Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024
(1) The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall admit only those campers for whom it has a program designed to meet the particular needs of the camper and who meet the admission policies.
(a) The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall provide information to the custodian about the services, environment, age ranges and behavioral characteristics of the other children in placement prior to admission.
(b) The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall maintain signed documentation from the custodian that they have received and considered the information provided in Rule .05(1)(a) above and have determined that the placement environment is appropriate and does not represent an undue risk to the health and safety of the child or children being placed.
(c) The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall have written admission policies which specify the age, sex, and types of needs of campers for which the camp is qualified by staff, program and equipment to meet.
(d) The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall apply to the Department for a new license prior to a change in the admission policies which would require a change in the conditions of the license.
(2) An Outdoor Child Caring Program shall not accept more campers than is specified on the license, or campers whose age and sex are inconsistent with the conditions of the license.
(3) Children under 8 years of age shall not be accepted for care in an Outdoor Child Caring Program.
(4) The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall not admit a camper who has not had a medical examination by a licensed physician within 30 days prior to admission. The report of the examination shall include an explanation of any known problem or potential problem, the prescribed medical treatment and any recommendations for future care and examinations and a statement to the effect that the conditions are not incompatible with the rigors of the Outdoor Child Caring Program environment. The prescribed medical treatment and recommendations for future care shall be incorporated into the camper's service plan.
(5) Campers shall have had a dental examination by a licensed dentist within the six months prior to admission. Dental treatment shall be provided as recommended by the examining dentist.
(6) The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall not accept a camper for care until a psychological or psychiatric evaluation and an intake study has been made and based on an analysis and recommendation of the social service worker with approval of the Administrator has determined that the placement meets the needs and best interests of the camper.
(7) The intake study shall be prepared by the social service worker and shall be maintained in the Camper's record. The study shall include a summary of at least the following information:
(a) Current (within 1 year) evaluation by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist authorized as a Medicaid Rehabilitation Option Provider, Community Resources provider, or other privately licensed psychiatrist or psychologist;
(b) A description of family relationships and the circumstances that make the placement necessary;
(c) The camper's developmental history;
(d) The parents' or placement agency's expectation of placement;
(e) The camper's understanding of placement;
(f) A description of the camper's personality, behavior, and interests;
(g) The camper's school history;
(h) History of previous placements;
(i) A statement about the camper's legal status;
(j) A statement of the camper's room, board and watchful oversight needs;
(k) The immediate and long-range goals of placement;
(l) The name of the family member or the placement agency who will be responsible for the relationship with the Outdoor Child Caring Program and the camper;
(m) Medical/dental history;
(n) Religious preference; and
(o) List of friends or others that may be permitted to visit with the camper if approved by the facility;
(8) The intake process shall include a discussion about placement with the camper and his or her parents or Placement Agency. It shall include a visit to the Camp.
(9) At the time of placement a written agreement shall be made between the Outdoor Child Caring Program, the camper and the camper's parents or placement agency. A copy of this agreement shall be in the camper's record. The agreement shall as a minimum include:
(a) Authorization to care for the camper;
(b) A medical consent form signed by a person authorized to give consent;
(c) Consent for camper to participate in trips or special activities;
(d) General goals and expectations for the camper's individual service plan;
(e) Written financial agreement including responsibility for medical, dental, clothing and other special needs; and
(f) Provision for notification of parents or placement agency in the event of unauthorized absences, medical or dental problems and any other significant event regarding the child, including the use of emergency safety interventions.
(10) Before admission, or at the time of admission, the Outdoor Child Caring Program shall provide written material to the camper's parents or placement agency which specifies:
(a) Rules regarding visits, mail, gifts, and telephone calls;
(b) Information on the nature and frequency of reports to the camper's parents or the Supervisory staff shall be accessible to campers and to child care staff 24 hours per day. All placement agency staff and volunteers shall be supervised to ensure that assigned duties are performed adequately and to protect the health, safety and well-being of the campers in care.
(c) The facility's policy concerning behavior management and emergency safety interventions;
(d) The facility's policy or program concerning religious training;
(e) The name of the person or office that parents or the placement agency can contact if they feel their child's rights have been violated;
(f) Information regarding trips or special activities; and
(g) If the Outdoor Child Caring Program has a school program, information concerning its accreditation, approval or lack thereof.
(11) The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall provide orientation for new campers.
(12) The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, O.C.G.A. Chapter 39-4, when admitting children from another state.
O.C.G.A. Sec. 49-5-12.
