Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 02, November 27, 2024
(1) Group Home Care. The general requirements
pertaining to the care of the children prescribed under other sections of these
standards shall be followed in all applicable respects. In addition, there
shall be compliance with the following special regulations pertaining to group
home care:
(a) In group homes that are an
affiliate and an integral part of a parent child care institution or agency as
well as those that are unrelated to a parent child care institution or agency,
the person employed as executive or supervisor of the facility shall have at
least the following qualifications,:
(i) A
baccalaureate degree in the field of social work, psychology, administration,
or a related field, from a college or university accredited by one of the six
regional accrediting associations of the United States;
(ii) Two years of prior experience in working
with children and youth and/or on-the-job training in another child care
facility.
(d) Bedrooms
in facilities constructed or acquired prior to January 1, 1975 shall not
accommodate more than four children each. Facilities constructed, purchased,
structurally remodeled or acquired after January 1, 1975, shall have bedrooms
which accommodate no more than three children each, but two children per
bedroom is recommended. Each child shall have their own bed.
(2) Maternity Centers. Maternity
homes providing a program for maternity care with referral for hospital and
medical services obtained from the community shall be approved by the
Department of Human Resources upon meeting the standards set herein.
(a) The general requirements which pertain to
the care of children prescribed under other sections of this document shall be
followed in all applicable respects and, in addition, there shall be compliance
with the following special regulations pertaining to the care of minor pregnant
girls.
(b) Each girl shall receive
social services on a weekly basis. Social services shall be available also in
case of emergency. Services shall be extended to the putative father and to the
parents of the girl, when indicated. Each girl, individually and/or in a group,
shall be encouraged and given the opportunity to focus and participate in the
following:
1. Resolving her conflicts,
confronting the reality of her situation, and handling the immediate problem of
unmarried parenthood.
2. Counseling
regarding the decision-making for the unborn child.
3. Preparation for return to community life
Participation in an educational program specific to her own
needs; i.e. High School, G.E.D., Vocational Training, Junior College,
etc.
(c) The
decision for the final plan for the baby shall be made by the baby's mother. A
minor pregnant girl shall not be required to sign a statement committing
herself to any definite plan for her child as a condition of admission to the
center. Girls who wish to place their children for adoption or in foster family
homes shall be referred to the Department or to a licensed child placing
agency. The social worker service staff shall seek legal counsel with respect
to problems relating to the legal rights of the minor pregnant girl and her
obligations to her child, including relinquishments, termination of parental
rights, legitimization, birth certificate, and other legal matters pertaining
thereto; including all legal rights of the natural father. Any minor who is
fourteen years of age or older, or has graduated from high school, or is
married, or having been married is divorced, and is pregnant, may give
effective consent to any legally authorized medical, dental, health or mental
health services for herself and the consent of no other person shall be
necessary. Any minor who is married, or having been married is divorced, or has
borne a child may give effective consent to any legally authorized medical,
dental, health or mental health services for himself or his child or for
herself or her child.
(d) At the
time of admission there shall be a medical and obstetric history. Immediately
following admission, a complete assessment must be obtained from a licensed
medical doctor along with all test results as prescribed by the doctor which
may include blood pressure determination, weight, urine analysis, laboratory
test for syphilis and gonorrhea, determination of hemoglobin, red and white
blood cell count, and any other special studies which may be indicated.
1. A dental examination shall be made and
necessary treatment provided by a licensed practicing dentist.
2. Periodic examinations and laboratory tests
shall be performed according to the schedule of the ob/gyn physician. Each girl
shall be referred for and receive follow-up postnatal care as prescribed by the
ob/gyn physician. A postnatal examination shall be made by the licensed
practicing ob/gyn physician before discharge from the maternity
center.
3. The center shall have
written agreements with clinics and hospitals utilized for obstetrical and
related services.
4. Authorization
for hospitalization may be signed by a parent, guardian, or an agency holding
temporary or permanent custody, or as otherwise provided by law.
(e) Bedrooms shall be comfortable
and attractive, assuring the maximum amount of privacy for each girl. There
shall be a single bed with good mattress and springs and appropriate linens and
covers for each girl. No more than two girls shall share one bedroom. It is
preferable for each girl to have a room alone.
1. Cribs for infants shall have slats no more
than 2 3/8 inches apart. There shall be a crib for each infant. The crib
mattress shall fit snugly against the slats. Pillows, soft toys, blankets, and
loose sheets should not be in the crib with an infant. A crib that is known to
be painted with paint containing lead shall not be used.
(f) There shall be at least one toilet, one
shower, and one lavatory for each four girls. Each toilet and shower or tub or
tub-shower combination shall be located in a separate compartment. Where
showers generally are used, one tub shall be available. Separate toilets and
lavatories shall be available for staff and visitors.
(3) Shelter Care Facilities. The general
requirements pertaining to the care of children prescribed under other sections
of these standards shall be followed in all applicable respects. In the
following area, exception to prescribed standards may be permitted.
(a) A child of any age shall be permitted
admission to shelter care as permitted by the facility license. The local
Department of Human Resources shall be contacted about all children admitted to
shelter care (unless the child is admitted by the Department of Human
Resources) so that files can be cleared to determine whether the child is known
to the Department or is in need of services. The contact shall occur either
immediately during office hours, or at 8:00 a.m. the next morning, weekends and
holidays included. It shall be permissible for those shelter care facilities
that have social services, or other social service agencies serving families
and children, to provide social services to runaways. Placement in a shelter is
meant to be short term. Children admitted through agencies other than DHR shall
have an assessment conducted at admission to give guidance regarding the
possible length of stay and to identify the short-term plans while the child is
in shelter. The shelter stay shall not exceed 30 days without the mutual
agreement of the agency or person with planning responsibility and the parents,
legal custodian, or agency having custody as documented in the child's
Care/Treatment Plan and/or ISP. The child's record shall include: Child's
Record Sheet for Shelter Care Facility (DHR-BFC 809 or its equivalent) and a
copy of legal authorization for placement.
(b) When clothing is provided by the shelter
facility it shall be clean and in good condition. To the maximum extent
possible, the child shall be allowed a choice in his/her clothes, and the
clothes must be fitted to the child.
(c) Any child who needs immediate medical or
dental treatment shall be referred to a licensed practicing physician or
dentist for examination, and appropriate treatment shall be provided. Financial
responsibility for the provision of medical care shall rest with the person or
agency holding legal custody and such person/agency shall be notified of the
need forprovision of medical services.
(d) Where shelter care is offered as one part
of the program of a child care facility, a separate cottage or wing of a living
unit shall be used exclusively for shelter care. Living groups in the general
program shall not be disrupted by receiving children for short-term
care.
(e) Where the facility
offering shelter care provides an auxiliary program beyond the regular shelter
care period, both services can be in the same living unit. There shall be
separate bedrooms for use by each program. The age range of children served in
both programs shall be the same. The executive shall request prior approval in
writing from the Department when it is desired to provide two programs in the
same living unit. A copy of the approval shall be on file in the facility and
with the Department.
(f) Bedrooms
shall accommodate no more than four children each, unless the children in care
are siblings, in which case, up to five children may be accommodated. Children
shall have their own beds.
(i) In rooms
containing only cribs for infants there shall be a minimum of 2 feet of floor
space between each crib. Cribs shall have slats no more than 2 3/8 inches
apart. There shall be a crib for each infant. The crib mattress shall fit
snugly against the slats. Pillows, soft toys, blankets, and loose sheets should
not be in the crib with an infant. A crib that is known to be painted with
paint containing lead shall not be used.
(g) There shall be at least one toilet, one
lavatory with hot and cold water, and one tub and/or shower for each 6
children. Where there is more than one of these in a particular area, each
shall be in a separate compartment. Where showers generally are used, one tub
shall be available for use if needed.
(h) The shelter care facility shall have a
ratio of no more than ten (10) children for a two child care staff, and no more
than eight (8) children under direct supervision of one child care worker.
Children of the staff shall be included in determining the staff/child ratio.
Exception: During the hours of 10 PM to 7 AM, the ratio of child care workers
to children shall not be less than one child care worker on duty for each 10
children. Staff ratios shall be maintained in accordance with the number of
children actually in care rather than in accordance with the maximum capacity.
However, at least one female child care worker shall be on duty at all times
unless the shelter accepts males only. If the needs of the children to be
served require shift coverage by child care staff, an exception to the
staff/child ratio may be requested. The executive shall request prior approval
in writing from the Department as to the length of shifts and the proposed
staff/child ratio. A copy of the approval shall be on file in the facility and
with the Department.
(4)
Adjunct Programs. The general requirements that pertain to the care of children
prescribed under other sections of these standards shall be followed in all
applicable respects. Requirements under
660-5-37-.05, Physical
Facilities, shall not apply, except that statement from Fire and Health
officials shall be on file in the facility and with the Department. The
executive shall request prior approval in writing from the Department to
operate an adjunct program. A copy of the letter of approval from the
Department shall be on file in the facility and with the Department. A child in
care who participates in an approved adjunct program shall retain his/her
placement in the regular child care facility.
Author: Linda S. Stephens