The DHHS alleges in a news release that Provo Canyon School staff failed to protect a minor resident during a physical assault and subsequently delayed emergency medical care by calling a non-medical transport company instead of 911.

DHHS added that administrators failed to act on documented safety concerns and a transfer request by the resident and their guardian before the assault.

“No child should ever be harmed in programs meant to protect them,” DLBC Director Shannon Thoman-Black said in a news release. “Our role is to hold providers to the highest standards of safety, and we will use every regulatory tool available to ensure vulnerable youth are protected.”

DHHS said Provo Canyon School must halt new admissions and cooperate with increased unannounced state inspections. The facility also must report each safety concern to the Division of Licensing and Background Checks and revise emergency policies to permit and encourage staff to call 911 when safety is at risk.

The treatment center is also required to create a comprehensive threat assessment and violence prevention policy, provide written notification of these license conditions to current residents and guardians, and post an official notice of agency action on the homepage of its website.

“DLBC will closely monitor the facility to ensure strict compliance with all mandated conditions. A primary purpose for the conditions is to provide the additional oversight a sanctioned program needs to keep their clients safe,” DHHS said.