Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > The Troubled Teen Industry

tampa bay academy

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Anonymous:
So let me get this right. It was the staff who attacked by the kids? Kids having sex with each other? Does this sound right, or
did they get caught screwing around and then BLAME the kids. Somthing here don't jive.

Ursus:

--- Quote from: "none-ya" ---So let me get this right. It was the staff who attacked by the kids? Kids having sex with each other? Does this sound right, or
did they get caught screwing around and then BLAME the kids. Somthing here don't jive.
--- End quote ---
Probably all of the above. This place has changed ownership, management, and operating philosophy a number of times over the course of its existence. Moreover, the local government agency responsible for oversight also changed during that same time period.

A number of former staff weighed in as to the currently dire state of affairs in the comments section of that article (see next post). Since that is but one point of view, take it for what it's worth and read between the lines...

Ursus:
Comments for the above article, "State Orders Children Removed From Tampa Bay Academy" (by Adam Emerson; The Tampa Tribune; Dec. 17, 2008):


Posted by ( SRutherford ) on 12/17/2008 at 06:17 pm.
While this article looks bad, I worked at this facility for 10 years and it has helped thousands of kids. They also run a group home and charter school on site that are still running well. It is interesting that TBA only makes the news when something like this happens. They never cover the kids that go on to college, or the kids that were severely abused in their homes and have gone on to live productive lives because of what this facility is able to do for them. I hope that Administration that decided on this removal of children is looking to help correct any issues by working with TBA and not just slamming their doors shut. The State of Florida needs this type of facility. Perhaps some changes need to occur, but this facility has had a great reputation for many years. Let's fix it, not quit on it.Posted by ( whoorah8 ) on 12/17/2008 at 06:30 pm.
SRutherford - I worked for the state for 6 yrs & they are supposed to keep tabs on places licensed through the state. Looks like the state fell short with this group. I agree fix it, don't quit it.Posted by ( SRutherford ) on 12/17/2008 at 08:07 pm.
It frustrates me when the state does not make comments like "this place can and will be a great place for kids again, and we will work with them to assure that that happens". Nope, they can only use strong superlatives like "gross mismanagement". Did they ever state, "The incredible work that they did with that child that allowed him to go to college". They have no idea what good they have done over there. If they do, they certainly have never made comments like these when things go well.Posted by ( Claylisa ) on 12/17/2008 at 08:19 pm.
SRutherford..unfortunately there is NO money in "positive news stories". I understand you frustration. I highly doubt that they've been around for 20 years and haven't been doing something right.Posted by ( Whackamole ) on 12/17/2008 at 09:26 pm.
I worked there when it first opened and they were taking kids who were railroaded in by their parents just because they have good insurance coverage. We were trained to offset assaults by residents, what happened to that training if a staff was sexually assaulted? :0 Posted by ( Whackamole ) on 12/17/2008 at 09:30 pm.
Oh, and the first few months they were in business, they faced a lawsuit by parents of a child who suffered a head injury.Posted by ( mcmurphy7 ) on 12/17/2008 at 09:44 pm.
That's what happens when you just privatize for the sake of lobbyist cash... right Jeb? Posted by ( bucsrock ) on 12/17/2008 at 10:00 pm.
It doesn't matter if they have been around a billion years and never did anything wrong,....this is wrong!!! Get control now!!!Posted by ( justice33 ) on 12/17/2008 at 10:03 pm.
It is so very unfortunate that this situation occurred. However, the other unfortunate thing is that the Group Homes as this same facility are also practicing "gross mismanagement". There may have been a time when the Group Home facility was providing adequate support to both the staff as well as the residents. It is very safe to say that presently not only are the residents being bribed on a consistent basis but the employees are being treated very unfairly by the group Home Manager, Director as well as the Human Resources Director. The Human Resources Director should be an advocate for the employees. However, due to the lack of communication between all levels of management and the employees, several commendable employees have lost their jobs due to retaliation by higher level management. Employees are in fear of loosing their jobs after witnessing the discharge of other reputable employees due to their attempt to get fair treatment.Posted by ( i2021 ) on 12/17/2008 at 10:38 pm.
I have personal knowledge of the facility and the RTC in particular. These are just some of the issues being investigated. TBA may have helped some kids, but it is horribly managed and some of the doctors associated with it are nothing more than dope dealers that push psychotropic meds on children.Posted by ( SRutherford ) on 12/17/2008 at 10:45 pm.
Whackamole, if I am not mistaken, the head injury you are speaking of occurred during a fun athletic activity and the child broke his neck but did return to finish his treatment at the facility. It is comments like this that are misleading and cause people to believe that it is a bad place. And justice33, perhaps some people have lost their jobs as a result of situation like the ones mentioned in this article. Perhaps the terminations were justified and they were made for the safety of the children at the facility. But perhaps you are correct and changes need to occur. Whatever is wrong should be righted because this place is a great place for kids, when run properly. I know, I helped hundreds.Posted by ( SRutherford ) on 12/17/2008 at 10:48 pm.
mcmurphy7, this facility has been around long before Jeb was governor.Posted by ( mcmurphy7 ) on 12/17/2008 at 11:14 pm.
SRutherford--that's correct, it has. But it was PRIVATIZED while Jeb was governor and that's my point. Perhaps it wasn't clear enough for you to understand. Privatization isn't ALWAYS the most efficient and least expensive way. But legislators and elected officials don't care about that because the "privateers" kick back enough money to them to keep them shut up.Posted by ( MikeForrest ) on 12/18/2008 at 12:41 am.
So what happens to the kids who assaulted the staff ? I hope the Sheriff's investigation is aimed at arresting the sex offenders. It's a shame that kids who are criminals get put into the same facility with kids who really need help. That shows the whole system is broken, and Tampa Bay Academy is only part of the problem.Posted by ( SRutherford ) on 12/18/2008 at 07:21 am.
mcmurphy7 The facility has always been privately owned and operated. I personally know the original owners. This was never a state run facility.Posted by ( SRutherford ) on 12/18/2008 at 08:59 am.
Deepfriedride, do you know the number of kids in this program that do not have families? I suspect you do not. I suspect a large number of these kids are in state custody and have been placed there because they are not able to be maintained in foster homes or group homes. Where would you like these kids to go. I agree, there appears to be some issues with that facility and they need to be fixed immediately so that these kids that have no other place to go, have a safe nurturing environment to go. While it is obvious that these issues need to be addressed, it should also be addressed that the state needs this place before these kids are put back in the community with the same issues that brought them there in the first place.Posted by ( concernedparent2009 ) on 12/18/2008 at 09:53 am.
Obviously bucsrock and deepfriedride have never had to deal with an emotionally disabled child. One who is out of control through no fault of their own or no fault of their parents but due to chemical and physiological imbalances. While these allegations are horrible, TBA is not all bad. They have an outstanding program and the counselors and staff are A+ in my book. How do I know this? My child was placed there through the group home program and is a success. My child pulled up their grades, improved their behavior and was finally stabalized with the right medication. Anyone who has a child on psychotropic medication knows how hard it is to get the right medication and dosage. TBA does not need to be closed but they need to reorganize and get reinstated. Florida has a severe shortage of these type of treatment facilities and with all the state budget cuts, it will only get worse. TBA needs help and I pray that the state will come through.Posted by ( TACT1 ) on 12/18/2008 at 11:41 am.
This is truly sad. Everyone must be accountable for the well being of these children. I was one of the original members of this facility and brought the very first child for admission in my own car. Someone previously mentioned that a lawsuit was filed against TBA in the first year of business due to head injury. This was true but nothing like it seems. The child jumped off the stage in the gym onto a giant "Earth Ball" and propelled himself into the iar, thus falling on his head. Truly an accident that was handled very well by TBA management.

My intention is not to defend TBA in response to the current situation. I know TBA is not what it used to be when the original owners had control. YFCS has not provided the needed safety for these children and staff. They changed the complete approach and philosphy, including the physical management of aggressive behavior. Good caring people have left this agency over the years because of feeling unsafe for the children and themselves. These types of facilities are truly needed but must be held accountable. They must provide the needed safety and security of their children and staff. The environment must be stable for the needed treatment that was once truly provided.

I to have seen many children leave this facility over the years and lead productive independent lives. They came to this facility completely out of control with no direction in their lives. I hope this will happen again!!Posted by ( TACT1 ) on 12/18/2008 at 12:26 pm.
Many of you know me. Like some of you we have left blood, sweat, and tears at TBA. I have devoted my life to providing safe environments for all clients in healthcare. Creating new standards for safety and security through the Governing bodies (JCAHO/CMS).

Providing the therapeutic environment for these children to feel safe is the first step in their ability to recive treatment. Unfortunetly, this requires quality training and supervision by people that know what they are doing. The laws are pretty clear in that if someone is endangering themselves or others they must be stopped. There is no room for passivity and questions about liability. When you admit children with aggressive behaviors you must have a plan to address these issues. You can't allow them to continue these same aggressive behaviors toward themselves and others and expect them to just go away. Staff must feel empowered to control these behaviors as part of the treatment plan and not feel threatened that management will fire them for putting their hands on the children.

I don't feel that restraint is the answer to these children's problems but the issue is truly safety. Restraint when done appropriately by well trained staff can have significant therapeutic value.

The bottom line is that these behaviors were never acceptable at TBA in the early years and the children felt safe. When the environment is out of control no treatment is happening.Posted by ( Mother47 ) on 12/18/2008 at 01:25 pm.
SRutherford I agree with alot of what you have said this facility has helped alot of children and because of the facility they have shown the children how to be respectable people in the community. My Daughter is employeed at TBA and has been for 10years. She has mentioned on several occassions how you have to be a special person to work with the challenging children that are there. She has also mentioned that everyone who has been employeed there may not fit with the type of chldren that are there. She has mentioned how hard it has been for some of the children and how they have been physically or mentally abusive by family members or being in a foster home. My daughter has also mentioned that there are times when a situation has happen and the police were called they would do nothing. They tell the staff that there was nothing for them to do and that is why the child is at the facility. So when it comes to being unsafe for the patients/staff and the police are called to assist and they don't help then what is the facility to do? I believe what they have been doing is to continue to keep the children and staff as safe a possible. My daughter has mentioned that in the last two years things have change with the adminstrative staff and they see things differently than the CEO(Mr. EH)who started the facility. I know that he really cared for the children and the staff. Now with new people in charge things change and I hope that they see what they need to do to make the facility the way it use to be. We need this facility to remain in the county to continue to help as many children as possible. The facility is also aware that they can't save/help them all but they have saved a whole lot of them. I hope that YCFS will use the old good staff to help train the new ones and get them to see how they can make a difference and keep everyone as safe as possble. For the people who are negative as SRutherford have stated: have you ever been at the facility to see the difference that has been made with the children or do you even have children with the difficultives these children have. It's not easy and if there are difficult parents as well it really is not easy to help.The staff enjoy working with the patient's there and if they didn't they would not have staff there has long as they have my daughter is one of them.Posted by ( SRutherford ) on 12/18/2008 at 02:22 pm.
TACT1, I was just telling someone last night that they need someone like you to return to TBA to help fix this. It is heartbreaking to know that a facility that, like you said, we put so many years of blood sweat and tears into is now looked at in the light that it is. I am in contact with many of the people that worked there back then and all of them feel the same. Things need to improve over there, and they need to re-evaluate their program. Behavior management is just that, managing ones behavior. Without the tools and support allowing highly qualified and trained staff to do that, the faclity will fail. Liability is a huge issue in this country. But it has been put ahead of the safety of the children. That was not the foundation TBA was built on. Enough from me, hopefully the state and the powers that be in TBA will fix whatever they need to fix and return it to what it once was. The best RTC in Florida.Posted by ( TACT1 ) on 12/18/2008 at 03:03 pm.
I would love to see the old crew come back and fix this. Unfortunetly, we are not as young as we used to be. EH and I were just emailing each other about that very issue.

We can only hope that the State and YFCS gets on top of this. Children need this level of care.Posted by ( justice33 ) on 12/18/2008 at 04:22 pm.
Keep in mind that the group home could be ran more diligently with the appropriate management. You are right in the some of the staff members are not competent enough to provide these residents with the consistent support and dedication needed in order for then to get through their treatment. I should also mention that some of the staff that have become targets are staff that have provided the proper consistency care needed. I have witnessed first hand that the staff members that have the capability of minimizing the number of incidents in any particular house end up in some type of investigation leading to them being removed from the house that they have effectively helped many of the residents cope with their behavioral or psychological disorders if you will. Upper level management have put male staff in an all female house when there have been plenty of female staff to accommodate staffing the female houses. This is a new practice. Management has made working in the group homes very uncomfortable for so many of the staff. The staff is walking around on eggshells due to the lack of support from their management.Posted by ( justice33 ) on 12/18/2008 at 05:41 pm.
srutherford-Does your daughter currently work in the group homes?Posted by ( apple_red ) on 12/18/2008 at 06:19 pm.
I have a family member who was placed in TBA. She got the help she needed, but she says the conditions were deplorable. The staff that runs the halls were ridiculous and subpar, and she saw abuse happening right before her eyes...but nobody said anything about it, it was seen as typical. TBA was rooming severely ill children with even MORE severely ill children UNDER A DYSFUNCTIONAL STAFF WHO COULD NOT DO THEIR JOBS AT KEEPING AN EYE ON THEM AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE OK. This is where TBA went wrong; good intentions or not, the people watching the kids failed and destroyed lives. Thank GOD this place was shut down...no more kids can be abused there.Posted by ( SRutherford ) on 12/18/2008 at 07:20 pm.
justice33, no my daughter does not work there. I no longer work there either. I did many years ago. A different time. I hope that this facility can get back to what made it good. I hope that all of you hope that. Employees, students, parents, former students, former employees. I hope that everyone pulls for this facility to be what it can be, and I hope that the state recognizes that as well. It is the State of Florida that has placed a lot of children there because of their faith and trust in the program. It should be the state that works with them to restore that.Posted by ( RiverviewRaysfan ) on 12/18/2008 at 07:35 pm.
One of the things that seem to be forgotten in this whole story is that these children that are being treated at Tampa Bay Academy, are usually victims of some kind of abuse, many of the times the abuse is of a sexual nature. TBA even has a sexual maladaptive behavior unit that treats children with illnesses related about sexual issues. The incidents reffered to in the article as "sexual assault" has a severity to it that makes people think of it as rape. Although I do not condone what happened, most of the incidents in question probably involve situations of younger children groping a female staff. It is hard for me to equate that to the term "sexual assault" when these children are there being treated for illnesses, and this is the way they act out. I have worked in pyschiatric treatment facilities for many years and situations like this are very common, in fact they happen all the time at places like TBA. I am also aware that TBA has began to take steps in order to avoid incidents like this from continuing. They have removed all female staff from working in direct contact with the younger males. Unfortunately, situations like this are going to occur, these kids are sick, thats why they are being treated. The absolute wrong thing to do is to close the doors of this facility. It places a heavier burden on the other scarce available resources for families to turn to. Remember, one day these kids are going to grow up and have children of their own. We need to do what we can now to prevent the cycle of abuse from continuing. Provide support, learn from the mistakes, and support TBA and places like it to continue to improve the lives of the individuals they treat.Posted by ( IceBreaker3000 ) on 12/18/2008 at 08:11 pm.
This article is blown way out of proportion. For example, None of the "sexual incedents" involved intercourse in any way however this article leads to to think that. The residents are always properly supervised. There is a ratio of staff to residents that is strictly inforced at all times. The staff are never left alone with any resident at any time. There are some acute cases at Tampa Bay Academy that involve some level of danger, but thats the normal hazard of working at a Psychiatric Facility! This is a very good example of how the media sensationalizes on a subject to sell a paper.Posted by ( kidrock0976 ) on 12/18/2008 at 09:09 pm.
I'm glad the state has finally shed some light on the situations going on at TBA. Aside from the obvious endangerment of the children & staff TBA fails to provide appropriate medical attention to children. The facility is always unsanitary & the staff ordered to do last minute clean up efforts before inspections. The place is more like a daycare than a treatment center and the Staff are not adequately prepared or trained for possible violent outbursts from children/young adults. The current HR Director fails to provide equal treatment to pregnant staff by not placing them in a safe environment upon request during their pregnancy, furthermore forcing them to either leave the company or switch to parttime causing them to loose benefits altogether. Facility needs improvement in all aspects aside from what's currently being investigated starting with upper management. In emergency situations when there is no opportunity to get to the phone or loud speakers it is almost impossible to contact a manager or staff assistance. Although Walkie talkies are used in certain areas, they should be used in ALL departments for the safety of Staff & children but they are not. All in all, this place has great potential but needs to be restructured with rules & consequences put in place that are more effective so that bad behavior such as the sexual assault don't go unnoticed. I feel that if HR became more aware of the federal laws in place & there was better training for the Staff this facility would be a fun, safe & effective treatment facility for everyone.Posted by ( MikeForrest ) on 12/18/2008 at 09:18 pm.
apple_red, you claim to know of kids who were abused at TBA, "...but nobody said anything about it".

If that is actually true, then you are morally and legally obligated to report the abuse. There is no statute of limitations on child abuse. The purpose is to get the real perpetrators off the streets.

Otherwise, if you don't report to the authorities, I can safely assume you are making false allegations.Posted by ( IceBreaker3000 ) on 12/18/2008 at 09:47 pm.
I agree completely With you kidrock0976! The HR Director and the previous CEO fired all the seasoned staff because they were one minute late or for something else extremely minor such as that. Because of this there were no adaquate on the job training for the new staff. All of a sudden there were all new staff running the halls not knowing what to do. Then to top it all off, YFCS took away all of the consequences for the residents. If you have behaviorally challenged teens knowing they can do what ever they want with no consequences, then you will have trouble. I feel tampa bay academy has to corect the problem from the TOP first!Posted by ( apple_red ) on 12/19/2008 at 01:14 am.
Mikeforrest, I asked my family member to report the abuse to the authorities. She refused. I was not personally involved in the situation, I just heard about it. I also was a young teen at the time and wasn't aware of how I should have dealt with the situation. Bottom line : If the staff had properly dealt with the abuse they SAW HAPPENING BEFORE THEIR EYES, then I would not have heard it through the grape vine from my family member and given the responsibility, as a young teen, to help this entire school of children from this abuse by forcing my family member to tell authorities what was going on. It is unfair to say that because I did not alert authorities about the abuse I HEARD about but didn't actually WITNESS, that I must be lying. I am not lying, and I am very glad (as is my family member) that this place has been shut down.Posted by ( seminolekattie ) on 12/19/2008 at 12:21 pm.
Not only does the staff need to be proffesionals such as LCSWs, but local Sheriff's department are about to make treating SED children no longer possible for proffessionals, who's left? As an LCSW out of the school system I won't work with foster care children or SED children because of the abuse by these children and the local CPI's. Soon no one will treat or house or care for these children, then what? Certainly look at the day to day picture, but it might be time to look at the bigger and more important picture, they can't get qualified staff, WE DON'T want to work in these environments anymore, it's to dangerous, it doesn't pay well, and it's to much of a safety risk for our proffesional lives. Sooner or later someone will open their eyes.

CPI's should be LCSW's NOT attached to the local Sheriffs office, but attached to the State of Florida with training in family issues, not criminal investigations! Also working with SED children should require an LCSW and 2 years post licensure supervision and not be required to be on call 24/7 but get days off. Good luck glad I am in the school system!Posted by ( Love4kids08 ) on 12/20/2008 at 02:45 pm.
It is great to see so many people have opinions about this program. I agree with so many of you on this one and the others not so much. I have also worked at TBA for 6 years and have had experience in all aspects of this facility from the residential program, the group homes, and administration. I agree that TBA is not the same place that I knew it to be. The days when SRutherford, EH and,Tact1 were there it was run by people who deeply cared about kids and staff's well being. TBA has gone through so many transitions in the past and I have seen it go from better to worse. Most of the problems arose when staff did not feel supported or backed by therapists and administration and poorly qualified staff allowed to work with these group sick children. I feel that many of the staff hired by TBA were not the best and did not always have the kids best interest at mind. Administration were aware of many instances that were detrimental to staff and children but staff were not properly reprimanded or dealt with in fear of not being able to find more staff to work with this population. I felt they hung on to many staff just because they did not want to let them go and have to search or recruit more. Over the years as the veteran staff left or moved on the support that used to be there no longer existed! We all had each other's back no matter where you worked but over the years I have seen the quality of staff deminish which is sad. I personally know of many other dangerous situations between staff members and clients that were never really addressed! managers were not always the best and unfortunately it trickels down to the staff and the children. No the state shoudl not turn their backs on this place but I do feel that TBA has been given ample opportunity by ACHA to fix the problems that existed years ago and make them right, and they have FAILED repeatedly at this! I feel sorry for the employees that will lose their jobs and the kids that will be affected and moved from place to place but it is time WAKE UP and stop brushing serious issues under the rug!Posted by ( justice33 ) on 12/24/2008 at 02:09 pm.
AHCA needs to look a little deeper into the management of the group homes as well as human resources. YFCS (Youth and Family Centered Services) would not be happy with the way management treats the staff that are there doing the right things for the sake of the residents. Management is putting staff in uncomfortable situations and when it is brought to their (management) attention, the staff is targeted when in fact the management should assure the safety and well-being of the residents at all times. Meaning, if there is a house with all female residents, there should not be a male staff placed in the house. This is to protect the staff as well of the residents. To place a male staff in the house out of retaliation is wrong. AHCA should seriously consider investigating the management as I can assure you that so many issues have been swept under the wrong in the group homes.

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Ursus:
Here is another article, which appears to be more or less the same article with a different headline (plus separate Comments section), also maintained by The Tampa Tribune's online site. I am guessing the Tribune releases these in different publications, perhaps print vs. online version?

-------------- • -------------- • -------------- • --------------

State Suspends License Of Tampa Bay Academy
By ADAM EMERSON aemerson@tampatrib.com
Published: December 18, 2008

State investigators ordered the removal of 54 children and teenagers from the Tampa Bay Academy in Riverview after finding the academy failed to protect its residents and staff from "known and obvious dangerous behaviors."

State officials suspended the license of the academy's residential treatment program after learning that a staff member had been sexually assaulted and police were never notified. They also found that workers failed to properly supervise the residents, who often fought with staff.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has opened a criminal investigation at the academy, which houses children and teenagers who suffer from severe psychological disorders and sexual trauma. The sheriff's office wouldn't say what it is investigating.

Officials with Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration accused the academy of "gross mismanagement." Given the academy's "utter failure to take the appropriate corrective actions, it is unlikely that these deficiencies will be corrected in the absence of agency action," state officials wrote in a Leon County court filing.

The agency's investigators conducted their review Dec. 8 and found inadequate staffing at the residential treatment program and noticed workers behind closed doors and secluded from the teens' activities.

Investigators found:


* In late November, on two occasions, one of the residents "sexually assaulted a staff member" in the absence of other workers who were supposed to be on duty. The academy didn't report the incident to health regulators until Dec. 4 and never notified law enforcement.
* On Dec. 1, a staff member was subjected to "sexually inappropriate and assaultive behavior" by as many as four residents, and management didn't get complete reports of the incident for several days. "No action was taken," investigators said, "to ensure that other clients were protected from such behaviors and dangers in the interim or thereafter."
* One resident admitted in late November to being infected with gonorrhea and HIV, and the staff was supposed to watch the resident constantly. Despite that, the resident had sex repeatedly with another resident.
Investigators also found cases where residents assaulted staff members and pushed them into work stations while blocking their escape.

Agency Was Tipped Off

The agency conducted its review a couple of weeks ago after receiving an anonymous tip about conditions at the academy, said Shelisha Durden, spokeswoman for the Health Care Administration. Sheriff's deputies started their investigation about the same time, according to spokesman J.D. Callaway.

Durden said some of the 54 youngsters in the academy's residential treatment program have been moved to other facilities, but she wouldn't say where. The rest of the youngsters will be moved by Jan. 9, the day health regulators officially seize the academy's license.

The Health Care Administration's order also prohibits the academy from admitting new residents.

Rich Warden, the chief executive for Tampa Bay Academy, declined to answer any questions from the Tribune, just releasing a statement:

The academy "takes the health and well-being of the children and the families we serve very seriously," Warden said. "We will work diligently to address any and all concerns that ACHA, our state licensing agency, may have and we will continue to provide high quality services to the children entrusted to our care."

The Health Care Administration's order affects only the academy's residential program. Tampa Bay Academy also runs a group home for youngsters with less severe needs and a charter school that serves as many as 200 students.

Services Are Unique Locally

Few other long-term residential programs exist that can serve the intensive needs these children and teenagers have. Tampa Bay Academy has the only residential treatment program of its kind in Hillsborough County.

The academy is managed by the for-profit Youth and Family Centered Services Inc., which is based in Austin, Texas. Durden said Tampa Bay Academy receives funding through Medicaid reimbursements, the Florida Department of Children & Families and private insurance payments, among other sources.

The academy's cluster of Spanish-style buildings opened in 1988 on 24 acres just south of the Alafia River. Its residential treatment center has the capacity for 100 children and teenagers.

Many of the youngsters are referred there for treatment by Hillsborough Kids Inc., the agency that oversees more than 3,000 children in state custody.

Jeff Rainey, chief executive for Hillsborough Kids, said the agency has checked on its children enrolled in the academy's other programs that provide lower levels of care. Officials didn't find an imminent safety risk, Rainey said.

Rainey said the agency already sends some children out of Hillsborough County to receive intensive, long-term specialized care. Without Tampa Bay Academy, he said, that need becomes more acute.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.


©2009 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC.

Ursus:
Comments for the above article, "State Suspends License Of Tampa Bay Academy" (by Adam Emerson; The Tampa Tribune; Dec. 18, 2008):


Posted by ( seminolekattie ) on 12/19/2008 at 12:28 pm.
Again in privitazation the state makes the treatment agency out to be the problem. The article states, "State officials say they have given the academy a chance to increase the quality and size of its staff, and it has failed. And the academy "has taken no action to protect its clients from the sexually assertive or assaultive behaviors of other clients." However the State of Florida DID NOT and WILL NOT pay what is costs to provide the specially trained staff needed to work with these children who have special needs. Instead the State of Florida, as guardians of many of the residents of Tampa Bay Academy, nickels and dimes these types of treatment centers to death. Many of the kids in TBA are foster care children and AHCA along with the State of Florida won't pay what it cost to provide a safe enviroment for the child and the staff. Instead they are paying Medicaid, AHCA, The For Profit Insurance Company managing the money, along with local mental health officals to stop admissions or discharge kids because they "have reached treatment benefits." Many of the children discharged are discharged against the advice and of the proffessionals treating the children. Also the State officials make the decisions to pay for treatment of these children have NO training in Mental Health, Sexual Abuse Treatment, Foster Care, Trauma Recovery or Substance Abuse. The State and Insurance officals are pulling kids out of treamtment and putting them back in the community to prey on kids that don't stand a chance against these types of children. Not that the kids in State care stood a chance, because the State didn't pay to get them the treatment they needed. As a community of parents, teachers, tax payers we have to stand up and fight ACHA and Medicaid and the State of Florida and demand that these kids get treatment, that the State pays organizations like Tampa Bay Academy what it cost's to treat these severe kids, and that we stop Privitazation and make the State of Florida own up to their responsibility for these children. It's time to charge the State of Florida with Child Abuse!

Parents in the Tampa Bay area should look out, the State is releasing kids into your neighborhood and schools that are dangerous! Not because the kids are better, because the State of Florida doesn't want to pay treatment centers like TBA what it really costs to treat these kids. Now they are closing TBA so now they don't have treatment centers and now they don't have to look for this type of care. As a professional I say we should demand that State of Florida be charge with Child Abuse for everyone of the children they WON'T pay what it costs to treat these children, instead they just discharge them into the community.

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