1. (a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to provide for the temporary placement of youth who request placement in a security unit.
2. (b) Applicability. This rule applies only to high restriction facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission.

3. (c) General Provisions.

   1. (1) The security unit may be used as a temporary placement until the youth can be safely returned to his/her assigned living unit or another appropriate housing or facility assignment can be arranged.
   2. (2) While placed in the security unit on a self-referral, youth will participate in scheduled programming in accordance with the individual case plan and, if applicable, the individualized education plan.

   3. (3) If a youth claims a need for protection from harm, all reasonable actions will be taken to ensure the safety of the youth, including the following actions as indicated by a threat assessment:

      1. (A) immediate implementation of enhanced supervision strategies;
      2. (B) immediate separation of the youth from the source of the threat;
      3. (C) referral to the Office of Inspector General's Incident Reporting Center for investigation;
      4. (D) notification of the chief local administrator; and/or
      5. (E) dorm or facility transfer.

4. (d) Referral Process.

   1. (1) A youth may request a self-referral to the security unit. Requests may be verbal or written and may be made to any staff member.
   2. (2) Case management and/or supervisory staff will meet with the youth to discuss the circumstances regarding the request and, if appropriate, recommend alternatives to self-referral.
   3. (3) Staff may not deny the youth's request for a self-referral to the security unit, unless self-referrals have been temporarily disallowed by the facility administrator due to an ongoing facility disruption.

5. (e) Service Delivery and Programming Requirements.

   1. (1) While in the security unit on self-referral, youth shall be provided:

      1. (A) psychological and medical services as appropriate;
      2. (B) adequate access to restroom facilities and drinking water;
      3. (C) access to shower and hygiene routine at least once every 24 hours;
      4. (D) the same food, including snacks, prepared in the same manner as for other youth, except for special diets that are prescribed on an individual basis by a physician, dentist, mental health professional, or approved by a chaplain;
      5. (E) the ability to earn privileges;
      6. (F) access to educational services in accordance with the youth's enrolled courses and, if applicable, the youth's individualized education plan; and
      7. (G) one hour each day of large muscle exercise out of the room or in an enclosed outdoor recreation area.

   2. (2) A caseworker will meet with the youth daily to:

      1. (A) assess the youth's status and make referrals to a mental health professional as appropriate;
      2. (B) discuss strategies and offer opportunities for returning to the general population; and
      3. (C) ensure that all required services and programming are being delivered.

   3. (3) Within one workday after admission to the security unit on self-referral, a caseworker will, in consultation with members of the youth's multi-disciplinary team and a mental health professional, develop a written supervision and reintegration plan for the youth. The plan will include:

      1. (A) strategies for addressing the threat of harm or coping with the circumstances giving rise to the request for the self-referral;
      2. (B) requirements for enhanced supervision, if appropriate;
      3. (C) a schedule for reintegrating with the general campus population; and
      4. (D) a safe housing re-assessment, as described in §85.24 of this title.

6. (f) Release from the Security Unit.

   1. (1) Upon a youth's request or agreement to be released from the security unit, the youth shall be granted release as soon as reasonably possible.
   2. (2) Release from the security unit prior to the development of the supervision and reintegration plan requires approval from the facility administrator or his/her designee. If the facility administrator or designee disapproves a youth's request for release from the security unit prior to the completion of the supervision and reintegration plan, the facility administrator or designee must ensure that a supervision and reintegration plan is completed and the youth is released within 24 hours after the youth's request.
   3. (3) Upon a youth's release from the security unit, the youth's caseworker or other designated staff will determine which components of the youth's supervision plan will be continued after the youth's return to the general campus population. The youth will receive follow-up psychological services if directed by a mental health professional.

7. (g) Review and Oversight.

   1. (1) The director of security or his/her designee will counsel each youth admitted to the security unit on a self-referral each day.
   2. (2) Youth may not remain in the security unit on self-referral beyond 72 hours after admission without the authorization of the facility administrator or designee. Such authorization is required every 24 hours thereafter.
   3. (3) If a youth has not requested or agreed to release within five calendar days after admission to the security unit on self-referral, the facility administrator must consult with the Central Office division director over youth services or his/her designee to discuss reintegration strategies, service delivery and counseling activities, youth behavior, and possible dorm or facility transfer. Such consultation is required at least once every 72 hours thereafter until the youth is released from the security unit.
   4. (4) The youth's multi-disciplinary treatment team will monitor each youth's pattern of self-referrals to the security unit for indications of ongoing or unresolved issues. The multi-disciplinary treatment team will address any such issues through case plan objectives, clinical referrals, report to facility management, or other appropriate interventions.

Source Note:The provisions of this §380.9747 adopted to be effective May 1, 2011, 36 TexReg 2246; transferred effective June 4, 2012, as published in the Texas Register June 22, 2012, 37 TexReg 4639.