What are my Legal Rights if I am placed at Hilltop?

What if I believe my rights have been violated?

Reporting allegations of abuse.

What are the rules about phone calls?

How about visitors?

Will I make Home Visits?

• When am I eligible?
• What are the expectations?
• What are the requirements before a home visit?
• Expectations after a home visit.

Juvenile's Legal Rights when ordered to stay at Hilltop Residential facility:

• Juveniles shall not be subject to discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, creed or handicap.
• The provision of a safe and healthful environment includes:
  1. Twenty-four (24) hour supervision by trained, professional staff and/or volunteers,
  2. Clean and orderly surroundings,
  3. Toilet, bathing, and hand washing facilities,
  4.  Lighting, ventilation, and heating, and
  5.  Clean clothing, bedding and mattresses.
• Participation in educational and recreational activities
• Participation in religious services of the juvenile's choice on a voluntary basis, subject to the safety, security and control needs of the facility.
• The right to determine the length and style of their own hair, including facial hair, if desired, except where such restrictions are deemed necessary for health or safety reasons.
• Procedures for the possession and use of personal items.
• Juveniles shall not be subject to corporal or unusual punishment, mental abuse, or the punitive restriction of daily living needs.
• Procedures for the reporting of any allegation of youth abuse or neglect to the state youth abuse/neglect hot line for the independent investigation of any such complaints
• Written grievance procedures provided to the juvenile upon admission to the facility.(top)

Grievance

The Grievance procedure is a structured process in which residents have the opportunity to file a formal complaint anytime they feel their rights have been violated.  Grievances are reviewed daily by the Hilltop Counselor.  The counselor meets with the resident filing the grievance and attempts to resolve the problem.  If the problem cannot be resolved, the grievance is reviewed through the chain of command until a resolution is reached. (top)

Reporting Allegations of Abuse

Hilltop operates under the laws of mandatory reporting any allegations of abuse that are reported by youth and/or staff.  These allegations will be Hotlined to the Missouri Children’s Division who will determine if an investigation is necessary.  Any allegations reported to have occurred on the Hilltop campus will result in not only the Hotline call, but an Internal Investigation being initiated.

Unfounded charges will be expunged from the youth’s record. (top)

Phone Calls:

Residents are allowed to make up to two telephone calls during the week.  For confidentiality reasons, we cannot accept telephone calls requesting to speak with a resident.  If you miss your telephone call, please contact the Case Management Officer to make arrangements to speak with your youth.  Telephone calls are limited to five minutes.  Youth earning home visits get priority on the second phone call day as we must contact their parents to inform them of the home pass.

Telephone calls are monitored by staff.  In the event that a resident fails to follow the rules for telephone usage or if legitimate safety and security concerns arise, a speaker phone may be used so that staff can monitor telephone calls more closely. (top)

Visitors:

Parent involvement is a critical part of the Hilltop program.  Visitation is available each Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.  Only parents, guardians, siblings and grandparents and authorized others may visit.  All visitors must be approved by the Case Management Officer.  Visitation is limited to two hours and there may not be more than 3 visitors per youth at a time.  Parents are not allowed to bring any items into the facility. 
This includes purses, handbags, and food or drink items.  Any item brought to campus must be pre-approved by the Case Management Officer.  Cell phones are not allowed to be used during this time.

Once you arrive at the facility, you will need to provide a photo ID and sign in the Visitor’s Log Book.. You will then be directed to the visitation area. 

If you need assistance during visitation, please ask to speak with a Facility Supervisor or Shift Supervisor.  If you have specific questions about your youth’s case or his/her status in the program, please contact the assigned Case Management Officer. (top)

Home Visits:

It is the policy of Hilltop Residential Center to allow youth the opportunity to make home visits.  Home visits provide the youth with an opportunity to demonstrate the skills they have learned during treatment and can be earned when a resident has made significant progress towards treatment goals.  To address community protection issues, youth must meet eligibility criteria and demonstrate a consistent ability to maintain appropriate behavior. (top)

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Must be on Freshman (0-4) level. All passes begin as 8-hour passes and then progress to 24-hours and then 48-hours.
2. Must meet eligibility requirements listed in the Behavior Management Program.
3. Clean drug tests.
4. Complete assignments/goals from previous home visit.
5. Return completed Home Visit form with parent signature from previous home visit.
6. Special contracts can be considered and must be approved by the Treatment Team.
7. All Home Visits must adhere to the progression outlined in the Behavior Management program.  Exceptions require Administrative approval. (top)

Home Visit Expectations: 

1. Youth should be with parent at all times
2. .CMO must approve requests for the youth to participate in family activities past 10:00 p.m.   These arrangements must be included on the Home Visit form.
3. No contact with other youth involved in Family Court Services
4. Practice skills taught at Hilltop through assignments and goals listed on the home visit form
5. Follow rules of the home
6. Obey the law.
7. Parent must pick up and drop off resident from the home visit or obtain approval in advance from Case Management Officer for alternative arrangements. Any alternative arrangements must be noted on the Home Visit form and the CMO must also notify the weekend supervisor via Lotus Notes.
8. Parent must complete and sign home visit form.
9. A minimum of two curfew calls will be made on each day of the home visit.
10. Residents must return to the facility (or Detention if riding the van) by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. (top)

Requirements Before A Home Visit:

1. The CMO will determine who will supervise the resident during home visit
2. The CMO will complete a home study before the first overnight home visit.
3. Parent/guardian must sign a copy of the home visit rules and expectations form
4. Must be able to contact resident by phone during the home visit.
5. Case Management Officer will submit a home visit list to Support Staff by 5 p.m. each Thursday and make a copy for the cottage. (top)

Expectations After A Home Visit:

1. Resident will process assignments/goals with Case Management Officer and review progress and areas to be improved following the home visit.
2. Case Management Officer will contact the parent following the home visit to process assignments/goals and review progress and areas to be improved.
3. Resident will submit to drug testing upon return from each home visit within one hour of return to campus. (top)

Failure to comply with any of the requirements in this protocol will result in sanctions up to and including the loss of future home visits.