A. The licensee shall have a written plan
consistent with the requirements of this Chapter to minimize the risk of harm,
ensure normalcy, and provide for the well-being of a child in care. The written
plan shall describe the staffing for each facility, for 24 hours per day, seven
days per week and shall explain:
1. How
direct care staff coverage is assured:
a.
When assigned direct care staff are absent due to illness, vacation, or other
leave of absence; and
b. During
emergencies, unplanned staff shortages, and when circumstances require
additional staff;
2. The
methods the licensee uses to assure adequate communication and support among
direct care staff to provide continuity of services to a child in care;
and
3. Direct care staff
requirements for monitoring and documenting safety checks while a child in care
is sleeping.
B. The
licensee shall also have a written staffing schedule for each facility shift;
the schedule shall document the direct care staff actually on duty during each
shift. If there is a last minute or planned change to staffing, the licensee
shall indicate on the staffing schedule. The licensee shall retain the schedule
in one designated location at each facility for at least two years.
C. The licensee shall maintain paid direct
care staff in the facility subject to the table below. The licensee shall
assess the individual needs of the children in care and determine if additional
paid direct care staff is necessary.
|
Age
|
Minimum required direct care staff in the
facility per number of children (staff-to-child ratio)
|
|
Under the age of three years old
|
One paid direct care staff shall not care for more
than five children under the age of three years old. At least one paid staff
for each six children when children are sleeping.
|
|
Ages three years through five years old
|
One paid direct care staff shall not care for more
than six children ages three through five years old. At least one paid staff
member in each building where children are in care are sleeping.
|
|
Ages six years through 11 years old
|
One paid direct care staff shall not care for more
than eight children ages six years through 11 years old. At least one paid
staff in each building where children in care are sleeping.
|
|
Ages 12 years through 17 years old
|
One paid direct care staff shall not care for more
than 10 children ages 12 years through 17 years old. At least one paid staff in
each building where children in care are sleeping.
|
|
Young Adults
|
One paid direct care staff shall not care for more
than 10 children ages 18 years old and more. At least one paid staff onsite for
each 20 young adults.
|
D.
For a multilevel facility the licensee shall have a minimum of one direct care
staff for each living unit during sleeping hours, excluding single family
homes.
E. The licensee shall have
direct care staff in each building at each facility on shift who are trained
and authorized to apply:
1. How to promote
normalcy consistent with the program and policy of the Agency, and
2. Appropriate techniques of behavior
management consistent with the program and policy of the Agency.
F. For the purpose of the direct
care staff to child ratios in subsection (C):
1. Students and volunteers do not count as
staff,
2. Staff providing
one-on-one supervision for a designated child do not count as part of the
overall direct staff-child ratio, and
3. Any child who lives at the facility is
counted towards the ratio requirements.
G. The licensee shall not fall below the
minimum direct care staff-child ratios specified in this Section and in
addition shall maintain:
1. Direct care staff
sufficient to care for a child as prescribed in this Article and in the
licensee's own program description, statement of purpose, and policies;
and
2. Practices or policies that
take the following factors into account:
a.
The ages, capabilities, developmental levels, and service plans of a child in
care;
b. The time of day, and the
size and type of the facility;
c.
The facility's history and the frequency and severity of unusual incidents,
including runaways, sexual acting-out behavior, disciplinary problems, and
injuries; and
d. Any other
information relevant to the need of a child in care at the facility.
H. The licensee shall
have a sufficient number of qualified staff to perform the direct service,
clerical, fiscal, food service, housekeeping, and maintenance functions
prescribed in this Article and in the licensee's own policies.
