Ariz. Admin. Code § 6-5-7438

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R6-5-7438 - Admission and Intake; Criteria; Process; Restrictions

A. Admissions: A licensee shall have a written admissions policy, which shall:

1. Describe the licensee's admission criteria, including:

a. Population to be served, including age range, gender, physical development, social behavior, and custody and guardianship status;

b. Geographic area of service;

c. The needs, problems, and child-related issues best served at the licensee's facility; and

d. The method used to assign a child to a particular living unit;

2. Contain an acknowledgment that the licensee abides by the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and the Interstate Compact on Juveniles; and

3. Provide that the licensee shall not refuse admission to any child on the grounds of race, religion, or ethnic origin.

B. Age Limit; Continuing Care for Persons in High School: A licensee shall not admit a person who is age 18 or older, except a licensee may continue to care for an individual under age 22 who was a child in care and turned age 18 while in care, as long as the individual is currently enrolled in and regularly attending a high school program or vocational training program. A licensee shall not allow an individual to remain in care after the individual receives a high school degree or certificate of equivalency, or completes the vocational training program.

C. Admissions Outside of Criteria: A licensee shall not accept a child who is not within the licensee's admission criteria unless:

1. The placing agency or person specifically authorizes the admission after reviewing the agency's program description;

2. The admission is consistent with the terms of the agency's license and will not result in a violation of this Article; and

3. The child's individual service plan explains:

a. The reasons for acceptance, and

b. How the facility will meet the child's needs.

D. Intake Assessment:

1. A licensee shall not accept a child into care unless:

a. The child has a current intake assessment covering the child's social, health, educational, legal, family, behavioral, psychological, and developmental history; or

b. The licensee completes such an assessment within seven days following the child's admission.

2. In this subsection, "current" means within the six months prior to admission.

E. Admission and Intake Process and Requirements: The licensee shall have a written policy and procedures describing the process and requirements for both regular and emergency admissions and intake. The policy shall include the provisions listed in this subsection.

1. The licensee shall have a method to allow a child to participate in admission and intake decisions, including selection of a living unit, if developmentally appropriate and consistent with the licensee's program.

2. The licensee shall provide the placing agency or person with a reasonable opportunity to participate in admission and intake decisions.

3. Except for emergency admissions as prescribed in subsection (F), the licensee shall not admit a child unless the licensee has, at the time of or prior to admission:

a. A written agreement with the child's placing agency;

b. A court order; or

c. The written consent of the child's custodial parent or guardian.

4. The licensee shall obtain any available medical information about the child before or at the time of the child's admission. The information may include:

a. A report of a medical examination of the child performed within 45 days prior to admission;

b. A report of a dental examination of the child performed within six months prior to admission; and

c. The child's and family's medical history.

5. If the information described in subsection (D)(4) is not available, the licensee shall comply with the requirements of R6-5-7452 to obtain an examination.

6. At the time of or prior to admission, the licensee shall obtain written consent from the child's placing agency or person for the licensee to authorize routine medical and dental procedures for the child.

7. If a child is taking medication at the time of admission, the licensee shall:

a. If the medication is in its original container, labeled by the dispensing pharmacist with a fill date, prescribing physician, and instructions for administration, document the receipt of the medication as prescribed in subsection (E)(7)(c); or

b. If the medication is not in its original container, or if the container is not labeled as described in subsection (E)(7)(a), contact the prescribing physician to verify the medication administration schedule and reason for the medication; and

c. Document the contact in the child's medical record required by R6-5-7455 and the medication administration schedule as prescribed in R6-5-7453(B).

8. A licensee shall not refill a prescription that a child brings at admission without having a licensed medical practitioner determine the child's need for the medication and documenting the need as prescribed in subsection (E)(7)(c).

9. Within 24 hours of a child's admission, a direct care staff member who has the training prescribed in R6-5-7433(B)(4), or a licensed medical practitioner, shall assess the child's general health, by:

a. Looking at the child for signs of obvious physical injury and symptoms of disease or illness;

b. Assessing the child for evidence of apparent vision and hearing problems; and

c. Documenting any conditions or problems and referring the child for immediate or further assessment or treatment, if indicated.

F. Emergency Admissions: In an emergency situation requiring immediate placement, a licensee shall:

1. Gather as much information as possible about the child and the circumstances requiring placement;

2. Record this information in the child's record, within two days of admission, as an emergency admission notation; and

3. Keep an emergency admission record, which shall include at least the following information about the child:

a. Physical health,

b. Family history,

c. Educational background,

d. Legal status, and

e. A statement explaining the need for care.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R6-5-7438

Adopted effective July 1, 1997; filed with the Secretary of State's Office May 15, 1997 (Supp. 97-2).