Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-37-.06
Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024
Section 660-5-37-.06 - Standards Applicable To Specific Facility Types(1) Group Home Care. The general requirements pertaining to the care of the children prescribed under other sections of these standards shall be followed in all applicable respects. In addition, there shall be compliance with the following special regulations pertaining to group home care: (a) In group homes that are an affiliate and an integral part of a parent child care institution or agency as well as those that are unrelated to a parent child care institution or agency, the person employed as executive or supervisor of the facility shall have at least the following qualifications,:(i) A baccalaureate degree in the field of social work, psychology, administration, or a related field, from a college or university accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations of the United States;(ii) Two years of prior experience in working with children and youth and/or on-the-job training in another child care facility.(d) Bedrooms in facilities constructed or acquired prior to January 1, 1975 shall not accommodate more than four children each. Facilities constructed, purchased, structurally remodeled or acquired after January 1, 1975, shall have bedrooms which accommodate no more than three children each, but two children per bedroom is recommended. Each child shall have their own bed.(2) Maternity Centers. Maternity homes providing a program for maternity care with referral for hospital and medical services obtained from the community shall be approved by the Department of Human Resources upon meeting the standards set herein. (a) The general requirements which pertain to the care of children prescribed under other sections of this document shall be followed in all applicable respects and, in addition, there shall be compliance with the following special regulations pertaining to the care of minor pregnant girls.(b) Each girl shall receive social services on a weekly basis. Social services shall be available also in case of emergency. Services shall be extended to the putative father and to the parents of the girl, when indicated. Each girl, individually and/or in a group, shall be encouraged and given the opportunity to focus and participate in the following:1. Resolving her conflicts, confronting the reality of her situation, and handling the immediate problem of unmarried parenthood.2. Counseling regarding the decision-making for the unborn child.3. Preparation for return to community life Participation in an educational program specific to her own needs; i.e. High School, G.E.D., Vocational Training, Junior College, etc.
(c) The decision for the final plan for the baby shall be made by the baby's mother. A minor pregnant girl shall not be required to sign a statement committing herself to any definite plan for her child as a condition of admission to the center. Girls who wish to place their children for adoption or in foster family homes shall be referred to the Department or to a licensed child placing agency. The social worker service staff shall seek legal counsel with respect to problems relating to the legal rights of the minor pregnant girl and her obligations to her child, including relinquishments, termination of parental rights, legitimization, birth certificate, and other legal matters pertaining thereto; including all legal rights of the natural father. Any minor who is fourteen years of age or older, or has graduated from high school, or is married, or having been married is divorced, and is pregnant, may give effective consent to any legally authorized medical, dental, health or mental health services for herself and the consent of no other person shall be necessary. Any minor who is married, or having been married is divorced, or has borne a child may give effective consent to any legally authorized medical, dental, health or mental health services for himself or his child or for herself or her child.(d) At the time of admission there shall be a medical and obstetric history. Immediately following admission, a complete assessment must be obtained from a licensed medical doctor along with all test results as prescribed by the doctor which may include blood pressure determination, weight, urine analysis, laboratory test for syphilis and gonorrhea, determination of hemoglobin, red and white blood cell count, and any other special studies which may be indicated. 1. A dental examination shall be made and necessary treatment provided by a licensed practicing dentist.2. Periodic examinations and laboratory tests shall be performed according to the schedule of the ob/gyn physician. Each girl shall be referred for and receive follow-up postnatal care as prescribed by the ob/gyn physician. A postnatal examination shall be made by the licensed practicing ob/gyn physician before discharge from the maternity center.3. The center shall have written agreements with clinics and hospitals utilized for obstetrical and related services.4. Authorization for hospitalization may be signed by a parent, guardian, or an agency holding temporary or permanent custody, or as otherwise provided by law.(e) Bedrooms shall be comfortable and attractive, assuring the maximum amount of privacy for each girl. There shall be a single bed with good mattress and springs and appropriate linens and covers for each girl. No more than two girls shall share one bedroom. It is preferable for each girl to have a room alone. 1. Cribs for infants shall have slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. There shall be a crib for each infant. The crib mattress shall fit snugly against the slats. Pillows, soft toys, blankets, and loose sheets should not be in the crib with an infant. A crib that is known to be painted with paint containing lead shall not be used.(f) There shall be at least one toilet, one shower, and one lavatory for each four girls. Each toilet and shower or tub or tub-shower combination shall be located in a separate compartment. Where showers generally are used, one tub shall be available. Separate toilets and lavatories shall be available for staff and visitors.(3) Shelter Care Facilities. The general requirements pertaining to the care of children prescribed under other sections of these standards shall be followed in all applicable respects. In the following area, exception to prescribed standards may be permitted. (a) A child of any age shall be permitted admission to shelter care as permitted by the facility license. The local Department of Human Resources shall be contacted about all children admitted to shelter care (unless the child is admitted by the Department of Human Resources) so that files can be cleared to determine whether the child is known to the Department or is in need of services. The contact shall occur either immediately during office hours, or at 8:00 a.m. the next morning, weekends and holidays included. It shall be permissible for those shelter care facilities that have social services, or other social service agencies serving families and children, to provide social services to runaways. Placement in a shelter is meant to be short term. Children admitted through agencies other than DHR shall have an assessment conducted at admission to give guidance regarding the possible length of stay and to identify the short-term plans while the child is in shelter. The shelter stay shall not exceed 30 days without the mutual agreement of the agency or person with planning responsibility and the parents, legal custodian, or agency having custody as documented in the child's Care/Treatment Plan and/or ISP. The child's record shall include: Child's Record Sheet for Shelter Care Facility (DHR-BFC 809 or its equivalent) and a copy of legal authorization for placement.(b) When clothing is provided by the shelter facility it shall be clean and in good condition. To the maximum extent possible, the child shall be allowed a choice in his/her clothes, and the clothes must be fitted to the child.(c) Any child who needs immediate medical or dental treatment shall be referred to a licensed practicing physician or dentist for examination, and appropriate treatment shall be provided. Financial responsibility for the provision of medical care shall rest with the person or agency holding legal custody and such person/agency shall be notified of the need forprovision of medical services.(d) Where shelter care is offered as one part of the program of a child care facility, a separate cottage or wing of a living unit shall be used exclusively for shelter care. Living groups in the general program shall not be disrupted by receiving children for short-term care.(e) Where the facility offering shelter care provides an auxiliary program beyond the regular shelter care period, both services can be in the same living unit. There shall be separate bedrooms for use by each program. The age range of children served in both programs shall be the same. The executive shall request prior approval in writing from the Department when it is desired to provide two programs in the same living unit. A copy of the approval shall be on file in the facility and with the Department.(f) Bedrooms shall accommodate no more than four children each, unless the children in care are siblings, in which case, up to five children may be accommodated. Children shall have their own beds. (i) In rooms containing only cribs for infants there shall be a minimum of 2 feet of floor space between each crib. Cribs shall have slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. There shall be a crib for each infant. The crib mattress shall fit snugly against the slats. Pillows, soft toys, blankets, and loose sheets should not be in the crib with an infant. A crib that is known to be painted with paint containing lead shall not be used.(g) There shall be at least one toilet, one lavatory with hot and cold water, and one tub and/or shower for each 6 children. Where there is more than one of these in a particular area, each shall be in a separate compartment. Where showers generally are used, one tub shall be available for use if needed.(h) The shelter care facility shall have a ratio of no more than ten (10) children for a two child care staff, and no more than eight (8) children under direct supervision of one child care worker. Children of the staff shall be included in determining the staff/child ratio. Exception: During the hours of 10 PM to 7 AM, the ratio of child care workers to children shall not be less than one child care worker on duty for each 10 children. Staff ratios shall be maintained in accordance with the number of children actually in care rather than in accordance with the maximum capacity. However, at least one female child care worker shall be on duty at all times unless the shelter accepts males only. If the needs of the children to be served require shift coverage by child care staff, an exception to the staff/child ratio may be requested. The executive shall request prior approval in writing from the Department as to the length of shifts and the proposed staff/child ratio. A copy of the approval shall be on file in the facility and with the Department.(4) Adjunct Programs. The general requirements that pertain to the care of children prescribed under other sections of these standards shall be followed in all applicable respects. Requirements under 660-5-37-.05, Physical Facilities, shall not apply, except that statement from Fire and Health officials shall be on file in the facility and with the Department. The executive shall request prior approval in writing from the Department to operate an adjunct program. A copy of the letter of approval from the Department shall be on file in the facility and with the Department. A child in care who participates in an approved adjunct program shall retain his/her placement in the regular child care facility. Author: Linda S. Stephens
Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-37-.06
Repealed and New Rule: Filed November 15, 1999; effective December 20, 1999; operative March 1, 2000.Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 38-7-1 through -17, §§ 41-22-1 through -27, §§ 22-8-4,5.