Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-7-207 - Notification of Unusual Incidents and Other Occurrences

A. The licensee shall have a written policy and procedure consistent with the requirements of this Chapter, regarding documentation of, and reporting requirements for unusual incidents.

B. The licensee shall maintain a record of each unusual incident in a separate log that permits the Department to easily locate the documentation of each incident that occurred.

C. The licensee shall immediately notify the Centralized Intake Hotline:

1. Of any incident of alleged physical or sexual abuse of a child in care;

2. Upon the death of a child in care;

3. When a child in care suffers an injury, illness, or psychiatric episode that is severe enough to require emergency medical intervention, treatment, hospitalization or emergency services for the child;

4. When a child in care attempts suicide;

5. Substance abuse by the child in care that results in emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, or overdose;

6. When a child in care is arrested by law enforcement;

7. When a child's whereabouts are unknown including a child who has run away from a facility;

8. When the facility requires an emergency evacuation; or

9. When the licensee is affected by a fire or natural disaster with or without the need of emergency evacuation.

D. The licensee shall immediately call emergency services and within two hours of the licensee's knowledge of the death of a child in care:

1. Notify the Placing Entity or, if no Placing Entity, parent or guardian who placed the child with the Agency;

2. Cooperate in any arrangements for examination, autopsy, and burial; and

3. Provide written notice to the Department.

E. If a child in care suffers a serious illness, serious injury, or a severe psychiatric episode requiring hospitalization, the licensee shall notify the Placing Entity or, if no Placing Entity, parent or guardian who placed the child with the Agency and the Department within 24 hours of the licensee's knowledge of the occurrence.

F. If a child suffers a severe psychotic episode, or exhibits suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, a threat of self-harm, or other mental health crisis that places the child or others in immediate danger, the licensee shall immediately contact a crisis hotline or the licensee's internal licensed counselor with training in crisis management. The licensee shall notify the Placing Entity or, if there is no Placing Entity, parent or guardian who placed the child with the Agency within 24 hours of the licensee's knowledge of the occurrence.

G. The licensee shall comply with the statutory obligation to report child abuse or neglect, under A.R.S. § 13-3620.

H. The licensee shall comply with any reporting requirements set forth in the licensee's contracts and shall give the Department written documentation on the form provided by the Department within 48 hours:

1. Of any fire or a natural disaster affecting the licensee, Agency, or facility with or without the need for emergency evacuation;

2. When pest infestation has been discovered at a facility;

3. When law enforcement involvement occurs in which a formal complaint is filed by or against the licensee;

4. When sexual contact or physical aggression occurs between children;

5. When a threat or altercation occurs involving a child in care;

6. When self-harming behavior occurs;

7. When a child in care receives emergency medical treatment;

8. When adverse medication reactions occur which may or may not result in medical intervention;

9. When medication is administered in an emergency situation;

10. When an accident or incident occurs involving injury or trauma to a child in care, including transportation related accidents;

11. When damage or theft of property occurs to or by a child in care;

12. When a child in care is involved in an incident that results in law enforcement contact;

13. When restrictive behavior management is used on a child in care;

14. Knowledge of substance use or abuse; and

15. When a call is made to the Centralized Intake Hotline involving a child in care.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-7-207

New Section made by final rulemaking at 29 A.A.R. 2231, effective 11/6/2023.