ and the monitoring team revised isolation policies and procedures by January 2023 and implement the changes by October 2023. DJJ must consistently implement the revised policy and procedures. SOURCES 74 Not applicable. Duration of Isolation
Recommendations to Achieve Compliance. The monitoring team is aware that DJJ is working with the DOJ to select a consultant to complete a new staffing study. A timely selection will facilitate the study’s completion within the required timeframe. SOURCES South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Facility Staffing Assessments, CJJA, October 21, 2021.
Recommendations to Achieve Compliance. DJJ needs to rectify its inability to accurately identify areas where incidents occur or are likely to occur. While some of this difficulty is due to frequent movement of youth to different units making pinpointing trends a challenge, some of it is also due to the inability of staff to easily query the Event Report System to produce reports. DJJ leadership needs to be able to identify dates, times, locations, and type of incidents that are occurring at BRRC and any trends. This information will allow them to respond more effectively and potentially prevent future problems. It is also recommended that DJJ add video surveillance to the following areas: 1. The Willow Lane girl’s facility youth bedrooms. Girls should be instructed to use the restroom to change clothing. 2. All buses and vehicles used to transport youth. 3. The Willow gymnasium upstairs workout room. It is recommended that additional computer monitors be added to the control center to support the staff’s ability to monitor youth’s movements throughout BRRC. Additional monitors will allow staff to see camera feeds and detect problems more clearly. The facility would also benefit from having additional staff to monitor youth, as the number of cameras to monitor are more than the current staff can realistically manage. Adding 19 staff to perform this function should be prioritized behind adding staff who directly supervise youth. SOURCES
Recommendations to Achieve Compliance. DJJ must select a new behavior management system and move forward with implementing it. Implementation must include appropriate staff training and monitoring for consistency and fidelity in applying the system. All staff providing direct care coverage should be trained on de-escalation. Addressing staffing shortages is needed. SOURCES Initial Implementation Plan: South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, Broad River Road Complex, August 12, 2022. 34 Various emails and documents provided by the Director of Settlement Compliance.
Recommendations to Achieve Compliance. DJJ should finalize the selection of a new behavior management consultant and provide the monitoring team with a list of identified DJJS staff members who are consistently able to successfully de-escalate youth conflicts and implement appropriate discipline. These staff members will serve as on-site coaches for colleagues and mentors on the use of behavior management. DJJ should consider developing guidelines describing staff’s roles and responsibility associated with coaching and mentoring. SOURCES Not applicable. Use of Force
Recommendations to Achieve Compliance. DJJ shall submit to the DOJ and the SME revised Use of Force policies and procedures by January 2023. SOURCES Initial Implementation Plan: South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, Broad River Road Complex, August 12, 2022. 46. IMPLEMENT REVISED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Within 18 months [October 2023] of the effective date, DJJ will implement the revised use of force policies and procedures.
Recommendations to Achieve Compliance. DJJ shall submit to the DOJ and the SME revised Use of Force policies and procedures by January 2023 and implement the changes by October 2023. SOURCES 39 Not applicable.
