Or. Admin. R. 461-165-0180 - [Effective until 2/27/2023] Eligibility of Child Care Providers
(1) The
Department must approve a child care provider to receive payment for child care
if information available to the Department provides no basis for denying
eligibility unless it is determined that the provider or other subject
individual (see OAR 125-007-0210, 407-007-0210(12)(a)(K), and
414-061-0030) is not eligible for payment.
(2) The Department may approve a child care
provider who is legally exempt (see section (11) of this
rule)as a child care provider for a child (see OAR
461-001-0000) in their household, if all members of the household have an
enrollment (see OAR 414-061-0010) or limited
enrollment (see OAR 414-061-0010) in the Central Background
Registry (see OAR 414-061-0020) and all of the following requirements
are met:
(a) There is no criminal history
consisting of a disqualifying crime listed in
45 CFR
98.43(c).
(b) The household member with the criminal or
child abuse and neglect history is a parent (see OAR
461-001-0000) or caretaker relative (see OAR 461-001-0000) of
the child needing child care.
(c) The child care is needed for the
household member with the criminal or child abuse and neglect history to
participate in the JOBS program, or the education or employment covered by the
ERDC program.
(d) The approval for
Department payments only applies for the child of the
household member, or a child for whom the household member is
a caretaker relative.
(3) Ineligibility for payment may result from
any of the following and begins on the date of occurrence:
(a) A violation of a requirement under
section (7) of this rule.
(b) A
finding of "denied".
(A) A provider may be
"denied" if they are not enrolled in or are suspended from the Central
Background Registry if they have submitted an application for
enrollment in the Central Background Registry that has been
denied for cause, or if they have been removed for cause from the
Central Background Registry by final order of the Office of
Child Care (OCC) and have not been re-enrolled. A subject
individual who has been denied enrollment in the Central
Background Registry due to a determination of unsuitability shall not
be eligible for enrollment in the Central Background Registry
for five years from the date of denial.
(B) A subject individual may
appeal OCC's determination not to enroll the subject
individual in the Central Background Registry,
pursuant to OAR 414-061-0120.
(c) A finding of "failed".
(A) A provider may be "failed" if the
Department determines, based on a specific eligibility requirement and
evidence, that a provider does not meet an eligibility requirement of this rule
not covered in paragraph (c)(A) of this section.
(B) While the provider is in "failed" status:
(i) The Department does not pay any other
child care provider for child care at the "failed" provider's site.
(ii) The Department does not pay a child care
provider at another site if the "failed" provider is involved in the child care
operation unless the Department determines that the reasons the provider is in
"failed" status are not relevant to the new site.
(C) A provider with a status of "failed" may
reapply at any time by providing the required documents and information to the
Department for review.
(d) A finding of "suspended".
(A) A provider may be "suspended" if the
Department determines and provides notice that the provider does not meet an
eligibility requirement in the following subsections and paragraphs of section
(7) of this rule: (b), (d), (e), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (p)(H), (p)(I),
(p)(L), (u), or in section (10) of this rule. A provider who has been
"suspended" may challenge this status by requesting a contested case hearing
subject to the requirements and limitations of OAR 461-025.
(B) While the provider is in "suspended"
status:
(i) The provider is ineligible for
payment for at least six months.
(ii) The Department does not pay any other
child care provider for child care at the "suspended" provider's
site.
(iii) The Department does not
pay a child care provider at another site if the "suspended" provider is
involved in the child care operation unless the Department determines that the
reasons the provider is in "suspended" status are not relevant to the new
site.
(C) A provider
with a status of "suspended" may be eligible for payments after the six month
ineligibility period ends when the provider has been approved following
reapplication, including providing the required documents and information to
the Department for review.
(e) The Department has referred an
overpayment against the provider for collection and the claim is
unsatisfied.
(4) The
provider must submit a completed Child Care Provider Listing Form (DHS 7494) to
the Department within 30 calendar days from the date the Department issues the
listing form to the client. The provider and each subject
individual must be enrolled in the Central Background
Registry without condition or limitation as provided under OAR
414-061-0090. Any other subject individual must hold a
conditional or limited enrollment as allowed under OAR 414-061-0000 through
414-061-0120.
(5) To receive
payment or authorization for payment, the provider must comply with at least
one of the following subsections:
(a) If the
provider is not legally exempt:
(A) Be currently certified or registered with
OCC under OAR 414-205-0000 to 414-205-0170, 414-300-0000 to 414-300-0440, or
414-350-0000 to 414-350-0250 and be in compliance with the applicable
rules;
(B) Complete the
Department's listing process; and
(C) Be approved by the Department.
(b) If the provider is
legally exempt and a legally exempt relative
(see section (11) of this rule):
(A) Complete
the Central Background Registry enrollment procedures under
OAR 414-061-0090;
(B) Complete the
Department's listing process; and
(C) Be approved by the Department.
(c) If the provider is
legally exempt and not a legally exempt
relative for all children in care:
(A) Meet all OCC Regulated Subsidy Provider
requirements under OAR 414-180-0005 through 414-180-0100;
(B) Submit to and pass a site visit at the
location where care will be provided;
(C) Complete the Central Background
Registry enrollment procedures under OAR 414-061-0090;
(D) Complete the Department's listing
process; and
(E) Be approved by the
Department.
(d) In the
case of a tribally licensed child care facility:
(A) Must receive annual health and safety
inspections from the Indian Health Services;
(B) Each individual who may have unsupervised
access to a child in care must be enrolled in the Central Background
Registry;
(C) Complete the
Department's listing process; and
(D) Be approved by the Department.
(6) Each provider and
each subject individual must have a history of behavior that
indicates no substantial risk to the health or safety of a
child in the care of the provider.
(7) Each provider must:
(a) Obtain written approval from their
certifier or certifier's supervisor if the provider is also certified as a
foster parent.
(b) Be 18 years of
age or older and meet all of the following:
(A) Be enrolled in and not suspended from the
Central Background Registry or be in an approved status by the
Department;
(B) Have competence,
sound judgment and self-control when working with children; and
(C) Be mentally, physically and emotionally
capable of performing duties related to child care.
(c) Not be in the same ERDC or TANF filing
group (see OAR 461-110-0330 and 461-110-0350) as the child
cared for; the parent (see OAR 461-001-0000) of a
child in the filing group; or a sibling
living in the home of the child.
(d) Allow the Department to visit or inspect
the site of care while child care is provided.
(e) Keep daily attendance records accurately
showing the arrival and departure times for each child in
care.
(A) Times must be accurately recorded as
the child care children arrive and depart.
(B) Written attendance and billing records
for each child receiving child care benefits from the
Department must be retained for a minimum of 12 months.
(C) All records of attendance and billing
must be provided to the Department upon request.
(f) Be the individual or facility listed as
providing the child care.
(g) Only
use someone else to supervise a child on a temporary basis if
all of the following are met:
(A) The person
was included on the most current listing form;
(B) The person is enrolled in the
Central Background Registry; and
(C) The provider notifies the Direct Pay Unit
(DPU).
(h) Not bill a
Department client for an amount collected by the Department to recover an
overpayment or an amount paid by the Department to a creditor of the provider
because of a lien, garnishment, or other legal process.
(i) Report to DPU within five days of
occurrence:
(A) Any arrest, indictment, or
conviction of any subject individual or individual described
in section (5) of this rule.
(B)
Any involvement of any subject individual or individual
described in section (5) of this rule with CPS; the Office of Training,
Investigations and Safety (OTIS); or any other agencies providing child or
adult protective services.
(C) Any
change to the provider's name or address including any location where care is
provided.
(D) The addition of any
subject individual.
(E) Any reason the provider no longer meets
the requirements under this rule.
(j) Report suspected child abuse of any
child in the provider's care to the child abuse and neglect
hotline or a law enforcement agency.
(k) Supervise each child in
care at all times. This includes being within sight or sound of all children;
being aware of what each child is doing; being near enough to children to
respond when needed; and being physically present when kindergarten-age or
younger children are playing outside, unless the play area is fully fenced and
hazard free.
(l) Prevent any
individual who behaves in a manner that may harm children from having access to
a child in the care of the provider. This includes anyone
under the influence (see section (12) of this rule).
(m) Allow the custodial parent of a
child in the provider's care to have immediate access to the
child at all times.
(n) Inform a parent of the need to obtain
immunizations for a child and have a completed, up-to-date
Oregon shot record called the "Certification of Immunization Status" (CIS)
form, or a non-medical or medical Exemption form, on file for each
child in care.
(o)
Take reasonable steps to protect a child in the provider's
care from the spread of infectious diseases.
(p) Ensure that the home or facility where
care is provided meets all of the following standards:
(A) Each floor level used by a
child has two usable exits to the outdoors (a sliding door or
window that can be used to evacuate a child is considered a
usable exit). If a second floor is used for child care, the provider must have
a written plan for evacuating occupants in the event of an emergency.
(B) The home or facility has water that is
safe for drinking and preparing food (see section (14) of this rule).
(C) The home or facility has a working smoke
detector on each floor level and in any area where a child
naps.
(D) Each fireplace, space
heater, electrical outlet, wood stove, stairway, pool, pond, and any other
hazard has a barrier to protect a child. Any gate or barrier
may not pose a risk or hazard to any child in care.
(E) Any firearm, ammunition, and other items
that may be dangerous to children, including but not limited to alcohol,
inhalants, tobacco and e-cigarette products, matches and lighters, any legally
prescribed or over-the-counter medicine, cleaning supplies, paint, plastic
bags, and poisonous and toxic materials are kept in a secure place out of a
child's reach.
(F) The building,
grounds, any toy, equipment, and furniture are maintained in a clean, sanitary,
and hazard-free condition.
(G) The
home or facility has a telephone in operating condition.
(H) No one may smoke or carry any lighted
smoking instrument, including e-cigarettes or vaporizers, in the home or
facility or within ten feet of any entrance, exit, window that opens, or any
ventilation intake that serves an enclosed area, during child care operational
hours or anytime child care children are present. No one may use smokeless
tobacco in the home or facility during child care operational hours or anytime
child care children are present. No one may smoke or carry any lighted smoking
instrument, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers, or use smokeless tobacco in
motor vehicles while child care children are passengers.
(I) No one may consume alcohol or use
controlled substances (except legally prescribed and over-the-counter
medications) or marijuana (including medical marijuana) on the
premises (see section (12) of this rule) during child care
operational hours or anytime child care children are present. No one
under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances (except
legally prescribed and over-the-counter medications) or marijuana (including
medical marijuana) may be on the premises during child care
operational hours or anytime child care children are present. No one may
consume alcohol or use controlled substances (except legally prescribed and
over-the-counter medications) or marijuana (including medical marijuana) in
motor vehicles while child care children are passengers.
(J) Is not a half-way house, hotel, motel,
shelter, or other temporary housing such as a tent, trailer, or motor home. The
restriction in this paragraph does not apply to licensed (registered or
certified) care approved in a hotel, motel, or shelter.
(K) Is not a structure -
(i) Designed to be transportable;
and
(ii) Not attached to the
ground, another structure, or to any utilities system on the same
premises.
(L) Controlled substances (except lawfully
prescribed and over-the-counter medications), marijuana (including medical
marijuana, marijuana edibles, and other products containing marijuana),
marijuana plants, derivatives, and associated paraphernalia may not be on the
premises during child care operational hours or anytime child care children are
present.
(q) Complete
and submit a new listing form every two years, or sooner at the request of the
Department, so that the Department may review the provider's
eligibility.
(r) Provide evidence
of compliance with the Department's administrative rules, upon request of
Department staff.
(s) Comply with
state and federal laws related to child safety systems and seat belts in
vehicles, bicycle safety, and crib standards under
16 CFR
1219 and
1220.
(t) Place infants to sleep on their
backs.
(u) Not hold a medical
marijuana card; or distribute, grow, or use marijuana (including medical
marijuana) or any controlled substance (except lawfully prescribed and
over-the-counter medications).
(v)
Develop and communicate expulsion and suspension policies to parents and
caretakers.
(w) Provide care at a
location within the state of Oregon.
(8)
Legally exempt providers
must complete the "Introduction to Child Care Health and Safety" two-hour,
web-based training prior to Department approval.
(9)
Legally exempt providers
must complete the two part orientation provided by the Department or a Child
Care Resource and Referral agency within 90 days of being approved by the
Department if the provider begins providing child care services after June 30,
2010, or resumes providing child care services, after a break of more than one
year that began after June 30, 2010.
(10) Child care providers and any individual
supervising, transporting, preparing meals, or otherwise working in the
proximity of child care children and those completing daily attendance and
billing records shall not be under the influence.
(11) For purposes of these rules:
(a) "Premises" means the home or facility
structure and grounds, including indoors and outdoors and space not directly
used for child care.
(b) "Under the
influence" means observed abnormal behavior or impairments in mental or
physical performance leading a reasonable person to believe the individual has
used alcohol, any controlled substances (including lawfully prescribed and
over-the-counter medications), marijuana (including medical marijuana), or
inhalants that impairs their performance of essential job function or creates a
direct threat to child care children or others. Examples of abnormal behaviors
include, but are not limited to hallucinations, paranoia, or violent outbursts.
Examples of impairments in physical or mental performance include, but are not
limited to slurred speech as well as difficulty walking or performing job
activities.
(c) "Legally exempt"
means the child care provider is exempt from licensing with the OCC because the
provider is not subject to the licensing requirements under OAR 414-205-0000 to
414-205-0170, OAR 414-350-000 to 414-350-0405, and OAR 414-300-0000 to
414-300-0415.
(d) "Legally exempt
relative" means a legally exempt provider who is a relative to
all children in care including a great-grandparent, grandparent, aunt, uncle,
or sibling not living in the home of any child in
care.
(12)
Legally exempt providers that are not a legally exempt
relative to all children in care must meet all of the requirements in
this section:
(a) Before approval by the
Department:
(A) Have an up-to-date, in-person
infant and child CPR and first aid certification or have a currently valid
waiver of this requirement from the Child Care Resource and Referral
program.
(B) Complete the
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (RRCAN) web-based or
classroom training.
(b)
After approval by the Department:
(A) Complete
six hours of ongoing education in each two-year listing period as provided in
this subsection. All trainings must be accepted by the Oregon Center for Career
Development (OCCD) and be part of the OCCD's 10 Core Knowledge Categories
recognized by Oregon Registry Online to count toward the six hours.
(i) Two of the six hours must fall under the
"Human Growth and Development" category; and
(ii) Two of the six hours must cover
"Understanding & Guiding Behavior".
(B) Complete a Health and Safety training
offered by OCCD annually.
(C)
Complete the Child Development training offered by OCCD, as follows:
(i) Providers approved on or after October 1,
2022 must complete the training within 90 days of ODHS approval.
(ii) Providers approved before October 1,
2022 must complete the training by December 31, 2022 to remain
approved.
(13) Child care centers or programs that are
legally exempt from certification or registration with OCC,
are located in a commercial or institutional facility, and receive payment from
the Department on behalf of a family receiving a child care subsidy, must
comply with the following minimum staff to children in care ratios:
(a) Six weeks through 23 months of age, the
minimum number of staff to children is one to four. The maximum number of
children in a group is eight.
(b)
24 months through 35 months of age, the minimum number of staff to children is
one to five. The maximum number of children in a group is 10.
(c) 36 months of age to attending
kindergarten, minimum number of staff to children is one to 10. The maximum
number of children in a group is 20.
(d) Attending kindergarten and older, the
minimum number of staff to children is one to 15. The maximum number of
children in a group is 30.
(e) In a
mixed-age group of children, the number of staff and group size shall be
determined by the age of the youngest child in the group.
(14) Except as noted otherwise below, the
requirements of this section are in effect starting September 30, 2018. As used
in this section, "drinking water faucet or fixture" means any plumbing fixture
on the premises used to obtain water for drinking, cooking, preparing infant
formula or preparing food. This section only applies to a provider who is
legally exempt and not a legally exempt
relative. This section applies to legally exempt
providers approved to receive Department subsidy payments prior to September
30, 2018. This section applies to legally exempt providers who
submit a completed Child Care Provider Listing form for Department-approval
starting September 30, 2018. This section does not apply to care provided in
the child's home when the legally exempt provider lives
somewhere else.
(a) In locations where care is
provided, lead testing is required for each drinking water faucet or
fixture.
(b) Providers
must test each drinking water faucet or fixture at least once
every six years from the date of the last test. Providers who have had a
drinking water faucets or fixture tested within six years
prior to the effective date of this rule will need to submit the results to
OCC.
(c) If a home or facility does
not use any of the on-site plumbing fixtures to obtain water for drinking,
cooking, preparing infant formula, or preparing food, the provider must:
(A) Submit a written statement to the
Department or OCC identifying the alternative source of water and confirming
that the provider does not use any on-site plumbing fixtures for drinking,
cooking, preparing infant formula, or preparing food; and
(B) Notify the Department or OCC in writing
if the alternative source of water changes.
(d) All sample collection and testing must be
in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s 3Ts for Reducing
Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities, Revised Manual
from October 2018, adopted by this reference.
(A) If test results show water from any
drinking water faucet or fixture has 15 parts per billion
(ppb) or more of lead, the provider must:
(i)
Prevent access to that drinking water faucet or fixture
immediately after receiving the test results; and
(ii) Continue to prevent access to that
drinking water faucet or fixture until mitigation is completed
in accordance with paragraph (B) of this subsection.
(B) Following receipt of test results showing
that water from any drinking water faucet or fixture has 15
parts per billion (ppb) or more of lead, the provider must comply with all of
the following sub-paragraphs:
(i) Submit a
corrective action plan to the Department or OCC for approval within 60 days of
receiving the test results. The corrective action plan must identify an
appropriate mitigation strategy in accordance with Module 6 of the EPA's 3Ts
for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities,
Revised Manual from October 2018, adopted by this reference.
(ii) Implement the mitigation method within
30 days of approval by OCC.
(C) A provider who fails to submit a
corrective action or a mitigation method is no longer eligible to receive child
care subsidy payments.
(e) The provider must keep a copy of the most
recent test results on-site at all times.
(f) Providers must follow the routine
practices identified in Module 6 of the EPA's 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking
Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities, Revised Manual from October
2018.
(15) A child care
provider approved to receive payment may become retroactively ineligible for
payment starting on the date the provider violates a requirement under this
rule, regardless of the date of the finding.
(16) The Oregon Department of Human Services
Background Check Unit (BCU) shall retain their authority to determine
eligibility for any child care provider applications, including incomplete
applications, submitted before September 1, 2022.
Notes
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 181.537, 329A.500, 409.050, 411.060 & 411.070
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 181.537, 329A.340, 329A.500, 409.010, 409.050, 409.610, 411.060, 411.070, 411.122 & HB 3073 Oregon 2021 Reg. Sess.
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
(1) The Department must approve a child care provider to receive payment for child care if information available to the Department provides no basis for denying eligibility unless it is determined that the provider or other subject individual (see OAR 125-007-0210, 407-007-0210(12)(a)(K), and 414-061-0030) is not eligible for payment.
(2) The Department may approve a child care provider who is legally exempt (see section (11) of this rule) as a child care provider for a child (see OAR 461-001-0000) in their household, if all members of the household have an enrollment (see OAR 414-061-0010) or limited enrollment (see OAR 414-061-0010) in the Central Background Registry (see OAR 414-061-0020) and all of the following requirements are met:
(a) There is no criminal history consisting of a disqualifying crime listed in 45 CFR 98.43(c).
(b) The household member with the criminal or child abuse and neglect history is a parent (see OAR 461-001-0000) or caretaker relative (see OAR 461-001-0000) of the child needing child care.
(c) The child care is needed for the household member with the criminal or child abuse and neglect history to participate in the JOBS program, or the education or employment covered by the ERDC program.
(d) The approval for Department payments only applies for the child of the household member, or a child for whom the household member is a caretaker relative.
(3) Ineligibility for payment may result from any of the following and begins on the date of occurrence:
(a) A violation of a requirement under section (7) of this rule.
(b) A finding of "denied".
(A) A provider may be "denied" if they are not enrolled in or are suspended from the Central Background Registry if they have submitted an application for enrollment in the Central Background Registry that has been denied for cause, or if they have been removed for cause from the Central Background Registry by final order of the Office of Child Care (OCC) and have not been re-enrolled. A subject individual who has been denied enrollment in the Central Background Registry due to a determination of unsuitability shall not be eligible for enrollment in the Central Background Registry for five years from the date of denial.
(B) A subject individual may appeal OCC's determination not to enroll the subject individual in the Central Background Registry, pursuant to OAR 414-061-0120.
(c) A finding of "failed".
(A) A provider may be "failed" if the Department determines, based on a specific eligibility requirement and evidence, that a provider does not meet an eligibility requirement of this rule not covered in paragraph (c)(A) of this section.
(B) While the provider is in "failed" status:
(i) The Department does not pay any other child care provider for child care at the "failed" provider's site.
(ii) The Department does not pay a child care provider at another site if the "failed" provider is involved in the child care operation unless the Department determines that the reasons the provider is in "failed" status are not relevant to the new site.
(C) A provider with a status of "failed" may reapply at any time by providing the required documents and information to the Department for review.
(d) A finding of "suspended".
(A) A provider may be "suspended" if the Department determines and provides notice that the provider does not meet an eligibility requirement in the following subsections and paragraphs of section (7) of this rule: (b), (d), (e), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (p)(H), (p)(I), (p)(L), (u), or in section (10) of this rule. A provider who has been "suspended" may challenge this status by requesting a contested case hearing subject to the requirements and limitations of OAR 461-025.
(B) While the provider is in "suspended" status:
(i) The provider is ineligible for payment for at least six months.
(ii) The Department does not pay any other child care provider for child care at the "suspended" provider's site.
(iii) The Department does not pay a child care provider at another site if the "suspended" provider is involved in the child care operation unless the Department determines that the reasons the provider is in "suspended" status are not relevant to the new site.
(C) A provider with a status of "suspended" may be eligible for payments after the six month ineligibility period ends when the provider has been approved following reapplication, including providing the required documents and information to the Department for review.
(e) The Department has referred an overpayment against the provider for collection and the claim is unsatisfied.
(4) The provider must submit a completed Child Care Provider Listing Form (DHS 7494) to the Department within 30 calendar days from the date the Department issues the listing form to the client. The provider and each subject individual must be enrolled in the Central Background Registry without condition or limitation as provided under OAR 414-061-0090. Any other subject individual must hold a conditional or limited enrollment as allowed under OAR 414-061-0000 through 414-061-0120.
(5) To receive payment or authorization for payment, the provider must comply with at least one of the following subsections:
(a) If the provider is not legally exempt:
(A) Be currently certified or registered with OCC under OAR 414-205-0000 to 414-205-0170, 414-300-0000 to 414-300-0440, or 414-350-0000 to 414-350-0250 and be in compliance with the applicable rules;
(B) Complete the Department's listing process; and
(C) Be approved by the Department.
(b) If the provider is legally exempt and a legally exempt relative (see section (11) of this rule):
(A) Complete the Central Background Registry enrollment procedures under OAR 414-061-0090;
(B) Complete the Department's listing process; and
(C) Be approved by the Department.
(c) If the provider is legally exempt and not a legally exempt relative for all children in care:
(A) Meet all OCC Regulated Subsidy Provider requirements under OAR 414-180-0005 through 414-180-0100;
(B) Submit to and pass a site visit at the location where care will be provided;
(C) Complete the Central Background Registry enrollment procedures under OAR 414-061-0090;
(D) Complete the Department's listing process; and
(E) Be approved by the Department.
(d) In the case of a tribally licensed child care facility:
(A) Must receive annual health and safety inspections from the Indian Health Services;
(B) Each individual who may have unsupervised access to a child in care must be enrolled in the Central Background Registry;
(C) Complete the Department's listing process; and
(D) Be approved by the Department.
(6) Each provider and each subject individual must have a history of behavior that indicates no substantial risk to the health or safety of a child in the care of the provider.
(7) Each provider must:
(a) Obtain written approval from their certifier or certifier's supervisor if the provider is also certified as a foster parent.
(b) Be 18 years of age or older and meet all of the following:
(A) Be enrolled in and not suspended from the Central Background Registry or be in an approved status by the Department;
(B) Have competence, sound judgment and self-control when working with children; and
(C) Be mentally, physically and emotionally capable of performing duties related to child care.
(c) Not be in the same ERDC or TANF filing group (see OAR 461-110-0330 and 461-110-0350) as the child cared for; the parent (see OAR 461-001-0000) of a child in the filing group; or a sibling living in the home of the child.
(d) Allow the Department to visit or inspect the site of care while child care is provided.
(e) Keep daily attendance records accurately showing the arrival and departure times for each child in care.
(A) Times must be accurately recorded as the child care children arrive and depart.
(B) Written attendance and billing records for each child receiving child care benefits from the Department must be retained for a minimum of 12 months.
(C) All records of attendance and billing must be provided to the Department upon request.
(f) Be the individual or facility listed as providing the child care.
(g) Only use someone else to supervise a child on a temporary basis if all of the following are met:
(A) The person was included on the most current listing form;
(B) The person is enrolled in the Central Background Registry; and
(C) The provider notifies the Direct Pay Unit (DPU).
(h) Not bill a Department client for an amount collected by the Department to recover an overpayment or an amount paid by the Department to a creditor of the provider because of a lien, garnishment, or other legal process.
(i) Report to DPU within five days of occurrence:
(A) Any arrest, indictment, or conviction of any subject individual or individual described in section (5) of this rule.
(B) Any involvement of any subject individual or individual described in section (5) of this rule with CPS; the Office of Training, Investigations and Safety (OTIS); or any other agencies providing child or adult protective services.
(C) Any change to the provider's name or address including any location where care is provided.
(D) The addition of any subject individual.
(E) Any reason the provider no longer meets the requirements under this rule.
(j) Report suspected child abuse of any child in the provider's care to the child abuse and neglect hotline or a law enforcement agency.
(k) Supervise each child in care at all times. This includes being within sight or sound of all children; being aware of what each child is doing; being near enough to children to respond when needed; and being physically present when kindergarten-age or younger children are playing outside, unless the play area is fully fenced and hazard free.
(l) Prevent any individual who behaves in a manner that may harm children from having access to a child in the care of the provider. This includes anyone under the influence (see section (12) of this rule).
(m) Allow the custodial parent of a child in the provider's care to have immediate access to the child at all times.
(n) Inform a parent of the need to obtain immunizations for a child and have a completed, up-to-date Oregon shot record called the "Certification of Immunization Status" (CIS) form, or a non-medical or medical Exemption form, on file for each child in care.
(o) Take reasonable steps to protect a child in the provider's care from the spread of infectious diseases.
(p) Ensure that the home or facility where care is provided meets all of the following standards:
(A) Each floor level used by a child has two usable exits to the outdoors (a sliding door or window that can be used to evacuate a child is considered a usable exit). If a second floor is used for child care, the provider must have a written plan for evacuating occupants in the event of an emergency.
(B) The home or facility has water that is safe for drinking and preparing food (see section (14) of this rule).
(C) The home or facility has a working smoke detector on each floor level and in any area where a child naps.
(D) Each fireplace, space heater, electrical outlet, wood stove, stairway, pool, pond, and any other hazard has a barrier to protect a child. Any gate or barrier may not pose a risk or hazard to any child in care.
(E) Any firearm, ammunition, and other items that may be dangerous to children, including but not limited to alcohol, inhalants, tobacco and e-cigarette products, matches and lighters, any legally prescribed or over-the-counter medicine, cleaning supplies, paint, plastic bags, and poisonous and toxic materials are kept in a secure place out of a child's reach.
(F) The building, grounds, any toy, equipment, and furniture are maintained in a clean, sanitary, and hazard-free condition.
(G) The home or facility has a telephone in operating condition.
(H) No one may smoke or carry any lighted smoking instrument, including e-cigarettes or vaporizers, in the home or facility or within ten feet of any entrance, exit, window that opens, or any ventilation intake that serves an enclosed area, during child care operational hours or anytime child care children are present. No one may use smokeless tobacco in the home or facility during child care operational hours or anytime child care children are present. No one may smoke or carry any lighted smoking instrument, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers, or use smokeless tobacco in motor vehicles while child care children are passengers.
(I) No one may consume alcohol or use controlled substances (except legally prescribed and over-the-counter medications) or marijuana (including medical marijuana) on the premises (see section (12) of this rule) during child care operational hours or anytime child care children are present. No one under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances (except legally prescribed and over-the-counter medications) or marijuana (including medical marijuana) may be on the premises during child care operational hours or anytime child care children are present. No one may consume alcohol or use controlled substances (except legally prescribed and over-the-counter medications) or marijuana (including medical marijuana) in motor vehicles while child care children are passengers.
(J) Is not a half-way house, hotel, motel, shelter, or other temporary housing such as a tent, trailer, or motor home. The restriction in this paragraph does not apply to licensed (registered or certified) care approved in a hotel, motel, or shelter.
(K) Is not a structure -
(i) Designed to be transportable; and
(ii) Not attached to the ground, another structure, or to any utilities system on the same premises.
(L) Controlled substances (except lawfully prescribed and over-the-counter medications), marijuana (including medical marijuana, marijuana edibles, and other products containing marijuana), marijuana plants, derivatives, and associated paraphernalia may not be on the premises during child care operational hours or anytime child care children are present.
(q) Complete and submit a new listing form every two years, or sooner at the request of the Department, so that the Department may review the provider's eligibility.
(r) Provide evidence of compliance with the Department's administrative rules, upon request of Department staff.
(s) Comply with state and federal laws related to child safety systems and seat belts in vehicles, bicycle safety, and crib standards under 16 CFR 1219 and 1220.
(t) Place infants to sleep on their backs.
(u) Not hold a medical marijuana card; or distribute, grow, or use marijuana (including medical marijuana) or any controlled substance (except lawfully prescribed and over-the-counter medications).
(v) Develop and communicate expulsion and suspension policies to parents and caretakers.
(w) Provide care at a location within the state of Oregon.
(8) Legally exempt providers must complete the "Introduction to Child Care Health and Safety" two-hour, web-based training prior to Department approval.
(9) Legally exempt providers must complete the two part orientation provided by the Department or a Child Care Resource and Referral agency within 90 days of being approved by the Department if the provider begins providing child care services after June 30, 2010, or resumes providing child care services, after a break of more than one year that began after June 30, 2010.
(10) Child care providers and any individual supervising, transporting, preparing meals, or otherwise working in the proximity of child care children and those completing daily attendance and billing records shall not be under the influence.
(11) For purposes of these rules:
(a) "Premises" means the home or facility structure and grounds, including indoors and outdoors and space not directly used for child care.
(b) "Under the influence" means observed abnormal behavior or impairments in mental or physical performance leading a reasonable person to believe the individual has used alcohol, any controlled substances (including lawfully prescribed and over-the-counter medications), marijuana (including medical marijuana), or inhalants that impairs their performance of essential job function or creates a direct threat to child care children or others. Examples of abnormal behaviors include, but are not limited to hallucinations, paranoia, or violent outbursts. Examples of impairments in physical or mental performance include, but are not limited to slurred speech as well as difficulty walking or performing job activities.
(c) "Legally exempt" means the child care provider is exempt from licensing with the OCC because the provider is not subject to the licensing requirements under OAR 414-205-0000 to 414-205-0170, OAR 414-350-000 to 414-350-0405, and OAR 414-300-0000 to 414-300-0415.
(d) "Legally exempt relative" means a legally exempt provider who is a relative to all children in care including a great-grandparent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling not living in the home of any child in care.
(12) Legally exempt providers that are not a legally exempt relative to all children in care must meet all of the requirements in this section:
(a) Before approval by the Department:
(A) Have an up-to-date, in-person infant and child CPR and first aid certification or have a currently valid waiver of this requirement from the Child Care Resource and Referral program.
(B) Complete the Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (RRCAN) web-based or classroom training.
(b) After approval by the Department:
(A) Complete six hours of ongoing education in each two-year listing period as provided in this subsection. All trainings must be accepted by the Oregon Center for Career Development (OCCD) and be part of the OCCD's 10 Core Knowledge Categories recognized by Oregon Registry Online to count toward the six hours.
(i) Two of the six hours must fall under the "Human Growth and Development" category; and
(ii) Two of the six hours must cover "Understanding & Guiding Behavior".
(B) Complete a Health and Safety training offered by OCCD annually.
(C) Complete the Child Development training offered by OCCD, as follows:
(i) Providers approved on or after October 1, 2022 must complete the training within 90 days of ODHS approval.
(ii) Providers approved before October 1, 2022 must complete the training by December 31, 2022 to remain approved.
(13) Child care centers or programs that are legally exempt from certification or registration with OCC, are located in a commercial or institutional facility, and receive payment from the Department on behalf of a family receiving a child care subsidy, must comply with the following minimum staff to children in care ratios:
(a) Six weeks through 23 months of age, the minimum number of staff to children is one to four. The maximum number of children in a group is eight.
(b) 24 months through 35 months of age, the minimum number of staff to children is one to five. The maximum number of children in a group is 10.
(c) 36 months of age to attending kindergarten, minimum number of staff to children is one to 10. The maximum number of children in a group is 20.
(d) Attending kindergarten and older, the minimum number of staff to children is one to 15. The maximum number of children in a group is 30.
(e) In a mixed-age group of children, the number of staff and group size shall be determined by the age of the youngest child in the group.
(14) Except as noted otherwise below, the requirements of this section are in effect starting September 30, 2018. As used in this section, "drinking water faucet or fixture" means any plumbing fixture on the premises used to obtain water for drinking, cooking, preparing infant formula or preparing food. This section only applies to a provider who is legally exempt and not a legally exempt relative. This section applies to legally exempt providers approved to receive Department subsidy payments prior to September 30, 2018. This section applies to legally exempt providers who submit a completed Child Care Provider Listing form for Department-approval starting September 30, 2018. This section does not apply to care provided in the child's home when the legally exempt provider lives somewhere else.
(a) In locations where care is provided, lead testing is required for each drinking water faucet or fixture.
(b) Providers must test each drinking water faucet or fixture at least once every six years from the date of the last test. Providers who have had a drinking water faucets or fixture tested within six years prior to the effective date of this rule will need to submit the results to OCC.
(c) If a home or facility does not use any of the on-site plumbing fixtures to obtain water for drinking, cooking, preparing infant formula, or preparing food, the provider must:
(A) Submit a written statement to the Department or OCC identifying the alternative source of water and confirming that the provider does not use any on-site plumbing fixtures for drinking, cooking, preparing infant formula, or preparing food; and
(B) Notify the Department or OCC in writing if the alternative source of water changes.
(d) All sample collection and testing must be in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities, Revised Manual from October 2018, adopted by this reference.
(A) If test results show water from any drinking water faucet or fixture has 15 parts per billion (ppb) or more of lead, the provider must:
(i) Prevent access to that drinking water faucet or fixture immediately after receiving the test results; and
(ii) Continue to prevent access to that drinking water faucet or fixture until mitigation is completed in accordance with paragraph (B) of this subsection.
(B) Following receipt of test results showing that water from any drinking water faucet or fixture has 15 parts per billion (ppb) or more of lead, the provider must comply with all of the following sub-paragraphs:
(i) Submit a corrective action plan to the Department or OCC for approval within 60 days of receiving the test results. The corrective action plan must identify an appropriate mitigation strategy in accordance with Module 6 of the EPA's 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities, Revised Manual from October 2018, adopted by this reference.
(ii) Implement the mitigation method within 30 days of approval by OCC.
(C) A provider who fails to submit a corrective action or a mitigation method is no longer eligible to receive child care subsidy payments.
(e) The provider must keep a copy of the most recent test results on-site at all times.
(f) Providers must follow the routine practices identified in Module 6 of the EPA's 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities, Revised Manual from October 2018.
(15) A child care provider approved to receive payment may become retroactively ineligible for payment starting on the date the provider violates a requirement under this rule, regardless of the date of the finding.
Notes
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 181.537, 329A.500, 409.050, 411.060 & 411.070
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 181.537, 329A.340, 329A.500, 409.010, 409.050, 409.610, 411.060, 411.070, 411.122 & HB 3073 Oregon 2021 Reg. Sess.