63D-13.0051. Admission of Youth

(1) Prior to being accepted in the JAC for detention screening, each youth shall have an initial medical and mental health clearance using the Probation Medical and Mental Health Clearance Form. The JPO/Screener or other authorized staff shall evaluate the condition of each youth prior to being accepted into the JAC for detention screening. The Probation Medical and Mental Health Clearance Form (HS 051) is incorporated by reference in Rule 63M-2.0041, F.A.C.

(a) If the clearance process reveals one or more medical or mental health concerns, the law enforcement officer shall be informed immediately so that they can transport the child to the appropriate facility to be seen by a qualified health care professional.

(b) If the law enforcement officer disagrees with the resulting need for medical clearance or refuses to transport the youth to the appropriate facility, the JPO/Screener or other authorized staff shall provide the law enforcement officer with copies of Sections 985.115(2)(c)-(e), F.S., and the local interagency agreement. Both should be posted in a prominent place.

(c) If the disagreement has still not been resolved, the JPO/Screener shall contact the JPOS/Screener Supervisor, who shall contact the law enforcement officer’s supervisor. The department and law enforcement agency should subsequently resolve any issues of dispute following the appropriate chain of command.

(d) The Probation Medical and Mental Health Clearance Form shall be made a part of the packet of documents transferred to the detention center if the youth is eligible for, and is transported to, secure detention. A copy of the form shall be placed in the youth’s case file.

(2) During the initial JAC intake each youth shall be screened for suicide risk. The JPO/Screener shall administer the Suicide Risk Screening Inventory (SRSI) (MHSA 0024), that is incorporated by reference in Rule 63N-1.0051, F.A.C. The form shall be sent with the youth if he or she is admitted to secure detention. If the youth is released to the custody of the parent or legal guardian, then the parent or legal guardian must be provided the form entitled Suicide Risk Screening Parent/Guardian Notification (MHSA 003), that is incorporated by reference in Rule 63N-1.0092, F.A.C.

(3) There are circumstances where a youth who has already been admitted to the JAC becomes severely ill or injured while awaiting detention screening, transfer to detention, or release to the parent(s)/guardian(s). If it is obvious that the condition of the youth is severe or appears to be life threatening, the first person who becomes aware of the emergency shall call 911 immediately to request emergency medical services (EMS).

(a) If EMS determines that the youth requires prompt medical attention, the youth shall be immediately transported to the hospital via ambulance, regardless of his or her screening status.

(b) The JAC interagency agreement shall identify which staff shall accompany the youth, in the case of a youth not eligible for secure detention and remain at the hospital until the parent(s)/guardian(s) arrives.

(c) If the detention screening was completed and the youth was determined to be eligible for secure detention, then a security plan while in the hospital shall be implemented in accordance with the JAC interagency agreement.

(d) If the youth requires hospitalization and has not been screened for detention, the JPO/Screener shall collect sufficient information telephonically and by other sources to complete the DSI to make a preliminary determination as to the youth’s qualification for secure detention, supervised released, or release with no detention status.

(e) If the youth requires hospitalization, has been screened for detention, and is to be released, then the JPO/Screener or other authorized staff shall facilitate the release of the youth to the parent(s)/guardian(s), who shall then assume custody of the youth.

(f) If the youth requires hospitalization, has been screened for detention, and is awaiting transportation to the detention center, the JPO/Screener or other authorized staff shall contact the detention center superintendent or designee to inform them as to which hospital the youth has been transported. As part of this process, the detention center shall deploy detention center staff to the hospital as soon as possible, but no later than three hours after receiving notice of the medical emergency.

(4) Mental health or substance abuse emergencies may occur in the JAC after the custody of the youth has been accepted from law enforcement. Procedures shall be in place at the JAC to ensure that staff immediately contact emergency medical services (911) for youth who are believed to be an imminent danger to themselves or others because of mental illness or substance abuse impairment.

(a) Procedures shall be in place for contacting the designated law enforcement agency and arranging for transportation of a youth believed to be mentally ill from the facility to a mental health receiving facility when the youth appears to meet the criteria for involuntary examination set forth in Section 394.463, F.S.

(b) Procedures shall be in place for transporting a youth who is believed to be substance abuse impaired, for emergency admission to a hospital, licensed detoxification facility, or addictions receiving facility. If involuntary substance abuse admission is initiated under Section 397.675, F.S., a law enforcement officer may implement protective custody measures as described in Section 397.677, F.S., and take the youth to a hospital or licensed detoxification or addictions receiving facility.

Rulemaking Authority 985.64, 985.601 FS. Law Implemented 985.135 FS. History–New 5-4-20.