63E-7.010: Residential Case Management Services
63E-7.011: Delinquency Intervention and Treatment Services
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The rule establishes the requirements for the administration and operation of state operated and contracted residential commitment programs for juvenile offenders.
SUMMARY: The rule sections address the provision of case management services within a residential program, including the function of the multidisciplinary intervention and treatment team. All aspects of case management are covered, from initial assessment, through performance planning and review, and concluding with transition planning prior to release. Delinquency intervention and treatment services are also addressed, including the provision of delinquency intervention services to address criminogenic needs, and treatment services for physical, mental health and substance abuse.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 985.64 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 985.601(3)(a) FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 9:30 a.m.
PLACE: DJJ Headquarters, 2737 Centerview Drive, General Counsel’s Conference Room 3223, Tallahassee, Florida
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: John Milla, 2737 Centerview Dr., Ste. 3200, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3100, e-mail: john.milla@djj.state.fl.us
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
63E-7.010 Residential Case Management Services.
(1) A residential commitment program shall provide case management services for each youth that ensure his or her priority needs are identified and addressed through the coordinated delivery of delinquency intervention and treatment services. The program’s case management processes shall include the following:
(a) Assessment of the youth, including reassessments or updates;
(b) Development and implementation of the youth’s performance plan and, when necessary to address a priority treatment need, the youth’s treatment plan;
(c) Review and reporting of the youth’s performance and progress; and
(d) Transition planning.
(2) Accommodating Disabilities. When providing case management services to any youth identified as having a disability, a residential commitment program shall make accommodations as needed to facilitate the youth’s understanding of and active participation in the case management processes listed above in paragraphs 63E-7.010(1)(a)-(d), F.A.C.
(3) Parent or Guardian Involvement. A residential commitment program shall, to the extent possible and reasonable, encourage and facilitate involvement of the youth’s parent or guardian in case management processes to include, at a minimum, assessment, performance plan development, progress reviews, and transition planning. To facilitate this involvement, the program shall invite the youth’s parent or guardian to participate in intervention and treatment team meetings for the purposes of developing the youth’s performance plan, conducting formal performance reviews of the youth’s progress in the program, and planning for the youth’s transition to the community upon release from the program. If unable to attend, the parent or guardian shall be given the opportunity to participate via telephone or video conferencing or to provide verbal or written input prior to the meeting. However, the program shall obtain the written consent of any youth 18 years of age or older, unless the youth is incapacitated and has a court-appointed guardian, before providing or discussing with the parent or guardian any information related to the youth’s physical or mental health screening, assessment, or treatment. Additionally, the program shall obtain the written consent of any youth, regardless of age, unless he or she is incapacitated and has a court-appointed guardian, before sharing with the parent or guardian any substance abuse information pertaining to the youth.
(4) Multidisciplinary Intervention and Treatment Team. A residential commitment program shall implement a multidisciplinary case management process, assigning each newly admitted youth’s case to a multidisciplinary intervention and treatment team. The team shall plan for and ensure delivery of coordinated delinquency intervention and treatment services to meet the prioritized needs of each youth assigned.
(a) The program director or his or her designee shall identify a leader for each intervention and treatment team to coordinate and oversee the team’s efforts and facilitate effective management of each case assigned to the team.
(b) At a minimum, a multidisciplinary intervention and treatment team shall be comprised of the youth, representatives from the program’s administration and residential living unit, and others directly responsible for providing, or overseeing provision of, intervention and treatment services to the youth. Each intervention and treatment team member shall participate in the case management processes addressed in paragraphs 63E-7.010(1)(a)-(d), F.A.C., to ensure provision of coordinated services to each youth. The program shall request and encourage a representative of the educational staff to participate as an intervention and treatment team member. However, at a minimum, the intervention and treatment team shall obtain input from the educational staff for use when developing and modifying the youth’s performance plan, preparing progress reports to the court, and engaging in transition planning.
(5) Assessment. A residential commitment program shall provide assessment services as follows:
(a) Initial Assessment. The program shall ensure that an initial assessment of each youth is conducted within 30 days of admission. The program shall maintain all documentation of the initial assessment in the youth’s official youth case record.
1. Criminogenic Risks and Needs. The program shall assess each youth to identify criminogenic risk and protective factors, prioritize the youth’s criminogenic needs, and determine his or her risk to re-offend. The criminogenic assessment tool used for this purpose shall address, at a minimum, the following domains, with information for its completion being obtained through a multi-disciplinary assessment process:
a. Criminal history;
b. Substance abuse involvement;
c. Attitudes, behaviors and skills;
d. Relationships;
e. Family history and current family dynamics;
f. School and work history and status; and
g. Use of free time;
2. Educational and Treatment Needs. Additionally, the program shall ensure that the initial assessment process addresses the youth’s educational and treatment needs as specified in the following subsections, and that any resulting information that is applicable to the criminogenic risk and needs assessment is reflected on the criminogenic assessment tool addressed in subparagraph 63E-7.010(5)(a)1., F.A.C.
a. Education. An educational assessment shall be conducted as required in Section 1003.52, F.S.
b. Physical Health. A comprehensive physical assessment conducted by a physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) or physician assistant, as well as a health-related history conducted by a physician, ARNP, physician assistant or nurse licensed pursuant to Section 464.003, F.S., shall be made available to the program by the time of the youth’s admission. After the youth is admitted, healthcare professionals with the qualifications referenced above shall review the respective documents within seven calendar days of the youth’s admission, resulting in verification or update of the youth’s medical status, identification of any medical alert relevant to the youth, and provision of healthcare services as indicated.
c. Mental Health and Substance Abuse. The program shall ensure that a comprehensive mental health or substance abuse evaluation is conducted when the need is identified through screening pursuant to paragraph 63E-7.004(2)(b), F.A.C. However, if a comprehensive evaluation, as defined in Rule 63E-7.002, F.A.C., was conducted within the past twelve months, an update to that evaluation may be completed instead. Only a licensed mental health professional or a mental health clinical staff person working under the direct supervision of a licensed mental health professional shall conduct a mental health evaluation or update. Any substance abuse evaluation or update shall be conducted by a qualified professional who is licensed under Chapter 458, 459, 490 or 491, F.S., or a substance abuse clinical staff person who is an employee of a service provider licensed under Chapter 397, F.S., or an employee in a facility licensed under Chapter 397, F.S.
(b) Reassessment. The program shall determine and document changes in each youth’s risks and needs so that updated information is available when the intervention and treatment team prepares a 90-day Performance Summary pursuant to paragraph 63E-7.010(9)(b), F.A.C. Additionally, the program shall ensure that any other updates or reassessments are completed when deemed necessary by the intervention and treatment team to effectively manage the youth’s case. The program shall maintain all re-assessment documentation in the youth’s official youth case record.
(6) Performance Plan. A residential commitment program shall ensure that each youth has a performance plan with individualized delinquency intervention goals to achieve before release from the program. Based on the findings of the initial assessment of the youth, the intervention and treatment team, including the youth, shall meet and develop the performance plan within 30 days of the youth’s admission.
(a) The performance plan, developed to facilitate the youth’s successful reintegration into the community upon release from the program, shall include goals that:
1. Specify delinquency interventions with measurable outcomes for the youth that will decrease criminogenic risk factors and promote strengths, skills, and supports that reduce the likelihood of the youth reoffending;
2. Target court-ordered sanctions that can be reasonably initiated or completed while the youth is in the program; and
3. Identify transition activities targeted for the last 60 days of the youth’s anticipated stay in the program.
(b) For each goal, the performance plan shall specify its target date for completion, the youth’s responsibilities to accomplish the goal, and the program’s responsibilities to enable the youth to complete the goal.
(c) To facilitate the youth’s rehabilitation or promote public safety, the intervention and treatment team may revise the youth’s performance plan based on reassessment results, the youth’s demonstrated progress or lack of progress toward completing a goal, or newly acquired or revealed information. Additionally, based on the transition conference addressed in paragraph 63E-7.010(10)(a), F.A.C., the intervention and treatment team shall revise the youth’s performance plan as needed to facilitate transition activities targeted for completion during the last 60 days of the youth’s stay in the program.
(d) The youth, the intervention and treatment team leader, and all other parties who have significant responsibilities in goal completion shall sign the performance plan, indicating their acknowledgement of its contents and associated responsibilities. The program shall file the original signed performance plan in the youth’s official youth case record and shall provide a copy to the youth. Within 10 working days of completion of the performance plan, the program shall send a transmittal letter and a copy of the plan to the committing court, the youth’s JPO, the parent or legal guardian, and the DCF counselor, if applicable.
(7) Treatment Plan. When a youth has a developmental disability or a mental health, substance abuse, or physical health need that is addressed in a separate treatment or care plan, that treatment or care plan shall be coordinated with the youth’s performance plan through the multi-disciplinary intervention and treatment team process to ensure compatibility of goals, services and service delivery. The youth’s performance plan shall reference or incorporate the youth’s treatment or care plan. When a youth in a residential commitment program has a current behavior support plan or case plan through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the program shall coordinate the youth’s performance plan with the youth’s APD plan for related issues.
(8) Academic Plan. A youth’s performance plan and his or her academic plan as specified in paragraph 6A-6.05281(4)(a), F.A.C., if applicable, shall be coordinated through the multi-disciplinary intervention and treatment team process, and the performance plan shall reference or incorporate the academic plan.
(9) Performance Review and Reporting.
(a) Performance Reviews. A residential commitment program shall ensure that the intervention and treatment team reviews each youth’s performance, including progress on individualized performance plan goals, positive and negative behavior, including behavior that resulted in physical interventions, and if the youth has a treatment plan, treatment progress. Performance reviews shall result in revisions to the youth’s performance plan when determined necessary by the intervention and treatment team in accordance with paragraph 63E-7.010(6)(c), F.A.C., and reassessments when deemed necessary by the intervention and treatment team in accordance with paragraph 63E-7.010(5)(b), F.A.C.
1. Low-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk programs shall conduct biweekly reviews of each youth’s performance. A formal performance review, requiring a meeting of the intervention and treatment team, shall be conducted at least every 30 days. In any month, one bi-weekly performance review may be informal, where the intervention and treatment team leader meets individually with the youth. When needed, the team leader may include other team members’ input in an informal review.
2. In maximum-risk programs, the intervention and treatment team shall meet at least every 30 days to conduct a formal performance review of each youth.
3. The intervention and treatment team shall document each formal and informal performance review in the official youth case record, including the youth’s name, date of the review, meeting attendees, any input or comments from team members or others, and a brief synopsis of the youth’s progress in the program.
(b) Performance Reporting. The intervention and treatment team shall prepare a Performance Summary (RS 007, September 2006) at 90-day intervals, beginning 90 days from the signing of the youth’s performance plan, or at shorter intervals when requested by the committing court. Additionally, the intervention and treatment team shall prepare a Performance Summary prior to the youth’s release, discharge or transfer from the program.
1. Each Performance Summary shall address, at a minimum, the following areas:
a. The youth’s status on each performance plan goal;
b. The youth’s overall treatment progress if the youth has a treatment plan;
c. The youth’s academic status, including performance and behavior in school;
d. The youth’s behavior, including level of motivation and readiness for change, interactions with peers and staff, overall behavior adjustment, and, for any initial Performance Summary, the youth’s initial adjustment to the program;
e. Significant positive and negative incidents or events; and
f. A justification for a request for release, discharge or transfer, if applicable.
2. The staff member who prepared the Performance Summary, the intervention and treatment team leader, the program director or designee, and the youth shall review, sign and date the document. Prior to the youth signing the document, program staff shall give the youth an opportunity to add comments, providing assistance to the youth, if requested. The program shall distribute the performance plan as specified below within 10 working days of its signing.
a. With the exception of a Performance Summary prepared in anticipation of a youth’s release or discharge, the program shall send copies of the signed document to the committing court, the youth’s JPO, and the parent or guardian and shall provide a copy to the youth.
b. As notification of its intent to release a youth pursuant to subsection 63E-7.012(2), F.A.C., or discharge a youth pursuant to subsection 63E-7.012(3), F.A.C., the program shall send the original, signed Performance Summary, together with the Pre-Release Notification and Acknowledgement form (RS 008, September 2006), to the youth’s JPO who is responsible for forwarding the documents to the committing court.
c. The program shall file the original, signed Performance Summary in the official youth case record except when it is prepared in anticipation of a youth’s release or discharge, in which case, the program shall file a signed copy in the official youth case record.
(10) Transition Planning. When developing each youth’s performance plan and throughout its implementation during the youth’s stay, a residential commitment program shall ensure that the intervention and treatment team is planning for the youth’s successful transition to the community upon release from the program. The intervention and treatment team shall intensify its transition planning as the youth nears his or her targeted release date as follows:
(a) Transition Conference. In a program with a length of stay over 90 days, the intervention and treatment team shall conduct a transition conference at least 60 days prior to the youth’s targeted release date. In any program with a length of stay of 90 days or less, the exit conference, addressed in paragraph 63E-7.010(10)(b), F.A.C., shall suffice to address all necessary pre-release transition activities.
1. The program director or designee, the intervention and treatment team leader, and the youth shall attend the transition conference. Although the program shall encourage other intervention and treatment team members to attend, those not attending shall provide written input to the team leader prior to the conference. If the youth’s teacher is not an active intervention and treatment team member, the team leader shall invite the teacher to participate in the transition conference; however, if the teacher chooses not to attend, the team leader shall obtain the teacher’s input prior to the conference. Additionally, the program shall invite the youth’s JPO, post-residential services counselor, if different than the JPO, the youth’s parent or guardian, and if applicable, the DCF counselor, encouraging their participation through advanced notifications and reasonable accommodations. However, when arrangements cannot be made for their participation in the transition conference, the intervention and treatment team leader shall request their input and offer an opportunity for them to provide it prior to the conference.
2. During the transition conference, participants shall review transition activities on the youth’s performance plan, revise them if necessary, and identify additional activities as needed. Target completion dates and persons responsible for their completion shall be identified during the conference. The intervention and treatment team leader shall obtain conference attendees’ dated signatures, representing their acknowledgement of the transition activities and accountability for their completion pursuant to the youth’s performance plan.
3. In follow-up to the conference, if anyone not in attendance is identified as having responsibility for completing a transition activity, the intervention and treatment team leader shall send him or her a copy of the plan and request its return with a dated signature. In this case, an original signature is not necessary.
(b) Exit Conference. Prior to a youth’s release, the program shall conduct an exit conference to review the status of the transition activities established at the transition conference and finalize plans for the youth’s release. The exit conference shall be conducted after the program has notified the JPO of the release, but not less than 14 days prior to the youth’s targeted release date or, if the program has a length of stay of 45 days or less, it shall be conducted not less than one week prior to the youth’s targeted release date.
1. The program shall arrange and prepare for the exit conference in accordance with the requirements for the transition conference stipulated in subparagraph 63E-7.010(10)(a)1., F.A.C.
2. The program shall document the exit conference in the official youth case record, including the date of the conference, attendees’ signatures, names of persons participating via telephone or video conferencing, and a brief summary of the follow-up transition activities still pending. The program shall track and ensure completion of any pending actions necessary to expedite the youth’s release and successful transition.
(11) Coordination of Youth Served by DJJ and DCF. In an effort to coordinate services for youth jointly served by the department and DCF, a residential commitment program shall provide information requested by the DCF counselor, or the youth’s JPO on behalf of the DCF counselor, and shall, upon request, make reasonable accommodations for a DCF counselor to visit the youth. The program shall invite the DCF counselor to the youth’s transition and exit conferences and, if necessary, make reasonable accommodations for telephone or video access to participate in the conference. Additionally, the program shall notify the DCF counselor 30 days prior to a youth’s release or, in the event that the program does not have 30 days notice of the youth’s release, the program shall notify the DCF counselor immediately upon becoming aware of the release date.
(12) Management of Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Eligible Cases. A residential commitment program shall establish and implement a tracking system to ensure that any case of a youth who is screened by the department as potentially eligible for involuntary commitment as a SVP is managed as follows:
(a) The program shall identify the youth’s potential SVP eligibility as part of the initial assessment documentation and the youth’s performance plan. The program shall include transition activities on the youth’s performance plan that facilitate determination of the youth’s SVP eligibility status.
(b) When planning the youth’s release pursuant to paragraph 63E-7.012(2)(b), F.A.C., the program shall assist the DCF multidisciplinary team and the State Attorney by providing additional information requested or by accommodating their request to interview the youth.
Specific Authority 985.64 FS. Law Implemented 985.601(3)(a) FS. History–New________.
63E-7.011 Delinquency Intervention and Treatment Services.
A residential commitment program shall provide delinquency intervention and treatment services that are gender-specific pursuant to Section 985.02, F.S., and that focus on preparing youth to live responsibly in the community upon release from the program. The program shall design its services and service delivery system based on the common characteristics of its primary target population, including age, gender, and special needs, and their impact on youths’ responsivity to intervention or treatment. However, in accordance with Rule 63E-7.010, F.A.C., the program shall individualize and coordinate the provision of delinquency intervention and treatment services based on each youth’s prioritized needs.
(1) Residential Community. A residential commitment program shall establish an environment that is conducive to the effective delivery of delinquency intervention and treatment services. This environment shall promote and reinforce community values by giving youth opportunities to assume the responsibilities and experience the benefits of being part of a community. Therefore, the program shall establish a residential community, as defined in Rule 63E-7.002, F.A.C., that promotes the following:
(a) Each youth’s personal accountability for his or her actions and how they impact others;
(b) Community safety through peaceful conflict resolution and youth learning to manage their behavior;
(c) Competency development through opportunities for youth to practice skills needed for responsible community living;
(d) Youths’ active participation through opportunities to make choices, assume meaningful roles, including team membership and leadership roles, and give input into the rules and operation of the residential community. The program shall establish a formal process to promote youths’ constructive input, such as a youth advisory council, that gives them experience in identifying systemic issues impacting their residential community and making recommendations for resolution to improve conditions and enhance the quality of life for staff and youth in the program.
(2) Delinquency Intervention Services.
(a) For each youth in its care, a residential commitment program shall implement a delinquency intervention model or strategy that is an evidence-based practice or a practice with demonstrated effectiveness as defined in Rule 63E-7.002, F.A.C., that addresses a priority need identified for that youth.
(b) A staff person whose regularly assigned job duties include implementation of a specific delinquency intervention model, strategy or curriculum shall receive training in its effective implementation.
(c) A residential commitment program shall provide delinquency intervention services that include, at a minimum, the following:
1. Educational Services and Career and Vocational Programming. Educational services shall be provided pursuant to Section 1003.52, F.S., the cooperative agreement between the applicable school district and the department as referenced in Section 1003.52(13), F.S., and any applicable provisions of the residential provider’s contract with the department. Career and vocational programming services shall be provided pursuant to Chapter 63B-1, F.A.C., and any applicable provisions of the residential provider’s contract with the department. The program shall make relevant facility training available to the educational and vocational staff, including program orientation, facility safety and security procedures, the program’s behavior management system, and other topics that the program deems necessary to promote coordination of services, as well as safety and security.
2. Life and Social Skill Competency Development. The program shall provide interventions or instruction that focus on developing life and social skill competencies in youth. For purposes of this rule chapter, life skills are those skills that help youth to function more responsibly and successfully in everyday life situations, including social skills that specifically address interpersonal relationships. Non-clinical staff may implement life and social skills interventions or instruction except when the instructional materials are specifically designed for use by clinical staff or when the skill training is delivered in response to a youth’s treatment plan, thereby requiring a clinician’s implementation.
a. The program shall provide life and social skills intervention services that address, at a minimum, identification and avoidance of high-risk situations that could endanger self or others, communication, interpersonal relationships and interactions, non-violent conflict resolution, anger management, and critical thinking including problem-solving and decision-making.
b. Direct care staff shall model prosocial behaviors for youth throughout the course of each day in the program, and guide and re-direct youth toward prosocial behaviors and positive choices. Additionally, staff shall engage youth in constructive dialogue to peacefully resolve conflict when it occurs or, if imminent safety and security issues delay intervention to resolve the conflict, as a follow-up process after safety and security are restored.
3. Impact of Crime Awareness Activities. The program shall provide activities or instruction intended to increase youths’ awareness of and empathy for crime victims and survivors and increase youths’ personal accountability for their criminal actions and harm to others. These activities or instruction shall be planned or designed to:
a. Assist youth to accept responsibility for harm they have caused by their past criminal actions, challenging them to recognize and modify their irresponsible thinking, such as denying, minimizing, rationalizing, and blaming victims;
b. Teach youth about the impact of crime on victims, their families and their communities;
c. Expose youth to victims’ perspectives through victim speakers, in person or on videotape or audiotape, or through victim impact statements, and engage youth in follow-up activities to process their reactions to each victim’s accounting of how crime affected his or her life; and
d. Provide opportunities for youth to plan and participate in reparation activities intended to restore victims and communities, such as restitution activities and community service projects.
4. Community Service Projects. The program shall engage youth in community service projects as learning experiences that promote competency development in youth and provide opportunities for them to give back to the community, such as projects that benefit less fortunate or victimized persons. If youth are restricted to the confines of the residential facility grounds pursuant to subsection 63E-7.013(19), F.A.C., the program shall engage them in structured activities that can be accomplished on-site at the program while benefiting the community. Through collaborative community partnerships, the program shall identify service projects that are needed and valued by the community. Although program staff shall be responsible for the direct supervision of youth while engaged in a community service project, the program shall ensure that any community member identified to sponsor or oversee a project serves as a positive role model while providing guidance needed for youth to successfully complete the project. In order for youth to understand the value of community service, staff shall provide opportunities for youth to give input into the selection of a community service project, involve youth in planning for the project, and de-brief with youth after completion of the project to process what they learned and how the community was benefited.
5. Recreation and Leisure Activities. The program shall provide a range of supervised, structured indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure activities for youth. These activities shall be based on the developmental levels and needs of youth in the program, as well as youths’ input about their preferences and interests in various activities. The program shall offer recreation and leisure activities requiring varying degrees of mental and physical exertion, such as board games, creative arts, sports, and physical fitness activities. Activities shall be planned for youths’ exposure to a variety of leisure and recreation choices, exploration of interests, constructive use of leisure time, and social and cognitive skill development, as well as to promote creativity, teamwork, healthy competition, mental stimulation, and physical fitness.
a. When engaging youth in active recreation and physical fitness activities, the program shall take the precautionary measures necessary to prevent over-exertion, heat stress, dehydration, frostbite, hypothermia, and exacerbation of existing illness or physical injury.
b. When planning for and engaging youth in active recreation and physical fitness activities, the program shall accommodate youths’ limitations due to physical disabilities.
c. The program shall provide each youth with the opportunity to engage in large muscle exercise at least one hour daily. However, a youth shall not engage in such exercise when prohibited by medical contraindications or restrictions documented by a licensed healthcare professional or when a youth is exhibiting signs and symptoms of illness or physical injury pending a licensed healthcare professional’s determination as to the necessity for medical restrictions. Additionally, a youth shall be prohibited from large muscle exercise when he or she is temporarily separated from the general population, including when placed on controlled observation or room restriction status pursuant to Rule 63E-7.013, F.A.C. However, if a youth is restricted to a room, the program shall give the youth an opportunity for large muscle exercise as soon as is reasonably possible after the youth is reintegrated into the general population.
d. The program director shall ensure development and implementation of written procedures that establish the conditions, content, and supervision necessary for the use of books and other leisure reading materials, television programming, videos, movies, and video games in the program. Except for academic classroom materials approved by educational personnel, program staff shall screen or preview the content of books and other reading materials, television programming, videos, movies, and video games to prevent youth’s access to content that promotes violence, criminal activity, sexual activity, or abuse. Program staff shall not allow youth to view any television program, video, or movie that is rated above PG-13 unless it is previewed and pre-approved by the program director or his or her designee.
6. Gang Prevention and Intervention Strategies. Consistent with subsection 63E-7.013(8), F.A.C., a residential commitment program shall implement gang prevention and intervention strategies when youth are identified as being a criminal street gang member, are affiliated with any criminal street gang, or are at high risk of gang involvement. Identification of youth to participate in gang prevention or intervention activities shall be based on information obtained through the program’s screening, assessment and classification processes, as well as gang-associated behaviors exhibited or the youth’s expressed interest or intent while in the program.
(d) Rehabilitative Planning and Follow-up Requirements for Off-Campus Activities. A residential commitment program shall ensure that off-campus activities addressed in this subsection are purposeful, deliberately planned, and related to the rehabilitation of the participating youth. Programs shall comply with eligibility, risk classification, notification and approval, supervision, and other security requirements related to off-campus activities specified in subsection 63E-7.013(19), F.A.C. Additionally, the program shall comply with the following rehabilitative planning and follow-up requirements for youth participating in supervised off-campus activities, such as community service projects, field excursions and other transition-related activities, and unsupervised temporary release activities, such as community employment, or day activities and home visits with youths’ parents or guardians. However, the following requirements are not mandatory for supervised recreational off-campus activities earned by youth as incentives in accordance with the program’s behavior management system.
1. A participating youth shall have specific, written goals or objectives, consistent with his or her performance plan and transition goals, to accomplish during the above-listed off-campus activities. For a home visit, the youth’s home visit goals shall be included on the Home Visit Plan/Notification form (RS 003, September 2006). The program shall send the form to the youth’s JPO, the youth’s post-residential services counselor, if assigned, the youth’s parent or guardian as an attachment to a transmittal letter explaining their responsibilities for providing supervision and support during their child’s home visit, and the committing court as an attachment to the Home Visit Plan Approval form (RS 004, September 2006). When the program sends this form to the committing court, the program shall copy the youth’s parent or guardian, the youth’s JPO, and the youth’s post-residential services counselor, if assigned.
2. After completion of an off-campus activity, program staff shall de-brief with participating youth to process what they learned from the experience, as well as how they performed during the activity, including successes, challenges, and if applicable, alternative behaviors or actions that could have resulted in more positive outcomes. The youth’s treatment team shall use information about the youth’s performance during off-campus activities when reviewing the youth’s overall progress and when planning future off-site and transition activities for the youth. Therefore, the program shall solicit feedback on a youth’s performance from the employer of a youth participating in community employment, the community member overseeing a community services project, and the parent or guardian after supervising their child during a day activity or home visit.
(3) Treatment Services. Treatment services shall be provided in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) Authority for Evaluation and Treatment.
1. For purposes of this rule section, routine physical and mental healthcare services are defined as those specified on the Authority for Evaluation and Treatment (AET) form (HS 002, May 2007) defined and incorporated into this rule pursuant to Rule 63E-7.002, F.A.C.
2. Prior to admission to the program of a youth under 18 years of age or a youth 18 years of age or older who is incapacitated as defined in Section 744.102(12), F.S., the youth’s JPO shall provide the residential commitment program with an original or a legible copy of the signed AET or a court order addressing the provision of routine physical and mental healthcare. However, when a youth is 18 years of age or older and not incapacitated, or otherwise emancipated as provided in Section 743.01 or 743.015, F.S., no AET or court order is required since the youth is responsible for authorizing his or her own physical and mental health care.
3. Unless revoked or modified by a youth’s parent or guardian or superceded by a court order addressing the provision of routine physical and mental healthcare, an AET remains current and valid while the youth remains under the department’s supervision or custody or for one year after it is signed, whichever comes later. However, if a youth reaches 18 years of age while in the program and is not incapacitated, or is otherwise emancipated as provided in Section 743.01 or 743.015, F.S., the youth is responsible for authorizing his or her own physical or mental health care.
4. When the person authorized to consent withholds, revokes or limits consent for any recommended treatment, the program’s Designated Health Authority, based on his or her clinical judgment, shall determine whether the treatment, if not provided, will potentially result in serious or significant health consequences for the youth or threaten his or her life or jeopardize the health of other youth and staff in the program. If the Designated Health Authority so determines, the program director shall explain the situation to the person withholding, revoking or limiting consent, encouraging him or her to consent to the needed treatment; however, if consent is still denied, the program director shall contact the department’s regional general counsel to request him or her to obtain a court order authorizing the treatment.
5. If the program anticipates that a youth will reach 18 years of age while in the program and believes that he or she is an incapacitated person as defined in Section 744.102(12), F.S., the treatment team shall track the youth and, at least three months prior to his or her 18th birthday, shall contact the youth’s parent or guardian to request that he or she initiate the process to determine incapacitation and guardianship in accordance with the procedures specified in Part V of Chapter 744, F.S., or, in the case of a youth in foster care, notify the Department of Children and Families counselor of the situation. If the program has reason to believe that guardianship is not being pursued, the program shall notify the department’s regional legal counsel.
6. Except in the case of an incapacitated youth for whom the court has appointed a parent as the guardian, the program shall not release any health or mental health information to a parent of a youth who is 18 years of age or older, or is otherwise emancipated as provided in Section 743.01 or 743.015, F.S., without the youth’s written consent. The program shall request the youth to give consent for his or her parent to be contacted in the event of an emergency; however, if the youth does not consent, the program shall request the youth to designate in writing the person or persons he or she wants contacted in an emergency situation.
7. The program shall not, under any circumstances, withhold physical or mental health emergency services pending the signing of an AET or issuance of a court order.
8. The program shall ensure that the original or a legible copy of the AET or the court order is maintained in the youth’s individual healthcare record. Additionally, any revocations or modifications to the aforementioned documents shall be documented in the youth’s individual healthcare record.
(b) Physical Health Services. A residential commitment program shall employ or contract with an individual to be the Designated Health Authority. He or she shall be licensed pursuant to Chapter 458 or Chapter 459, F.S. The Designated Health Authority shall be responsible for ensuring the delivery of administrative, managerial and medical oversight of the program’s health care system. The program shall promote the health and physical development of the youth in its custody by ensuring the provision of, at a minimum, the following healthcare components.
1. Intake Screenings and Assessments. Each youth shall be screened pursuant to Rule 63E-7.004, F.A.C., and assessed pursuant to Rule 63E-7.010, F.A.C. If a youth is identified as having a chronic condition or a communicable disease, is determined to be pregnant, or experiences a significant change in his or her healthcare status, or when a new medication or medical regimen is initiated, a physician or physician’s designee shall conduct a follow-up assessment when deemed necessary based on his or her clinical judgment about the youth’s condition.
2. Episodic Care. The program shall respond to any unexpected illness, accident or condition that requires immediate attention by ensuring 24-hour first aid and access to emergency care for youth when needed.
3. Sick Call Care. The program shall ensure implementation of an effective method for each youth to access sick call, as well as a system to respond to any youth’s sick call complaint of illness or injury of a non-emergent nature with a nursing assessment and, when warranted, a nursing intervention or referral to an off-site health care provider for treatment. Sick call shall be conducted by a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse who shall review the cases daily, telephonically or in person, with a healthcare professional at a licensure level of an RN or higher.
4. Medication Management. The program’s medication management system shall provide for the safe, effective, and documented storage, administration, and inventory of over-the-counter and prescription medications, including controlled substances.
5. Infection Control. The program shall develop and implement a plan for surveillance, screening and management of illnesses or potential infectious conditions. The program’s infection control plan shall be approved by the Designated Health Authority and shall address, at a minimum, universal precautions, blood borne pathogens, needlestick injuries with post-exposure evaluation and follow-up, and communicable diseases.
6. Health Education. Health education pertaining to issues of adolescence shall be provided to youth appropriate for their age, developmental level and gender. Additionally, as applicable, individualized health education shall be provided on specific health conditions, such as prenatal, postpartum and parenting education for pregnant youth.
7. Transitional Healthcare Planning. Consistent with transition planning required in Rule 63E-7.010, F.A.C., the program shall ensure a process to facilitate healthcare transitional planning and information exchange to maintain continuity of care for a youth who is released or discharged from the program or transferred to another facility.
(c) Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
1. Designated Mental Health Authority or Clinical Coordinator. A residential commitment program shall designate a Designated Mental Health Authority or a Clinical Coordinator as follows:
a. Any program with an operating capacity of 100 or more youth or any program providing DJJ specialized treatment services shall employ or contract with a single licensed mental health professional to be known as the Designated Mental Health Authority. If the program contracts with an agency or corporate entity, rather than a single mental health professional, then a single licensed mental health professional within the agency or corporate entity shall be identified as the Designated Mental Health Authority.
b. Any program with an operating capacity of less than 100 youth or that does not provide specialized DJJ treatment services, shall designate either a Designated Mental Health Authority or a Clinical Coordinator. Designating a non-licensed mental health clinical staff person as a Clinical Coordinator does not confer upon that person the authority to function as a clinical supervisor.
2. A residential commitment program shall ensure that youth in the program have access to, at a minimum, the following mental health and substance abuse services:
a. Mental health and substance abuse screening;
b. Comprehensive mental health and substance abuse evaluation;
c. Individualized mental health and substance abuse treatment planning and discharge planning;
d. Individual, group and family therapy;
e. Behavioral therapy;
f. Psychosocial skills training;
g. Psychiatric services;
h. Suicide prevention services;
i. Mental health crisis intervention;
j. Emergency mental health and substance abuse services; and
k. Developmental disability services for youth with a developmental disability.
3. Screening. Mental health and substance abuse screening that addresses risk factors for suicide, mental disorder and substance abuse shall be conducted upon a youth’s admission to a residential commitment program in accordance with Rule 63E-7.004, F.A.C.
4. Comprehensive Evaluation. Youth who demonstrate behaviors or symptoms indicative of mental disorder or substance abuse during the screening process or after admission to the program shall be referred for a comprehensive mental health or substance abuse evaluation or update to be conducted by a qualified person in accordance with Rule 63E-7.010, F.A.C.
5. Suicide Prevention Services. Youth who demonstrate suicide risk factors during the screening process or after admission to a program shall be referred for Assessment of Suicide Risk or emergency mental health services if the youth is in crisis. A youth identified with suicide risk factors shall be maintained on suicide precautions until he or she has received an Assessment of Suicide Risk conducted by a mental health clinical staff person who is a licensed mental health professional or works under the direct supervision of a licensed mental health professional. The Assessment of Suicide Risk form (MHSA 004, August 2006) is incorporated into this rule and is available electronically at http://www.djj.fl.us/forms/mental_health_sustance_abuse_services_forms_index.html.
6. Treatment Plan Development and Implementation. When a comprehensive mental health or substance abuse evaluation indicates the youth is in need of mental health and/or substance abuse treatment, an individualized mental health and/or substance abuse treatment plan shall be developed and timely treatment shall be provided based upon the youth’s treatment plan. Pending development of an individualized mental health or substance abuse treatment plan, an initial plan is acceptable.
a. The individualized mental health treatment plan shall include the signatures of the youth, the mental health clinical staff person that prepared the plan, and any intervention and treatment team members who participated in its development. A licensed mental health professional shall review, sign and date the treatment plan within 10 days of completion.
b. The individualized substance abuse treatment plan shall include the signatures of the youth, the substance abuse clinical staff person that prepared the plan and any intervention and treatment team members who participated in its development. The plan shall be completed by a qualified professional who is licensed under Chapter 458, 459, 490 or 491, F.S., or a substance abuse clinical staff person who is an employee of a service provider licensed under Chapter 397, F.S., or an employee in a facility licensed under Chapter 397, F.S. If the treatment plan is completed by a non-licensed substance abuse clinical staff person, the treatment plan shall be reviewed, countersigned and dated by a qualified professional within 10 calendar days of completion of the treatment plan as set forth in subsection 65D-30.004(17), F.A.C.
7. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment. The program shall ensure the delivery of individual, group and family therapy, behavioral therapy, or psychosocial skills training in accordance with a youth’s treatment plan. Mental health treatment shall be provided by a licensed mental health professional or a mental health clinical staff person working under the direct supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Substance abuse treatment shall be delivered by a qualified professional who is licensed under Chapter 458, 459, 490 or 491, F.S., a substance abuse clinical staff person who is an employee of a service provider licensed under Chapter 397, F.S., or an employee in a facility licensed under Chapter 397, F.S. Additionally, psychiatric treatment services delivered in accordance with a youth’s treatment plan shall be provided by a licensed psychiatrist or a licensed and certified psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner working under the clinical supervision of a licensed psychiatrist. The psychiatrist shall be a physician licensed under Chapter 458 or 459, F.S., who is board certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or has completed a training program in Psychiatry approved by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology for entrance into its certifying examination. A licensed psychiatrist who is board certified in Forensic Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or American Board of Forensic Psychiatry may also provide psychiatric treatment services if he or she has prior experience and training in psychiatric treatment with children or adolescents.
8. Crisis Intervention and Emergency Mental Health Services. Youth who demonstrate acute emotional or behavioral problems or acute psychological distress shall be referred for mental health crisis intervention services conducted by a licensed mental health professional or a non-licensed mental health clinical staff person working under the direct supervision of a licensed mental health professional. When a youth exhibits behaviors that constitute an imminent danger to self or others because of mental illness, the youth shall be referred for emergency mental health services in accordance with the provisions of Section 394.463, F.S.
9. Discharge Planning. Prior to a youth being discharged from mental health or substance abuse treatment, either when completing treatment or when being transferred, released or discharged from the residential program before completing treatment, a mental health or substance abuse discharge plan shall be developed to facilitate continuity when the youth moves from one facility to another or returns to his or her community. Additionally, the youth’s intervention and treatment team shall use the youth’s treatment discharge plan when planning for the youth’s transition to the community pursuant to Rule 63E-7.010, F.A.C.
Specific Authority 985.64 FS. Law Implemented 985.601(3)(a) FS. History–New________.