VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Alpha House II
3903 West Autumn Drive
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 861-0533

Current Inspector: Cynthia Carneal (804) 726-7140

Inspection Date:

Complaint Related: No

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-151-840-J
Description:	Violation: Based on review of the resident?s record for discharged resident, DR1, review of the facility?s policies and procedures, and interviews with staff, the facility failed to ensure that restraints may only be implemented, monitored, and discontinued by staff who have been trained in the proper and safe use of restraint, including hands-on techniques. Findings: 1) The complaint focuses on an incident that occurred between DR1 and staff, S1. 2) The serious incident report (SIR) dated for 5/27/22 was completed and signed by S1 states the following: a. An ?X? was placed by ?Yes? for the following question ? ?Was physical restraint required?? b. ?3 minutes? was documented by the following ? ?If yes, give duration of restraint in minutes.? c. ?Physical Restraint on ground? was documented by the ?Methods of physical restraint used.? d. S1?s name was documented by ?Who administered the restraint?? 3) ?Part IV-Alpha House Policy and Procedure ? revised 2/2020, page 2? states the following: ?Alpha House is currently not teaching staff physical restraint techniques; therefore, should not physically restrain a child. In the event physical restraint is required the police will be called to assist. Staff shall not physically restrain a resident.? 4) On 8/3/22, S2 was interviewed jointly by a local agency representative and the Licensing Inspector about the SIR. S2 acknowledged that S1 physically restrained DR1. 5) On 8/16/22, S1 was interviewed jointly by a local agency representative and the Licensing Inspector about the SIR. S1 acknowledged that she completed the report and physically restrained the youth. S1 also acknowledged that the facility has not trained her or other staff to physically restrain residents. 6) On 9/21/22, S2 was interviewed solely by the Licensing Inspector in regard to the facility?s policies and procedures about Behavior Interventions. S2 stated that ?S1 violated the policy.?
Plan of Correction:	Alpha House staff began training in Crisis Wave, a behavior management training with a physical restraint component, on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. Mr. Edward Gates Jr is the facilitator of the training. It is anticipated that all of Alpha House Staff will have completed this training by December 14, 2022. The CPS investigation found no findings of neglect or abuse by the staff administering the restrain. This was a seasoned staff member who has multiple years experience working with challenging youth and utilizing crisis intervention techniques. The staff member was trained in the techniques used by DJJ and not Alpha House, there being the issue resulting in the violation. The source of the training.