Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 290 - RULES OF DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Chapter 290-2 - FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES
Subject 290-2-7 - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR OUTDOOR CHILD CARING PROGRAMS
Rule 290-2-7-.08 - Campers' Rights and Privileges

(1) The staff of the Outdoor Child Caring Program shall allow privacy as needs indicate for each camper.

(2) Campers shall have access to a quiet, private area where they can withdraw from the group when appropriate.

(3) Termination of contacts between the camper and his or her family shall not be allowed while the camper is in care unless the rights of the parents have been terminated by court order or it has been determined by the placement agency that family contact is not in the camper's best interest. The frequency and nature of contact shall be based on the needs of the camper, and shall be determined with the participation of the camper, his or her family or placement agency and Outdoor Child Caring Program staff. Any limitations shall be filed in the camper's case record. Restriction of a contact shall be based on a determination by the staff along with any additional information from the Medicaid Rehabilitation Option Provider that due to the nature of the circumstances at that time that particular contact is not in the best interest of the camper. Reasons for the restrictions shall be shared with the Camper and the family and documented in the camper's record.

(4) The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall have clearly written policies regarding visits, gifts, mail, and telephone calls between the camper and his or her family or placement agency.

(5) A camper shall be allowed to bring personal possessions to the Outdoor Child Caring Program and to acquire possessions. Limits put on the kind of possessions a camper may or may not bring or receive shall be applied equally to all Campers, shall be discussed with the camper and his or her parents or placement agency and shall be documented in the camper's record.

(6) The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall not place a camper in a position of having to acknowledge his or her dependency, destitution, or neglect. The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall not require the camper to make public statements about his or her background or dependence on the Camp, to publicly acknowledge gratitude to the Camp or to perform at public gatherings.

(7) Pictures, reports, or identification that humiliate, exploit, or invade the privacy of a camper or his or her family or Placement Agency shall not be made public. The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall not use reports or pictures from which campers can be identified without written consent from the camper and the parents or placement agency.

(8) The opinions and recommendations of the campers shall be considered in the development and evaluation of the camping program and activities.

(9) The Outdoor Child Caring Program shall have clearly written policies for the behavior management of campers. Copies shall be available to staff and campers.

(10) Discipline shall be consistent with the policies of the Outdoor Child Caring Program and shall not be physically or emotionally damaging.

(11) Staff members shall be responsible for all behavior management of campers.