Resident News Network

In late 2018, Governor Asa Hutchinson proposed sweeping changes to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. Briefly, those changes in phase I will include:

Revamping the assessment process so that youth get into treatment more quickly;
Moving to treatment plans that are developed by a robust treatment team and tailored to meet the needs of individual youth;
Engaging family members and aftercare providers, who will ensure the youth’s successful return to the community, from the outset for treatment planning.
Regularly reviewing treatment progress, required at least on three-month intervals
Providing progress reports of treatment to treatment team stakeholders.
Increasing the use of group homes for youth who do not need fence-secured treatment;
Closing the 23-bed Dermott Juvenile Treatment Center;
Merging the Colt and Harrisburg Juvenile Treatment Centers into one facility in Harrisburg;
Replacing the DYS information technology system known as Rite Track;
Revamping the oversight and monitoring programs to increase system integrity;
Requiring performance-based outcomes for youth as part of upcoming procurements for both our juvenile treatment centers and our aftercare programs, and expanding aftercare funding by $750,000 annually.

“We are working with the Youth Justice Reform Board, the juvenile judges, and others to identify long-term changes and improvements that can make a meaningful difference for our youth and their families,” Deputy Director Keesa Smith said.

Links:

DYS Transformation FactSheet

DYS Transformation Presentation

Currently, the state is accepting bids to contract the residential treatment facilities at Mansfield, Harrisburg, Dermott and Lewisville. Senator Terry Rice commented that he’s seen “privatization go really good and really bad.”

One former long time employee said the state never asked any opinions on what worked and what didn’t on the local level. “The procedures are a hinderance,” he added. “A three day advance notice to gain permission for a kid to go off campus from someone sitting in a cubicle in Little Rock is ridiculous…When the kids aren’t integrated they get a convict mindset.”

Community service, according to one longtime employee, increased morale and produced overall better behavior. “We used to go hiking and go to RazorFest. We would treat the kids to a meal during transport or as a reward for good behavior. That’s all been cut out.” Former MJTC employee Dana Adkins agrees. “The structure we had as a private sector was more military based, dress, hair and yes sir, no sir…I could take the kids out into the community and people saw them as nice young men.”

Compounding the problem is the inability for current administration and staff to answer direct questions from residents and city leaders. MJTC Director, Mark Barton, must direct all public comments about the facility through DYS in Little Rock.

Overall, the consensus is that the state needs to restore local control. “If they do it right, there are good jobs to be had and I dont want to see the place closed down,” concluded Rice.

Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black agrees. “I hope the facility remains open as it employs nearly 60 people and provides revenue.”

With the facility’s hardships and unknown future, those administrators and staff who remain, believe in the program and know that it works. As Adkins stated, “If it helps just one, then its worth it!”

MJTC: the Employee (part 7)

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Tammy Teague

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2:31 pm

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This is part seven in a series on the Juvenile Treatment Center, located just outside Mansfield. Throughout this series we will take an in-depth look into the program, find out what life is like for the offenders, workers and the impact it has on the area.

In this installment we will look at the impact the state takeover has had on the employees and what the future holds.

–See part 1

–See part 2

After the state takeover in 2016, former MJTC employee, Dana Adkins described the situation “as a powder keg ready to explode.” She and other long time employees dubbed the MJTC as top in the state at one time. However, she stated that over the past few years, it’s been in a “steady decline.”

So, what changes has the state implemented that has created this hardship? State Senator Terry Rice said the bureaucratic red tape is to blame. “Staff should be given what they need...” Rice has also been made aware of MJTC employees being forced to pay out of pocket for items such as toilet paper and gasoline. “I’m frustrated that they cannot get things done that need to be done,” he added. “Things like medical and dental decisions…there’s no reason why they have to be taken to Little Rock when we have local clinics who can take care of those needs.”

Currently, there are only two directors statewide that remain in those positions following the takeover. One of those is Mansfield Director, Mark Barton. Undoubtedly, Barton is the cornerstone of the facility and has seen great success within the program in the past.

The state classifies Barton and the other employees at the facility as “extra help.” Meaning that although they work for the state, they do not get the same benefits. “It’s demeaning,” said one former employee. “We have no grievance pathway… In July state employees got a raise, but ‘extra help’ did not.”

Low morale, burnout and low pay have led to a high turnover at the facility. “It’s a thankless job,” added the former longtime employee. “The state should be asking how they can help…It’s high mental stress dealing with these kids 12 hours a day .”

-Salary schedule for MJTC employees

-Salary schedule for DHS Senior Executives

Rice concluded, “we need professionals who can run the facility.” Currently, the state is accepting bids to contract the residential treatment facilities at Mansfield, Harrisburg, Dermott and Lewisville.

In the next and final installment, we will look at those proposed changes and benefits of privatization.

MJTC: Community Impact (part 6)

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Tammy Teague

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1:27 pm

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This is part six in a series on the Juvenile Treatment Center, located just outside Mansfield. Throughout this series we will take an in-depth look into the program, find out what life is like for the offenders, workers and the impact it has on the area.

In this installment we will look at the impact the facility has had on the community.

–See part 1

–See part 2

-See part 3

-See part 4

-See part 5

“One person (Director, Mark Barton) has always been a mainstay at the camp and as long as he’s there, I know the community will remain safe,” said one nearby resident.

With all the changes the state has implemented, it’s left the community wondering what’s happening behind the gate. This uncertainty has fueled concerns for safety and security. In the most recent escape from the MJTC, two of the four juveniles were captured in close proximity to the Mansfield Middle School and another was captured close to the elementary school.

“I found out about the escape on the news that morning,” said Mansfield Superintendent Robert Ross. “I knew they were looking for them in town and made the decision to put the school on lock down.”

Recently, Ross was able to express his frustrations to Governor Asa Hutchinson. “I informed him that this was not ok. To have to put our school on lock down for three hours is not good. It poses a danger to our schools and our students.” Ross admitted that someone dropped the ball on communicating with him on the escape. Additionally, Ross informed the governor that “the people you’re sending don’t fit the facility.”

The high stress situation this creates for the school and administrators also affects residents. Mansfield Mayor, Buddy Black said he will be addressing the issue of the school not being notified. “Either city hall or the police department will be communicating with the school.”

Black added that when the facility was privatized, it operated much more efficiently. “I take it seriously,” he said. “We have to address this…We have tougher people out there and I’m hoping it lands in the hands of a private contractor, which will help.”

It hasn’t always been this way, however. A former MJTC worker said when the kids were able to do community service, they developed a great rapport with the town and “the mayor knew some of the kids by their first name.”

The administrators and staff at the MJTC have felt the effects of these changes mandated by the state. In the next installment we will look at the impact it’s had on the employees.

Super, Blood, Wolf Moon seen clearly last night.

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Resident News Network

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1:04 pm

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Super, Blood, Wolf Moon seen clearly last night.

Photos by Donna J Cannady

Last night in the eastern sky you could see a “super blood wolf” moon. The phenomenon took place and peeked at 11:16pm CST. If you, like me, had the opportunity to witness this event you would have been able to watch in awe as the full moon turn blood red. During this event the full moon turned a rusty red, which is where the name “blood moon” comes from. This particular lunar eclipse, also happened to coincide with the “wolf moon”, which is the traditional name for the January full moon. Furthermore, because the moon was unusually close to Earth and so will be slightly bigger and brighter, making it a so-called “supermoon.”

In a lunar eclipse, the Earth casts a shadow on the moon. Total lunar eclipses are rare since the moon’s orbit is tilted. The moon usually glides above or below Earth’s cone-shaped shadow. They happen only during a full moon, and only when the sun, Earth, and moon are precisely aligned so that the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow completely covered the lunar disk. This usually happens twice a year and each total eclipse can be seen from only one hemisphere of Earth. The last total eclipse of the moon occurred on July 27, 2018, and was visible across Africa and parts of Asia. This year’s total eclipse was the first to be seen in its entirety in North America in nearly three and half years. If you missed this one will have to wait until May 26, 2021, for your next chance at viewing a blood moon.

Mansfield Sonic Closed for Renovations

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Tammy Teague

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12:45 pm

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The Mansfield Sonic has been closed down since Thursday, January 17, in an effort to renovate the building and it’s reputation.

“When I first came in I was not pleased,” said new Store Manager Krissy Rahmoeller. Adding, “It’s very clean now.”

After closing on Thursday, workers cleared out the building and a construction company came in to replace walls and put in new flooring. Rahmoeller noted that new equipment will also be brought in.

Currently, she plans to reopen on Friday. “I kept on some staff, those who really wanted to be here and be a part of the change,” Rahmoeller added. She said customers can expect a cleaner and friendlier store with faster service.

Rahmoeller has also managed the Booneville Sonic. Both Mansfield and Booneville are owned by the same franchise, the Joe Moore Sonic Group based in Oklahoma.

She said when she first came to Mansfield she couldn’t understand the reason behind the low sales. “I looked into it, and I understand, but I feel like we can build it back.” She communicated to upper management that in order to make a difference, “I have to prove to the community we’re cleaning house.”

Hackett Robotic Teams Take Top Awards

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Tammy Teague

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1:39 pm

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The winter weather kept the Hackett robotic teams from participating in the award ceremony, which was held Saturday, January 19. However, they were notified that both teams had won an award.

The Dabbin’ Dragons were named Rookies of the Year, and Team Terminator won second place for their presentation. Being awarded with these top honors is commendable, as this program is only in its second year of competition.

In the First Lego League competition, students are given a problem to solve. They must come up with a unique innovation (this year it was living in space). Students have to research and prove their innovation will work. The builders and coders must design and build a robot (made from Legos) then write computer code for the robot to complete 10 different missions.

At competition students must be interviewed by three panels of judges on Robot Design, Project/Innovation and Core Values while also competing in head to head robot games.

These competitions are intense. The students, coaches and team facilitator put in countless hours during and after school starting in August to be ready for regional competition in December and state competition in January.

“We are extremely grateful to all of them for the endless work they do for our teams,” said Hackett Elementary School Principal Tura Bailey. “Yes we are a small school but we compete on a big level! (31 teams from all across the state were involved in yesterday’s competition). Our robotics program is strong and only going to get stronger in the future! Again, congratulations Dabbin’ Dragons and Team Terminator! Your school (especially your principal) are extremely proud of you! Great things are happening at Hackett Elementary because of kids and teachers like you!”

AGFC Sponsors Swap Meet

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Tammy Teague

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1:05 pm

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The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is sponsoring a sporting goods swap meet at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road in Fort Smith on Friday, February 8 from 6-8 p.m.

Throughout the meet, you can buy, sell or trade old or new fishing, hunting and outdoor gear. No firearms, will be allowed at the swap meet.

Civic organizations, church groups and others are welcome to gather sporting items and have a table. For those simply looking to get rid of items, and do not wish to set up a table, they can donate those to the nature center.

To reserve a free vendor table or for more information, call the nature center or email [email protected]

MJTC: Safety and Security (part 5)

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Tammy Teague

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6:02 pm

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This is part five in a series on the Juvenile Treatment Center, located just outside Mansfield. Throughout this series we will take an in-depth look into the program, find out what life is like for the offenders, workers and the impact it has on the area.

In this installment we will look at the current and proposed safety measures at the facility.

–See part 1

–See part 2

-See part 3

-See part 4

At one time, the Mansfield Juvenile Treatment Center was secured by 10 foot tall fencing, which was topped with barbed and razor wire. That wire has since been removed. This, according to State Senator Terry Rice, in an effort to make the facility more “therapeutic.”

This was just one of the changes the state made when it took over in 2016. According to former employee, Dana Adkins, when the state took over, it fell into a steady decline.

“Little Rock is completely out of touch,” said one former, long time employee. “They tied administrators hands to the point that we could no longer make the local decisions that need to be made.”
The frustrations and bureaucratic red tape forced many of these long-time employees out.

The lack of security and ability for employees to effectively do their job has been among the chief concerns and complaints from MJTC workers. One of the former employees at the facility said that he’d been there long enough to know what worked, and being able to make behavior based decisions on punishments and rewards was very effective. “When it was ran by South Arkansas Youth Services (privatized), the staff was able to extend time for bad behavior, and allow good behavior privileges, such as extra helpings of food…You wouldn’t believe how much an extra biscuit and gravy meant to these kids. If it’s something they care about, they will police themselves.”

This was another change made following the state takeover. All options to allow for extra helpings of food and food during visitation have since been cut out.

“The former policy worked,” said a former MJTC worker. “If a kid is violent, they could be sent to a juvenile detention center. During that time we could get another kid to work with, one willing to work.”

Currently, officials in Little Rock make those decisions. And, some of those juveniles who escaped in December, are currently back at the facility. “The previous operator had the ability to move troubled youth from different sites under his control,” stated Rice. “It is demoralizing to have a repeat offender that they cannot correct or move out.”

Currently the ratio of staff to clients is 1:8 during the day and 1:10 at night. According to Adkins , that’s simply not sufficient. “There needs to be two staff members per eight clients on all shifts,” she added.

“The state is treading water to keep this thing going,” added Rice. “I told them at a meeting a few weeks ago that there is a need for more security…the state doesn’t know how to run a facility like this.”

According to Marcy Manley, DHS Deputy Chief of Communications, “staff are trained to recognize warning signs of potential aggression and intervene prior to a situation escalating. The training policy addresses the subject matter in which staff are to rely upon when interacting with youth. The DYS Use of Force policy specifically addresses how staff are to intervene with both verbal and nonverbal interventions.”

Currently, when there are altercations or disruptions at the facility, the shift supervisor makes the decision on when to involve law enforcement. The City of Mansfield Police Department, the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office and occasionally the Arkansas State Police are called on to help assist in restoring order.

“Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office answers calls for service to MJTC. Arkansas State Police, Criminal Investigations Division is responsible for anything past the calls for service that will require further investigation,” stated Captain Pevehouse with the SCSO. “Over the course of the last year, we have responded to three different matters where arrests were made. These range from batteries to escape. If a call is made to our office, a deputy or deputies will respond. He or she will gather the information and determine if a crime has taken place. If so, he or she will place the juvenile in custody and take them to our Juvenile Detention Center in Fort Smith. From there, the juvenile will be given a date in front of a judge and the judge will then decide the next step. If the deputy or deputies feel the information they received requires more investigation, the matter will be turned over to ASP CID…If there is an escape from the facility, SCSO will always respond to protect not only the juveniles from the facility, but also the public. We will stay engaged in looking for the juveniles until they are captured. Historically, their capture usually happens within 24 hours.”

Manley stated that if a juvenile escapes the MJTC, they “will be staffed for the most appropriate placement and possibly placed on a safety plan. They could be sent to a juvenile detention center for a timeout away from the facility or returned to the facility from which they absconded. They could also be transferred to an alternative program.”

Manley added that come July 1, the youth placed at Mansfield Juvenile Treatment Center will be 58 boys in a hardware-secure, fenced setting, ages 13-18 with moderate to high risk (aggression, flight risk, behavioral, and gang involvement).

These safety and security concerns are far reaching into the community and the school district. In the next installment, we will look at the impact the MJTC has on both.

When the Temps Drop, Take Steps to Protect Your Home

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Tammy Teague

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4:46 pm

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Locally, the temps are forecasted to drop into the teens overnight. With the threat of extreme temperatures, how can you protect your home?

Here are a few steps you can take:

Make sure all garden hoses are disconnected.
Cover outside faucets with insulating foam covers.
Turn off water to outside faucets, if available, and open valves on faucets to allow them to drain.
Close or cover foundation vents under house and windows to basements.
Close garage doors.
Insulate exposed pipes (both hot and cold) under house with foam pipe insulation.
Open cabinet doors under sinks.
Drip hot and cold faucets in kitchen and bath. Drip single control faucets with lever set in middle.
Set icemaker to make ice if the water line to it runs under the house.
Don’t forget to check on pipes to your washing machine in the laundry room
Locate water main cut-off valve, and have a cut-off key handy.
Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, electric heat tape, or a portable space heater to thaw frozen pipes that have not burst.
Keep the faucet open when thawing frozen pipes to allow water to begin flowing through it.
After the weather has warmed above freezing and any frozen pipes have thawed, turn off dripping faucets and monitor your water meter to check for unseen leaks. *Tips by Danny Lipford

Repairs are expensive, and in some cases, devastating. Take a moment and utilize these tips and keep your home protected.

Snow Ice Cream, Anyone?

Resident News Network

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1:48 pm

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The snow has finally fallen and it’s time to put the taste to the test of the snow! I’ve always been told don’t eat the first snow that falls; however, I’ve always been an impatient person. Even though we get many predictions for snow, we all know snowfalls in Arkansas are few and far between. So, I have survived always eating the first snow that falls!

So, bundle up and get ready to get some snow or send your kids out with a bowl and a spoon and gather some snow! Get ready to make snow ice cream!

Ingredients:

1 Large Bowl of Freshly Fallen Snow (approximately 8 to 10 cups of snow)

3 cups of Whole Milk

1 1/4 cups of Sugar

2 Tablespoons of Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

Gather snow in a large bowl. You want to be careful when scraping the snow that you do not get dirt, sticks and grass, especially if your kids are gathering for you! Now, come inside to mix up the ice cream.

Add milk first to your snow and stir. Next add sugar and vanilla extract. Stir until completely combined. Do not over stir or your ice cream will end up soupy. We like to add chocolate syrup and the kids love to add sprinkles and chocolate chips.

Extra: Whenever a snowfall is predicted and I make my normal panic run to the grocery store, I try to remember to pick up a can of sweetened condensed milk for snow ice cream. If you have a can of this, you can replace it for the sugar and only use 1 1/2 cups of Whole Milk instead. You will still need the vanilla extract. Taste test and add more sugar if you desire.

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RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK