New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 14 - DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HYGIENE
Chapter XIII - Office of Mental Health
Part 594 - Operation Of Licensed Housing Programs For Children And Adolescents With Serious Emotional Disturbances
Section 594.1 - Background and intent

(a) It is the purpose of these regulations to establish standards which secure the right of children and youth identified as having serious emotional disturbance to be treated within a family-like setting. Although treatment within an individual's family is preferable, when this is not possible, alternative types of residential settings must be made available to meet the treatment needs of children and youth identified as having a serious emotional disturbance. These settings should strive to provide services in an individualized, family-centered, community-based manner.

(b) It is the purpose of these regulations to establish standards for licensed housing programs which provide residential treatment alternatives for children and youth who require such treatment in this setting due to a serious emotional disturbance. This Part sets forth standards for licensed housing for three types of residential options: teaching family homes, community residences, (including the Community Residence for Eating Disorder Integrated Treatment "CREDIT" Program), and crisis residences.

(c) It is the intent of the Office of Mental Health to establish residential treatment options which have as their primary goal the return of children and youth to a permanent family-like setting and to prepare the children and youth for successful independent living as appropriate. Such programs shall also provide support to the family which includes education and counseling relating to the child's mental health disability, collaborative techniques in supporting the child's emotional and maturational development, and community resources to support the successful return of the child to his/her home community and family. In addition, it shall be the mission of each residential option to provide a safe environment which ensures protection from harm, abuse, and neglect; to encourage emotional, intellectual and physical growth; and to ensure that individualized treatment is provided with sensitivity to cultural and ethnic considerations.

(d) It is the intent of the Office of Mental Health to establish residential treatment options which provide rehabilitation services and treatment for children and youth that result in outcomes of successful functioning and integration into the family, community, school or independent living situations and vocational opportunities as appropriate. Such services shall be provided in consideration of a child's developmental stage with careful attention to individual strengths, needs and desires throughout the process of rehabilitation and skills development.