A contractor in charge of the safety and rehabilitation of Florida youth is accused of failing to maintain a secure environment, retain properly trained staff, report problems to the State, and even give teens enough food and personal hygiene products.
They’re claims brought forward by several former employees of Youth Services International, in a case that’s now led the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice to sever ties with the company- who held contracts amounting to tens of millions of dollars.
GALLERY: Teens cause widespread damage at Duval Academy
WOKV first told you Wednesday about the mediation which led to this separation. We've now obtained dozens of pages of legal documents highlighting some of the serious allegations. Two State lawmakers tell us that legal fight, in addition to our investigation in to ongoing problems at Duval Academy on Jacksonville's Westside, all contributed to the State's action.
Our investigation found a series of escapes over just a few days was blamed on a longstanding lack of training, severe maintenance backlog, and lax policies put in place by YSI- who manages the operation for the DJJ for a nearly $10 million, five year contract.
DETAILS: Escape of five teens facilitated by maintenance backlog
DETAILS: Poor training cited for escape of two teens from Duval Academy
While there was widespread corrective action, another batch of escapes happened months later, and the State had to freeze admissions while determining if youths were being "kept safe".
GALLERY: Teens flee cafeteria while staffer is distracted
The whistleblower claims center on some of the other facilities run by YSI in Florida, although one complainant had experience with facilities the company formerly ran in St. Johns County as well.
At the listed facilities, the former employees claimed firsthand knowledge of YSI submitting false claims to the State in order to make themselves look more favorable and to secure contracts with the DJJ. They further claim broadly that YSI submitted invoices and were paid for services that they didn’t provide.
While Duval Academy is not specifically mentioned, some of the whistleblower concerns mirror what WOKV uncovered, including that YSI failed to maintain required staffing ratios and failed to give staff mandated training.
SPEAKING OUT: Family of teen escapee says there was no choice
Other specific claims include that YSI didn’t provide mandated mental health and rehabilitative services, didn’t give proper medical and medication services, failed to report all incidents to the DJJ, and didn’t give adequate food and clothing to the teens.
YSI categorically denied the claims. Their filed defense only admits facts like that they operate the facilities. Any allegation of wrongdoing is negated.
The mediation agreement between all of the parties doesn’t admit any liability.
As part of the mediation, YSI is paying the State a one-time $2 million lump sum. In exchange, the State will dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice.
“We would like to thank Secretary Daly and the DJJ for their partnership in holding this provider accountable,” says a statement to WOKV from the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
All of YSI’s contracts will now be transitioned to a new provider in the next three months, but the mediation says YSI can assign the contracts, with DJJ approval. WOKV asked the DJJ why they’re still getting input from YSI and why they’re assigning the contracts instead of bidding them, but a Spokeswoman deferred us to a prior statement from the DJJ Secretary saying they will work to ensure the new providers live up to high standards.
I asked if there will be an increased oversight during the transition process, and was told that will take place.
WOKV will continue to track the progress in reassigning these programs.
