La. SOCIAL SERVICES § V-7523 - Safety Program

A. Policies and Procedures

1. The provider shall have policies and procedures and practices that ensure an on-going safety program is maintained.

B. General Safety Practices

1. Firearms and weapons shall be prohibited in secure areas. The provider shall require that visiting law enforcement personnel store their weapons either in provided lock-boxes or locked in their vehicles.

2. Staff shall accompany private contractors, who have not received the appropriate background checks, and CANS check, when in the presence of youth.

3. The provider shall ensure that a properly equipped first aid kit is located near each living unit.

C. Security

1. Doors and Perimeter Control

a. The provider shall maintain controlled access to the facility and internal doors at all times.

b. The provider shall designate entrances and exits for use by staff and the public. Designated perimeter entrances and doors will be secured to ensure that youth remain on facility grounds and to prevent unauthorized public access to the facility.

c. The provider shall record admissions and departures of visitors entering and exiting the facility to include the nature of business, arrival and departure times, and a brief notation of unusual circumstances surrounding any visit.

d. The provider shall control access to any vehicular entrance, when applicable.

e. The provider shall maintain security of all doors, unoccupied areas and storage rooms and accessibility of authorized persons to secured areas.

2. Youth Supervision and Movement

a. Supervision of movement shall include the following:

i. staff shall be aware of the location and the number of youth he/she is responsible for at all times;

ii. staff shall not leave his/her area of responsibility without first informing the supervisor;

iii. staff shall conduct a periodic head count; iv. instruction shall be provided for staff escorting youth within and outside the facility;

v. prohibition of the supervision of youth by youth; and

vi. shift assignments, including the use, location, and scope of assignment.

vii. shift assignments, including the use, location, and scope of assignment.

3. Searches

a. The provider shall have a written policy and procedure for conducting searches.

b. The provider shall conduct routine and unannounced searches/inspections of all areas of the physical plant and other areas deemed necessary by administration to ensure the facility remains secure at all times.

c. The provider shall conduct individual room searches when necessary with the least amount of disruption and with respect for youth's personal property.

d. Search of visitors shall be conducted when it is deemed necessary (as permitted by applicable law) to ensure the safety and security of the operation of the facility.

e. Searches of youth, except body cavity searches conducted by a qualified medical professional, shall be conducted by a facility staff member of the same gender as the youth and limited to the following conditions:

i. pat down/frisk search to prevent concealment of contraband and as necessary for facility security; and

ii. oral cavity search to prevent concealment of contraband, to ensure the proper administration of medication, and as necessary for facility security.

f. Youth may be required to surrender their clothing and submit to a strip search under the following guidelines:

i. only if there is reasonable suspicion to believe that youth are concealing contraband or it is necessary for facility security; and

ii only with supervisory approval.

g. Youth may be required to undergo body cavity search under the following guidelines:

i. only if there is reasonable suspicion to believe that youth are concealing contraband;

ii. only with the approval of the administrator or designee; and

iii. only if conducted by a qualified medical professional, in the presence of one other staff member of the same gender as the youth being searched.

h. The provider shall document justification for a body cavity search and the results of the search placed in the youth's file.

i. All searches, excluding pat down/frisk searches, shall be conducted with youth individually and in a private setting.

j. Staff shall not conduct searches of youth and/or youth's room as harassment or for the purpose of punishment or discipline.

4. Key Control

a. The provider shall ensure safe and secure inventory, accountability, distribution, storage, loss, transfer, and emergency availability of all keys. The provider shall develop and implement written policy addressing loss of keys.

5. Equipment and Tool Control

a. The provider shall ensure safe and secure inventory, accountability, distribution, storage of all tools and equipment. The provider shall develop and implement a written policy addressing loss of equipment and tools.

b. Equipment and tool use by youth shall be under the direct supervision of designated staff and according to state law.

Notes

La. SOCIAL SERVICES § V-7523

Promulgated by the Department of Children and Family Services, Division of Programs, Licensing Section, LR 38:1581 (July 2012), Amended by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Juvenile Justice, LR 50, exp. 1/20/2025(Emergency), Amended by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Juvenile Justice, LR 51546 (4/1/2025).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 15:1110.