Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1)
Precautionary Observation shall be utilized as a Suicide Precaution method in
Detention Centers, residential commitment programs and day treatment
programs.
(2) A youth shall be
placed on Precautionary Observation if the youth is identified by intake
screening or staff observations as having Suicide Risk Factors, or is
determined to be a Potential Suicide Risk by an Assessment of Suicide Risk and
the youth's Suicide Risk Behaviors indicates that his/her condition requires
observation and monitoring beyond that which is normally provided, but is not
in need of Secure Observation. Precautionary Observation shall not be used for
youth who present an Imminent Threat of Suicide. Such youth shall be referred
for emergency mental health services as set forth in Rule 63N-1.011,
F.A.C.
(3) A youth on Precautionary
Observation shall be limited to activities in the safe housing areas in the
facility or program. The safe housing areas must meet the following
specifications:
(a) The areas must be designed
to eliminate or prohibit devices or materials which might aid in self-harm such
as devices or materials which would enable a youth to hang him/herself, sharp
objects which could be used to inflict physical damage to self or others or
materials or substances which would enable the youth to burn or poison
him/herself.
(b) The areas must be
immediately accessible to the direct care staff maintaining Constant
Supervision of the youth.
(c) The
safe housing areas shall not limit the youth's activity to an individual cell,
whether locked or unlocked, or a confinement room of any kind, nor shall it
restrict a youth to his/her sleeping room as a suicide precaution.
(d) The safe housing areas of the facility
shall be regularly inspected to ensure that the area is safe and secure.
Documented daily safety/security checks of the facility will suffice as an
inspection provided that the daily safety/security checks include the areas of
the facility designated for Precautionary Observation.
(4) The At Risk youth shall be permitted to
participate in selected activities with other youths in the DJJ
facility/program while being maintained on Precautionary Observation.
(5) Youth Placement on Precautionary
Observation.
(a) The superintendent/program
director or designee shall confer with the facility's Designated Mental Health
Clinician Authority or Licensed Mental Health Professional as to the whether
Precautionary Observation is appropriate for a specific youth.
(b) When the decision has been made to place
a youth on Precautionary Observation, the superintendent/program director or
designee shall identify in writing the specific safe housing areas of the
facility and activities which the youth will be allowed to utilize, based upon
the individualized needs of the youth. The safe housing areas of the facility
and activities will be documented on the Suicide Precautions Observation Log
(MHSA 006, August 2006) which is incorporated by reference and is available at
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-03790,
or may be obtained by contacting: DJJ, Office of Health Services, 2737
Centerview Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399.
(6) Youths placed on Precautionary
Observation shall receive Mental Health Supportive Services, based upon the
individualized needs of the youth as determined by the Mental Health Clinical
Staff Person. Mental Health Supportive Services shall be documented in the
youth's Active Mental Health/Substance Abuse File and reviewed and signed by a
Licensed Mental Health Professional if provided by a non-licensed Mental Health
Clinical Staff Person.
(7)
Supervision Requirements for Precautionary Observation.
(a) The staff person assigned to monitor the
youth in a Precautionary Observation area shall maintain One-to-One Supervision
or Constant Supervision of the youth and document his/her observations of the
youth's behavior on the Suicide Precautions Observation Log (MHSA 006) at 30
minute intervals. The Suicide Precautions Observation Log (MHSA 006) is
reviewed and signed by the shift supervisor each shift and by a Mental Health
Clinical Staff Person daily.
(b)
The shift supervisor is responsible for ensuring that a listing of youths
currently placed on Precautionary Observation is passed on to the next shift,
and that any concerns or observations regarding youths on Precautionary
Observation shall be documented and communicated to the next
shift.
(8)
Discontinuation of Precautionary Observation.
(a) The Assessment of Suicide Risk findings
and recommendations must be reviewed by the superintendent/program director or
designee and Licensed Mental Health Professional. Based upon the Assessment of
Suicide Risk findings, the Licensed Mental Health Professional and facility
superintendent/program director or designee will determine whether Suicide
Precautions are continued.
(b) If
the Assessment of Suicide Risk findings and recommendations indicate the need
for continued Suicide Precautions, the youth shall be maintained on
Precautionary Observation until subsequent Follow-Up Assessment of Suicide Risk
indicates Suicide Precautions may be discontinued and the facility
superintendent, program director or and the Licensed Mental Health Professional
concurs with the findings.
(c) If
the Assessment of Suicide Risk or Follow-Up Assessment of Suicide Risk findings
and recommendations indicate Suicide Precautions can be discontinued, and
deemed appropriate by the Licensed Mental Health Professional and
superintendent or program director or designee, the youth may be removed from
Precautionary Observation and transitioned to normal routine as specified in
Rule 63N-1.00953, F.A.C.
(d)
Discontinuation of Precautionary Observation and supervision upon removal from
Precautionary Observation shall be documented by Mental Health Clinical Staff
and superintendent/program director, or designee, on the Assessment of Suicide
Risk Form (MHSA 004) or the Follow-Up Assessment of Suicide Risk Form (MHSA
005), as applicable.
(9)
Youths removed from Precautionary Observation shall continue to be monitored
during the transition back into the facility/program's normal routine, until
deemed stable by the facility's Designated Mental Health Clinician Authority or
Licensed Mental Health Professional. The procedures set forth in Rule
63N-1.00953, F.A.C., shall be followed.
Rulemaking Authority 985.64(2) FS. Law Implemented
985.601(3)(a), 985.14(3)(a), 985.145(1), 985.18, 985.48(4), 985.64(2)
FS.
New 3-16-14.
