FORT WORTH, Texas — The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has suspended and forced the closure of a Fort Worth rehab center's program for adolescents after determining it created an immediate threat to the health and safety of children in its care.
A letter on the suspension from HHSC Chief Policy and Regulatory Officer Jordan Dixon stated Fort Behavioral Health was in violation of Chapter 42 of the Texas Human Resource Code, creating the threat.
Fort Behavioral Health is a rehab center providing care for victims of substance abuse, as well as mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment for adolescents.
Chapter 42 of the Texas Human Resource Code is entitled "Regulation of certain facilities, homes, and agencies that provide child-care services."
The order required all children in the center's care to be returned to their parents, guardians and managing conservators immediately, and that those parties be notified of the suspension and closure.
Fort Behavioral Health released a statement also saying its adolescent programs, Evergreen Path and Camp Worth, have been temporarily closed while their curriculum is restructured and policies updated to ensure the highest standard of care for clients.
"We look forward to serving our community and should be back to accepting clients by the end of February," the statement said.
Licensing staff will inspect the center's operation periodically during the closure to determine no children are in care, the letter added.
Per the order, the order suspending Fort Behavioral Health's license expires at midnight on Feb. 25.