N.H. Admin. Code § He-C 6350.18

Current through Register No. 50, December 12, 2024

Section He-C 6350.18 - Shelter Care Program Requirements

(a) In order for a residential treatment program to be certified as a shelter care program, it shall comply with the following:

(1) He-C 4001, NH Residential Child Care Licensing Rules, except as described in (2) a. and b. below regarding staff to child ratios;

(2) The program shall provide staff-secure short-term care for 60 days or less to children in crisis who are awaiting further placement, evaluation, completion of a service plan, or court action, as follows:

a. Staffing during awake hours shall be at a ratio of one staff to 5 children and shall include:

1.One clinical coordinator, and

2.One family worker;

b. Two awake overnight staff shall be available at the shelter care program. Should the census drop below 4 children, 2 overnight staff shall be maintained, of which one overnight staff shall remain awake in the building;

c. The program shall secure the services of a registered nurse for a minimum of 2 hours daily;

d. The program shall provide placement for children under RSA 169-B and RSA 169-D;

e. The shelter care program shall provide services that assist the child to prevent the need for further placement until such time as there is a subsequent court order; and

f. The program shall serve children between the ages of 11 and 18 years, who shall not be suffering from acute mental disorders or substance abuse withdrawal;

(3) The program shall maintain a multi-disciplinary, self-contained means of service delivery in a highly monitored setting to meet the needs identified within the treatment plan, as follows:

a. The shelter care program shall respond with appropriate interventions to stabilize the behaviors of children in placement;

b. Clinical services shall be provided through the shelter care program's on-site program unless a special circumstance is identified through the treatment plan to support utilizing a community provider;

c. The clinical services available at the shelter care program shall include:

1.Group and individual counseling that is driven by each child's treatment plan;

2.Substance abuse counseling to be provided for each child, as appropriate; and

3.The ability to complete alcohol and drug abuse evaluations, or diagnostic evaluations per He-C 6344 within the course of placement; and

d. The program shall establish a number of recreation and leisure activities on site in order to monitor and supervise the children effectively. Activities in the community shall be conducted when it is determined that the children can be provided with high levels of structure, supervision, and support;

(4) The program shall respond immediately to the needs of DCYF's referring staff and ensure that critical information pertaining to each child is obtained as quickly as possible;

(5) The program shall not be designed or expected to serve the following populations, and may request removal of a child within 48 hours during business hours and 72 hours during non-business hours if the child presents with one of the following conditions after the admission:

a. Actively suicidal referrals such that the child's capacity to participate in the shelter care program is impaired and that his or her safety within the program may be compromised. This determination shall be made by a qualified mental health professional, or a staff member of a mental health facility;

b. Intoxicated or under the influence of illegal or non-prescription drugs, or suffering from overuse of a prescribed drug such that a potential medical emergency exists;

c. Psychotic or suffering from emotional disorders or chronic mental illness such that the child's capacity to participate in the shelter care program is impaired;

d. Physically assaultive to a degree which would endanger the safety of shelter care program children or staff; or

e. Previously convicted or currently charged with the crime of arson pursuant to RSA 634:1, or has a history of fire setting such that the safety of the shelter care program, children, and staff may be immediately endangered;

(6) Maintain an educational program which shall be eligible for Title I part D funding and maintain approval as a non-public school per Ed 400 and a private provider of special education per Ed 1100 from the NH state board of education, to include:

a. A primary focus of working in collaboration with the child's home school to assure continuity of education;

b. Educational programming to children who are not determined eligible for special educational services and shall be provided on site in a program approved by the NH state board of education in accordance with Ed 400;

c. Acceptance of children based on the identified approval as a private provider of special education by the NH state board of education; and

d. A traditional school year of 10 months with a 2-month summer program. The need of any child whose individual education plan calls for a summer program shall be met;

(7) The program shall provide transportation to and from:

a. Local medical, dental, or behavioral health related appointments;

b. Home visits, in accordance with He-C 6350.25(a) ;

c. Court appearances; and

d. Recreation and school trips required as part of the shelter care program; and

(8) The residential treatment program shall not be required to provide transportation to and from other programs.

(b) Intake information on each child shall be obtained upon admission, to include:

(1) Copies of court orders relating to the approval of and payment for the placement;

(2) Copies of authorizations for emergency medical or court-ordered services;

(3) DCYF's case plan, if available; and

(4) A photograph of the child before or upon arrival at the shelter care program.

(c) The shelter care program shall document each child's medical information, to include:

(1) A medical authorization completed within 5 calendar days of admission;

(2) A health assessment completed by a registered nurse within 24 hours of admission; and

(3) A physical examination completed by a physician, physician assistant, or advance practice registered nurse within 3 weeks of admission, if there are known medical needs identified through the health assessment in (2) above, warranting further examination.

(d) The shelter care program shall document each child's educational information, to include:

(1) An educational assessment completed in accordance with the provisions of Ed 1107, by a teacher within 5 calendar days of admission;

(2) An educational status and history; and

(3) A written weekly progress report completed by the teacher.

(e) The shelter care program shall maintain weekly contact with DCYF staff to discuss the progress of children on a weekly basis, and document and share with DCYF each child's behavioral information, as identified in He-C 6350.14(c) through (f) .

N.H. Admin. Code § He-C 6350.18

#6617, eff 10-25-97; ss by #8453, INTERIM, eff 10-25-05, EXPIRED: 4-23-06

New. #8693, eff 7-27-06

Amended byVolume XXXV Number 06, Filed February 12, 2015, Proposed by #10759, Effective 1/17/2015, Expires1/17/2025.