63G-2.014. Definitions

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings indicated:

(1) Activity Schedule – The calendar of events regulating the youth’s daily routine in a secure detention facility.

(2) Admission – The process of placing a youth in secure detention status in the Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS). In addition, the act of physically placing a youth in a secure detention facility.

(3) Admission Officer – The officer performing the admission of a youth to secure detention.

(4) Assistant Superintendent – The person second in command responsible for the operation of a designated juvenile detention center.

(5) Attempted Escape – An action toward the commission of the criminal offense of escape. An attempted escape in a physically secure facility means the youth did not breach the facility’s perimeter fence, or during transport the youth remained within the supervision of staff.

(6) Behavior Management System – A system that tracks youth behavior and provides incentives and rewards for positive behavior.

(7) Behavioral Confinement – Placement of a youth in a secure room during situations in which a youth’s onset of behavior imminently and substantially threatens the physical safety of others or compromises security.

(8) Capacity – The maximum number of youths the facility is capable of housing safely and securely.

(9) Cavity Search – A search of the youth involving physical examination of the body cavities (i.e., the mouth, ears, nose, anus and vagina) by trained medical personnel in a hospital setting.

(10) Census Counts – Process used to physically count each youth in the facility to ensure the number of youths in the facility is consistent with the number of youths the data system indicates are in the facility.

(11) Central Communications Center (CCC) – A 24-hour per day, 7-day per week system to which incidents occurring at state or contract operated facilities or programs are reported.

(12) Classification – The identification and placement of youths in facility housing and programming based upon a classification matrix.

(13) Close Supervision – The observation by a staff member assigned to monitor a youth at intervals not to exceed five minutes throughout the youth’s stay in his/her room and/or sleeping area. Visual checks must be made of the youth’s condition (i.e., outward appearance, behavior, and position in the room) at intervals not to exceed five minutes.

(14) Codes – Colors and/or numbers that are used as standard communication codes to ensure fast, accurate, and universal communication in detention facilities.

(15) Confinement Report – The form used to document the occurrence of a youth being placed in behavioral confinement. The confinement report is available within the computerized Juvenile Justice Information System: Facility Management System.

(16) Constant Supervision – The continuous and uninterrupted observation of a youth by a staff member who has a clear and unobstructed view of the youth and unobstructed sound monitoring of the youth at all times. Constant supervision shall not be accomplished through video/audio surveillance. Video/audio surveillance shall be used only to supplement physical observation by staff.

(17) Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) – A plan that provides for the continuity of mission essential functions of a juvenile detention center in the event an emergency prevents occupancy of its primary physical plant or facility.

(18) Contraband – Those items or materials which, either by their original design, or through alterations made to them, could be used to compromise the safety and security of the facility (illegal items, sharps, escape paraphernalia, drugs, devices, unauthorized food or beverages, metals, cell phones, keys or any item deemed unsafe, or a threat to facility security).

(19) Corrective Action Plan (CAP) – A plan that addresses the correction and/or tracking of issues affecting facility operations and staffing.

(20) Cost of Care Recovery – Fees ordered by the court for the care, support and maintenance of the youth while detained in a state-operated facility.

(21) Department – The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

(22) Designated Health Authority (DHA) – The DHA shall be a physician (MD) who holds an active, unrestricted license pursuant to Chapter 458, F.S., or an osteopathic Physician (DO) who holds an active, unrestricted license under Chapter 459, F.S., and meets all requirements for practice in the State of Florida. The Physician must be either Board Certified in Pediatrics, Family Practice or Internal Medicine (with experience in adolescent health) or Board-Eligible and have prior experience in treating the primary health care needs of adolescents. A Psychiatrist who holds an unrestricted license under Chapter 458 or 459, F.S., may serve as the DHA of a facility that provides specialized mental health services, as long as the Psychiatrist has current experience in medically treating the physical health care needs of adolescents. The DHA shall be either a state employed or contract Physician accountable for ensuring the delivery of administrative, managerial and medical oversight of the facility health care system. Corporate physicians, who do not perform clinical/administrative duties on-site, shall not be the Designated Health Authority. The DHA shall ultimately be responsible for the provision of necessary and appropriate health care to youth in the care of a detention center.

(23) Designated Mental Health Clinician Authority – A Licensed Mental Health Professional who, through employment or contract, is responsible for ensuring appropriate coordination and implementation of mental health and substance abuse services in a departmental facility.

(24) Detention Screener – The individual who completes the detention screening and ensures proper paperwork is present to correctly screen a youth for detention.

(25) Detention Youth Supervision Matrix – A classification matrix form designed to set the minimum definitions, characteristics, and requirements of supervision for youth within a facility. The Detention Youth Supervision Matrix (DS 101 August 2020) is incorporated by reference into this rule and is available electronically at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12173.

(26) Disaster Plan – A plan that addresses a detention facility’s response to potential disaster or emergency situations.

(27) Disturbance – Any situation resulting in the loss of control of youth in a facility or program that necessitates calling in local law enforcement, other outside sources, and “all available staff” to assist in quelling the disturbance and getting the facility back under control regardless of whether there are any resulting injuries.

(28) Documentation – The act or instance of supplying electronically or manually prepared material, references, or records.

(29) Escape – Any incident involving a youth who leaves the grounds or fenced boundaries of a secure detention facility while not in the custody of staff or who is detained in such a place and leaves the custody of facility staff when outside the facility, must be reported as an escape regardless of the length or duration of the departure.

(30) Facility Management System (FMS) – The computer based system used by state-operated juvenile detention centers as the primary source of documentation and reporting for facility operations. Forms and reports generated by FMS are considered to be both the official and original documentation.

(31) Facility Operating Procedures (FOP’s) – Detailed procedures that operationalize and implement Rules 63G-2.013-.026, F.A.C., within a specific facility.

(32) Florida Child Abuse Hotline – Serves as the central reporting center for allegations of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation for all children and vulnerable adults in Florida. The Hotline Number is 1(800)96-ABUSE.

(33) Frisk Search – A physical search of the person involving the passing of hands over the person’s outer clothing.

(34) Grievance – A written complaint by a youth in a secure juvenile detention center.

(35) Grievance Procedure – A process for addressing youths’ grievances in secure detention centers.

(36) Group Punishment – The punishment of a group of youths for the behavior of a few.

(37) Inactive Files – File material resulting from a youth’s previous detention placement.

(38) Incident Report – A report used to document the occurrence of an event that is disruptive to the daily operation of a facility. The incident report is available within the computerized Juvenile Justice Information System: Facility Management System.

(39) Incident Reporting – An occurrence or situation that requires notification to the CCC, Administration, Florida Child Abuse Hotline, or Law Enforcement.

(40) Individual Healthcare Record – The permanent departmental file containing the unified cumulative hard-copy collection of clinical records, histories, assessments, treatments, diagnostic tests which relate to a youth’s medical, mental health, substance abuse, developmental disability, behavioral health and dental health, which have been obtained to facilitate care or document care provided while the youth is in a detention center.

(41) Juvenile Justice Detention Officer (JJDO) – An Officer responsible for the direct supervision of the youth in secure detention.

(42) Juvenile Justice Detention Officer Supervisor (JJDOS) – An Officer responsible for the direct supervision of other JJDO officers in the performance of their duties.

(43) Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS) – The Department’s electronic information system used to gather and store information on youths having contact with the Department.

(44) Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO) – An Officer that serves as the primary case manager for the purposes of managing, coordinating and monitoring the services provided and sanctions required for youths on probation, post-commitment probation or conditional release supervision. In this chapter, whenever a reference is made to the tasks and duties of a JPO, it shall also apply to case management staff of a provider agency contracted to perform these duties and tasks.

(45) Learning Management System (LMS) – System used for the delivery of online learning courses and the tracking and management of computer-based and instructor-led training.

(46) Legal Guardian – A person lawfully invested with the power, and charged with the obligation, of taking care of and managing the property and rights of a person who, because of age, understanding, or self-control is considered incapable of administering his or her own affairs.

(47) Level 1 Vocational Programs – These programs are pre-vocational and shall include provision of counseling or instruction contributing to personal accountability skills and behaviors appropriate for youth in all age groups and ability levels that lead to work habits with youth competencies.

(48) Logbook – A written format for communication and record keeping in a secure detention facility.

(49) Master Control – A centralized location within a detention facility where all operational functions are monitored and observed. It is the central security focal point in the facility for both communication and tracking of youth movement.

(50) Module/Mod – A living unit inside a secure detention facility designed for housing youth.

(51) Mechanical Restraints – This includes restraint devices such as metal handcuffs, leg cuffs, waist chains and zip ties.

(52) Medical Confinement – The placement of a youth in a secure room to allow youth to rest and recover from illness and/or prevents the spread of a communicable illness (i.e. flu, H1N1 virus, etc.). The use of medical confinement is not intended as punishment or discipline and is ordered by the DHA.

(53) One-to-One Supervision – The supervision of one youth by one staff member who must remain within five feet of the youth at all times. The staff member must maintain constant visual and sound monitoring of the youth.

(54) Precautionary Observation – A suicide precaution method that provides for the constant supervision of a suicide risk youth in designated observation areas of the facility that are safe and secure.

(55) Property Custodian – Superintendent or designee responsible for oversight of the youth’s property.

(56) Protective Action Response (PAR) – The Department-approved verbal and physical intervention techniques and the application of mechanical restraints used in accordance with Chapter 63H-1, F.A.C.

(57) Quality Improvement System (QI) – The process authorized by Section 985.632, F.S., governing the assessment of a program’s operation, management, governance, and service delivery based on established standards.

(58) Regional Director – The Department employee responsible for the supervision of the Superintendents of the state-operated juvenile detention centers in a specified region. This person also provides direct oversight and technical assistance to all secure detention facilities in a specified region.

(59) Release – The removal of a youth from detention status.

(60) Right Interactions (PAR) Report – The form used to document the occurrence of an event where an employee has used one of the physical intervention techniques.  The Right Interactions (PAR) Report is incorporated in Chapter 63H-1, F.A.C. 

(61) Secure Detention – A physically restrictive facility for the housing of youth pending adjudication, disposition, placement or by court order.

(62) Security Devices – Devices, both mechanical and electrical, that enhance security in the facility.

(63) Sexual Misconduct – Any act of sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment.

(64) Special Needs Supervision – Any youth admitted who is age 9 years or younger or a youth that has an emotional handicap, a physical handicap, or has developmental delays is placed on Special Needs Supervision. The supervision requires one staff to one youth supervision at all times.

(65) Standard Supervision – The required visual observations of the youth’s condition (i.e., outward appearance, behavior, and position in the room) while in his or her room at intervals not to exceed ten minutes.

(66) Strip Search – A visual check of a youth without clothing. A strip search shall be conducted in a private area with two staff members present, both of the same sex as the youth being searched.

(67) Suicide Precautions – Use of Precautionary Observation or Secure Observation for supervising, observing, monitoring and housing youth who have been identified as a potential suicide risk. Suicide Precautions require that specific action be taken within a DJJ facility or program to protect a youth considered  at risk of suicide or potential self injury.

(68) Suicide Prevention Tool – A tool utilized in DJJ facilities to cut the youth free from material used in a suicide attempt.

(69) Superintendent – The Department employee responsible for the operation of a designated juvenile detention center.

(70) Supervision – The direct care, custody, and control of youths while in detention status.

(71) Visual Observation Report (VOR) – The form used to document the frequency of supervision checks conducted by juvenile detention staff as well as the juvenile detention staff’s observations of the youth’s behavior and activities during confinement. The VOR is available within the computerized Juvenile Justice Information System: Facility Management System.

(72) Work Order System – Documentation of efforts made to address preventative and corrective mainteance needs.

(73) Youth – Any youth ordered into secure detention status.

Rulemaking Authority 985.601(9)(b) FS. Law Implemented 985.601(9) FS. History–New 8-9-15, Amended 11-22-20.