Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Troy Mitchell
Wolverine Human Services
15100 Mack Ave.
Grosse Pte. Park, MI 48231
Attached is the Special Investigation Report for the above referenced facility. Due to the
severity of the violations, disciplinary action against your license is recommended. You
will be notified in writing of the department’s action and your options for resolution of this
matter.
Please note that violations of any licensing rules are also violations of the MISEP and
your contract. A safety plan will need to be submitted within 15 days of the date of this
letter pending the outcome of any disciplinary action.
Please review the enclosed documentation for accuracy and contact me with any
questions. In the event that I am not available, and you need to speak to someone
immediately, please contact the local office at (989) 758-2717.
Sincerely,
enclosure
I. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
License #: CI730201515
Investigation #: 2021C0106015
Capacity: 100
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II. ALLEGATION(S)
Violation
Established?
On 1/22/21, youth was choked and punched by staff member at Yes
the facility. Youth has a scratch on cheek.
III. METHODOLOGY
EXIT
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ALLEGATION: On 1/22/21, youth was choked and punched by staff member at the
facility. Youth has a scratch on cheek.
INVESTIGATION:
It was alleged that Staff 1 hit and choked Youth A during a restraint of Youth A on
01/22/2021.
Administrator 1 provided an office where Youth A was talked with privately. Youth A
said she thinks it's probably because of the restraint that occurred on 1/22. Youth A
said she has a few bruises due to a restraint by four SSTs (Safety Support
Team). Youth A showed that she has a bruise on the left side of her forehead near her
hairline. This bruise is faded and yellow/green in color. It would be hard to see if not
pointed out. Youth A has bruises on both of her shoulders. These bruises are also
yellow/green and brown in color. Youth A had a mark on the right side of her neck
which was red in color and looked like a scratch/rug burn. There was a small
yellow/green bruise on her right- side rib area. Youth A also had bruises on her
forearms which appeared to be in different stages of healing. Some were darker in
color than others. Pictures were taken of all the marks and bruises.
Youth A said that during the restraint, Staff 1 was on her right side, Staff 5 was on her
left side and Staff 8 was on her legs. She said Staff 8 didn't really do anything to her
during the restraint. Youth A said the mark on her side and her neck were caused by
Staff 1. She said the mark on her neck occurred when they pulled up her shirt to stop
her from spitting on them. The marks on her shoulders were from the "take down" and
the marks on her arms were from them holding her down as she resisted the
restraint. Youth A said another staff, Staff 4, came in and relieved Staff 1 because she
was the one that choked and punched her.
Youth A said the incident occurred in her room. Youth A said the other girls on the unit
were in group secure at the other end of the unit during the restraint so none of them
could see in her room to see what was happening. Youth A said the restraint happened
in her room and she does not think staff saw what happened, only the SSTs that were
there. Youth A said she told two of the other girls what happened. She said she talked
with Youth B and Youth C about it. Youth A said Youth B was the one that noticed the
bruise on her head and neck.
Youth A confirmed that she saw the Nurse Practitioner (NP) yesterday. She denies that
she showed the nurse the bruises or told her what happened. Youth A said she only
talked to the nurse about her allergies and the laxative that she's on for constipation.
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Administrator 1 was asked if there is any documentation of all the bruises that Youth A
has. He said he's not sure. He said she saw the NP yesterday and never mentioned
having bruises. Administrator 1 was shown the pictures taken and was asked to look
into any documentation there may be from the weekend about those bruises. He said
he will look into it. Administrator 1 said he's waiting on the therapist to get the notes
from talking with Youth A after the restraint occurred.
I met with State Worker 2 on 01/28/2021 and discussed the investigation and made
arrangements to schedule interviews at the facility.
Sometime later following interviews with additional staff, Staff, 2 approached State
Worker 2 and I and provided a written safety plan for Youth A. The plan was dated
01/22/2021 and updated 01/29/2021. He reported he then remembered the incident
because he had to stay late to do the safety plan.
I interviewed Youth A at the facility on 02/12/2021 with State Worker 2. Youth A stated
she likes to chew ice and Staff 1 wouldn’t let her. Youth A stated she was upset over
staff redirecting. Youth A said she thought Staff 7 was upset with Youth A because of
comments Youth A made about Youth A having a toothache. Youth A described Staff 7
as a mother figure to Youth A. Youth A stated they were called for dinner, but Youth A
stayed back, and went into her room. Youth A alleged Staff 1 came into Youth A’s room
and called Youth A, “Bogue Ass Little Bitch Girl”. Youth A stated she went under her
bed with her face toward the wall and was crying. Youth A stated Staff 1 called for other
staff assistance to pull Youth A out from under the bed. Youth A stated she had some
song lyrics written on her arms and stomach from the day before that were violent or
self-harming in nature. Youth A stated the staff took a metal dinosaur and other objects
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out of Youth A’s room that they thought could be used by Youth A to self-harm. Youth A
described Staff 5 as grabbing Youth A’s legs, Staff 8 holding Youth A’s waistband, and
Staff 1 holding the back of Youth A’s shirt and they pulled Youth A out from under Youth
A’s bed. Youth A stated she was struggling, and resisting being pulled out from under
the bed. Youth A stated Staff 1 grabbed Youth A’s bra and shirt, and Youth A let go of
the bed, rolled onto her back, and tried to push them off her legs. Youth A stated they
then restrained Youth A with one staff putting their hand by Youth A’s head, which
Youth A said she bit. Youth A described Staff 5 on one arm, Staff 1 on one arm, and
Staff 8 on Youth A’s legs. Youth A stated she tried to lift her head and Staff 1 grabbed
Youth A’s neck and put Youth A’s head down. Youth A said she spit on Staff 1 and
Staff 1 let go of Youth A’s throat and punched the left side of Youth A’s head. Youth A
stated Staff 4 then came in and replaced Staff 1 who left the room. Youth A alleged
Staff 1 and Staff 4 pulled Youth A’s shirt over Youth A’s head and Staff 5 pulled the shirt
back down. Youth A stated there were no peer witnesses, but she did talk to Youth B
about it after the incident. Youth A stated she hasn’t seen Staff 1 since the incident until
recreation on 02/11/2021.
I interviewed Youth B at the facility on 02/12/2021 with State Worker 2. Youth B stated
Youth A was really irritated at the time of the incident, but Youth B didn’t know why.
Youth B stated somebody grabbed Youth A’s arm and Staff 1, Staff 4, and Staff 5
restrained Youth A. Youth B stated Youth A was resisting, but she couldn’t see what
they were doing. Youth B stated Youth A spit on them, but she didn’t see the staff do
anything inappropriate. Youth B stated she did see the bruise on Youth A’s neck and
scratches on Youth A’s arms following the incident. Youth B stated she tried to calm
Youth A following the incident.
I interviewed Staff 3 at the facility on 02/12/2021 with State Worker 2. Staff 3 stated she
was not involved in the restraint but did witness some of the event. Staff 3 stated Youth
A had stayed back, and Staff 5 and Staff 1 tried to talk to Youth A before trying to pull
Youth A out. Staff 3 thought Staff 1 was on one leg of Youth A, Staff 5 was on one side
and she didn’t remember who was on the other side of Youth A. Staff 3 stated Staff 1
did come out from the room wiping her face. Staff 3 stated she observed a mark on the
shoulder of Youth A but didn’t see any of the other marks on Youth A. Staff 3 stated
she did not see Staff 1 punch Youth A or grab the neck of Youth A. Staff 3 stated she
didn’t see any staff do anything inappropriate.
I interviewed Staff 4 at the facility on 02/12/2021 with State Worker 2. Staff 4 described
Staff 1 as holding the right arm of Youth A, Staff 5 have the left arm, and Staff 8 having
the feet of Youth A. Staff 4 stated he didn’t see Youth A do any self-harm but described
Youth A as twisting and spitting. Staff 4 described Staff 1 as red and upset. Staff 4
stated Staff 1 asked Staff 4 to switch out and Staff 1 left and never came back. Staff 4
stated he didn’t see any injury to Youth A or see any staff hit or kick Youth A. Staff 4
stated Youth A was seen by the nurse anyway. Staff 4 stated he did not see anything
inappropriate.
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I interviewed Staff 5 at the facility on 02/12/2021 with State Worker 2. Staff 5 stated she
got the call for assistance and when she came into the room, she was told Youth A had
a plastic fork in her mouth and Youth A was under her bed. Staff 5 stated Youth A had
a string under the bed. Staff 5 described Youth A as fighting and hitting the back of her
head on the floor. Staff 5 stated her, Staff 1, and Staff 8 were there at the time and
Youth A had a plastic fork balled up in Youth A’s mouth. Staff 5 said she had the left
arm of Youth A, Staff 1 had the right arm, and Staff 8 had the legs of Youth A. Staff 5
stated when Staff 4 entered Youth A’s shirt was up and they could see the writing on
Youth A’s stomach. Staff 5 said she didn’t see any injuries to Youth A and Youth A
didn’t allege any injuries. Staff 5 denied Staff 1 punched Youth A and Staff 5 denied
they lifted Youth A’s shirt up over Youth A’s head. Staff 5 stated she did not see
anything inappropriate by staff. Staff 5 stated a room search produced monopoly
pieces, string, and a fork in Youth A’s room.
I interviewed Staff 6 at the facility on 02/12/2021 with State Worker 2. Staff 6 stated
Youth A went under her bed and they asked Youth A to come out. Staff 6 stated she
did not see Youth A have anything to self-harm. Staff 6 stated she called for SST
because Youth A wouldn’t come out from under the bed. Staff 6 stated Youth A was
hitting her head on the floor and bed, kicking, and cussing. Staff 6 said she was telling
Youth A to stop. Staff 6 stated Youth A was upset over a cup of ice. Staff 6 stated
Youth A was restrained by three staff on the floor. Staff 6 stated Youth A was still
fighting and Youth A spit on Staff 1. Staff 6 stated Staff 1 told Youth A, “Bitch you spit
on me”. Staff 6 stated she did not see any staff hit, choke, or lift the shirt of Youth A.
Staff 6 stated she did not see any injuries to Youth A other than redness on Youth A’s
legs where they were held. Staff 6 stated she did not know if Youth A was seen by the
nurse following the incident, but the nurse comes in at 7:00 PM. Staff 6 denied seeing
the staff be inappropriate or too rough.
I interviewed Staff 1 at the facility on 02/12/2021 with State Worker 2. Staff 1 stated
Youth A was in Youth A’s room under the bed and could possibly self-harm. Staff 1
stated Youth A was noncompliant, and someone told Staff 1 that Youth A had a fork or
string. Staff 1 stated she observed Youth A holding a string in her hand near her neck.
Staff 1 stated they pulled Youth A out from under the bed and Youth A was struggling
and banging her head. Staff 1 stated she had the right arm of Youth A, Staff 5 had the
left arm, and Staff 6 and Staff 8 had the legs of Youth A. Staff 1 stated Youth A was
scratching, yelling, and spit in Staff 1’s face. Staff 1 stated Youth A’s shirt was pulled up
from Youth A squirming and struggling. Staff 1 said Staff 4 replaced Staff 1 after Youth
A spit in the face of Staff 1. Staff 1 said she left and denied calling Youth A “bitch” but
said Youth A called Staff 1 bitch and told Staff 1 Youth A would get Staff 1 fired. Staff 1
said Youth A was upset with Staff 1 from the previous day. Staff 1 denied punching
Youth A in the face and denied knowing about any bruises on Youth A. Staff 1 said the
nurse did see Youth A following the incident. Staff 1 stated a search of Youth A’s room
produced monopoly pieces and notes.
I interviewed Staff 7 at the facility on 02/12/2021 with State Worker 2. Staff 7 is the
nurse that Youth A described as a mother figure to Youth A. Staff 7 stated she saw
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Youth A following the incident for the nighttime med pass. Staff 7 stated Youth A did
not talk to Staff 7 about the incident or having any bruises. Staff 7 stated Youth A
usually talks to Staff 7 about any bruises but didn’t say anything and Staff 7 did not
notice anything.
The personnel record for Staff 1 indicated a number of disciplines related to attendance,
but nothing recent related to the treatment of residents. The training record indicated a
TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention) refresher training 09/10/2019 and Trauma
Informed Training completed 01/28/2020. The training record for Staff 5 included TCI
training 03/10/2020. The training record for Staff 8 and Staff 4 included TCI training
09/15/2020.
State Worker 2 interviewed the father of Youth A by telephone on 02/16/2021. Youth A’s
father reported the incident was discussed over a speaker phone with Staff 2 and Staff
2 stated Youth A’s injuries were consistent with what Youth A was reporting.
Assessment and collaboration with worker and family are used to identify each client’s
individual strengths and challenges. This comprehensive and integrated program uses
a trauma informed approach to individual treatment planning to ensure that each client’s
needs are met. The structured residential program emphasizes adolescent recovery
from various mental health disorders, CSC and related behavioral and community
challenges.
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• Five group sessions weekly, to include the following: substance abuse
prevention and education monthly; anger management; life skills development;
health living strategies; two specialized sessions focusing on stages of change,
emotional regulation, coping skills, disorder management, and relapse prevention
weekly.
• One family session with master’s level clinician monthly
• On site spiritual services
• Family case review meetings twice monthly with an assigned Wolverine
Permanency Specialist to support successful community reintegration and
encourage family participation/support.
The facility provides core skills training with staff as a part of their behavior
management system along with TCI training. Both components attempt to assist staff to
de-escalate a situation in order to avoid the use of physical management restraint
techniques. Identified core skills include Active Listening, ITCH Problem Solving
(Identify the problem-Think about possible solutions-Choose a solution to try-How well
does it work), Speed Maps and Checks, TIP Distress Tolerance Skills (Towards the
senses-Intense Exercise-Paced Breathing), CAPES Skills (Closeness-Accomplishment-
Physical activity-Enjoyment-Sleep hygiene), and CBT Chat Forms.
The TCI training curriculum also has a focus on ways to de-escalate a situation as well
as how and when to implement safe physical restraints.
APPLICABLE RULE
R 400.158 Discipline.
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APPLICABLE RULE
R 400.4109 Program statement.
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CONCLUSION: VIOLATION ESTABLISHED
APPLICABLE RULE
Rule 1(1) Prohibition of Prone Restraint; Procedures Involving Other
Restraints in Child Caring Institutions
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APPLICABLE RULE
R 400.4131 Compliance with child protection law; development of plan
required.
ANALYSIS: The findings of this investigation indicated this incident was not
reported consistent with the Child Protection Law and policy of
this facility. The facility policy states, “under Michigan Protection
Laws Wolverine Human Services must report any suspected
child abuse neglect for those youth under its care with 24 hours
to the Division of Child Welfare Licensing (DCWL) as well as to
Child Protective Services (CPS)…….. If in doubt whether to
report or not, employees will follow reporting guidelines and
consult with the head of their department / organization. Care is
to be taken to guarantee the safety of the child. Medical care as
well as notification of significant others are to be provided or
arranged immediately.”
IV. RECOMMENDATION
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03/08/2021
________________________________________
Mark R. Hunter Date
Licensing Consultant
Approved By:
3/17/2021
________________________________________
Franchesca Vega Date
DCWL Administrative Manager
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