Residential Reform
In May of 2020, 16-year-old Cornelius Fredericks died after being restrained for throwing a sandwich at Lakeside Academy in Kalamazoo, MI, which was run by the national for-profit Sequel Youth and Family Services.
Cornelius's death highlights the harms faced by youth at for-profit facilities. Years of investigation into juvenile and adult facilities show that privatization often correlated to a variety of harms, including unsafe conditions. The practice also incentivizes extended incarceration, prioritizing profits over public safety. In response to Cornelius's death, MCYJ banded together with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the National Juvenile Justice Network, and many other community organizations to reform residential placement licensing, contracts, and restraint policies.
Overview
Cornelius's death, and subsequent investigations into private facilities, have made it glaringly clear that reforms need to be made to residential placement facilities. To assess the level of need, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) requested the Annie E. Casey Foundation produce a report of findings and recommendations for improving the oversight and accountability of these facilities.
The report, which can be found in its entirety here, details six broad areas where reform is needed and provides recommendations for improvement:
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Update coercive intervention policy and practice using national best practice guidance
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Authentically engage youth and families to advise on and co-design ongoing improvements and alternatives
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Improve licensing, contracting, oversight and quality improvement
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Enhance data reporting and management
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Strengthen organizational and finance structures
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Update casework policy and practice according to national best practice guidance
Each of the six recommendations outlines reforms that can be made immediately, within six months, and within a year. Following the report publication, MDHHS convened a committee of local and statewide advocates to discuss the recommendations and their implementation. The general steering committee met monthly, while the focus groups (one for each of the six recommendations) met weekly. MCYJ sat on three of the six focus groups: Restraints and Seclusion, Contract Monitoring, and Licensing/Oversight. The meeting of the groups recently concluded, paired with the proposal of new administrative rules to govern child caring facilities.
Progress
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On June 18th, 2020, MCYJ, in partnership with NJJN and Youth First!, hosted a social media day of action.
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In May 2020, in coordination with the National Juvenile Justice Network, MCYJ promoted a petition calling on Governor Whitmer to remove Sequel from operating facilities from Michigan.
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On June 18th, 2020, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services began the process of removing Lakeside's license.
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On June 20th, 2020, Governor Whitmer released a statement condemning the acts of those involved with Cornelius's death, and demanding Sequel be removed from Lakeside.
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On June 22nd, 2020, former MDHHS Director Robert Gordon issued a statement regarding Cornelius's death and the department's response.
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On July 16, 2020, MDHHS issued an emergency rule prohibiting specific types of restraints deemed to be dangerous.
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Sequel no longer operates facilities in Michigan.
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Lakeside Academy has permanently closed!