www.pscoa.org/privatization/october%20privatization/3.h -
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Published on: 10/22/2003
Last Visited: 9/3/2007
Chet Bell, assistant director for Stewart-Marchman, a nonprofit company that operates 79 beds in Daytona Beach, attributed the decrease at his facility to improved management of the program.The agency had 14 abuse complaints in 2000-01 and three last year.
Salary incentives for completion of training requirements, unannounced site visits by senior staff members, "zero tolerance" for physical and verbal abuse by staff members, and solicitation of children's opinions "without fear of recrimination" about their experiences with staff have all helped to improve conditions at the facility, Bell said.
More than 200 facilities throughout the state were represented in the data, including detention centers, long-term commitment programs, training schools and family group homes.