Okla. Admin. Code § 612:20-3-3

Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024

Section 612:20-3-3 - Comprehensive programming for all basic needs

Each student's educational needs will be addressed in an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) developed in a manner consistent with 20 U.S.C., 1400 - 1485 and State Department of Education guidelines. More specific information regarding the IEP may be requested from the superintendent's office.

(1)Meeting physical needs.

(A)Food service. Food must be plentiful to meet the requirements of growing children. It must be sanitary, nutritious, attractively served in a pleasant atmosphere, and palatable. Menus should vary and reflect sensitive planning by food service staff. Employees in direct supervision of children at mealtime should encourage proper eating, both in terms of good manners and adequate diet, stressing the need to eat nutritious foods.

(i) Menu Planning. Menus are planned at least one week in advance. Menus are dated, posted, and kept on file for one year. Any substitutions are noted on the menu. Food services are directed by a nutritionist or licensed dietitian and/or facilities consult annually with a qualified nutritionist.

(ii) Frequency and quality of meals. All meals should meet the nutritional guidelines of the students.

(I) The facility provides or arranges for the provision of breakfast, lunch, and dinner and one or more snacks from food that is selected, stored, prepared, and served in a sanitary and palatable manner. Brunch and dinner may be provided on weekends and holidays only.

(II) Each meal contains a sufficient amount of food for every student and additional servings are available and permitted.

(III) Cool, potable drinking water is available for students at all times.

(iii) Special diets. Facilities recognize the religious, cultural, and health needs of students when planning, preparing, and serving food.

(I) The facility makes available, as necessary, an alternate choice of food for each meal served for students on special diets or residents who, because of religious beliefs, cannot eat particular foods.

(II) The facility follows individualized diets and feeding schedules that are prescribed by the student's physician.

(iv) Meals. Facilities recognize the social and emotional needs of residents during mealtime.

(I) Students and the staff who eat with them are served the same menu, except for tea and coffee, unless differences in age or special dietary needs are factors.

(II) Students who have not had opportunities to learn how to handle food with the usual table service are managed in such a way that they are not embarrassed or subject to the ridicule of other students.

(B)Student housing. Ample living quarters in a pleasant setting are considered essential to the growth of any child. Some degree of privacy, adequate bedding, suitable space for clothing and personal effects, recreation areas, clean and ample bath and toilet facilities, and a pleasant atmosphere are all basic to this provision. In planning residential quarters in the schools, consideration should be given to color schemes, housekeeping possibilities, whether the area lends itself to proper supervision, heating, cooling and lighting.

(C)Clothing. Provision for appropriate student clothing is a parental responsibility. If the child's parents are unable or unwilling to make such provision, other resources will be sought. Care should be taken to label clothing and personal items.

(D)Health and medical services. Emergency and routine health care of students is provided by a staff of licensed nurses, and a physician contracted by the Department. Minor medical and health needs will be addressed in the school clinic. Illnesses not amenable to recovery within a one to two day period will be referred to parents for care and follow-up. All medication administered will be prescribed by a physician. The cost of such prescriptions shall be borne by the parents. All medication is kept under lock and key in the school clinic. Dispensing of medication is supervised by nursing personnel. Parents will be notified immediately of any serious illness or injury, and the situation will be addressed in a manner mutually agreed upon.

(i) Medical plan. The facility has an operational medical plan to meet the medical needs of the students.

(ii) Physical examination. Each student is offered a physical examination annually, or at more frequent intervals as recommended by a health care professional.

(iii) Medical care. Each student receives proper medical and/or dental care. When a serious accident or illness occurs to a student, the facility takes the necessary emergency action and notifies the parents or custodian immediately.

(iv) Immunizations. Students are required to have immunizations against communicable diseases in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Department of Health and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

(v) Medication. The facility has current, written medication procedures

(I) When any medication is administered to a student, a precise record is kept with the student's name, the name of the medication, the dosage, date and time given, and the signature of the person who administered it. The reason for the medication is noted and any unusual reaction is documented. The student, the parents or custodian, and all staff members responsible for the student are informed of the side effects of the medication prescribed for the student.

(II) Prescription medications are administered by the designated staff member only as part of a prescribed therapeutic treatment as prescribed by a medical doctor.

(III) All medications are kept in a locked container and under the supervision of the designated staff member.

(vi) First aid supplies. The facility maintains first aid supplies.

(vii) Tobacco use. The facility prohibits the use of any tobacco on campus.

(2)Meeting emotional needs.

(A)Staff-child relationships. Positive relationships with adults are vital to the growth and development of any child. To permit such relationships to occur, the adult must be able to express an involved interest in the child, be willing to accept the risk of being rebuffed by the child, and be sensitive to the reason the child behaves as he does. Moreover, he must respect the child as an individual worthy of being heard, and recognize his strengths. He must be honest with the child and, above all, be willing to listen to him. His concern should be to meet the needs of the child, rather than his own, so his involvement will be of a professional nature.

(B)Counseling. While some children may require only the structure of the school and the relationships formed in the day-to-day environment, others may require special attention. Students with special problems will be referred to the school psychologist.

(C)Location of authority. To achieve fairness and consistency of controls in the school, authority and responsibility for proper limit setting must be established. Such authority rests finally with the superintendent. Minor day-to-day behavior problems may be handled routinely by the youth guidance specialist on duty when the incident occurs, but is subject to review by the administration. In no case should any individual staff member impose disciplinary action upon a child which is not within the scope of authorized policy.

(D)Appropriate methods of discipline and control. Control of children through consistent but reasonable limit setting is viewed as an integral part of the school program. One objective for emotional growth of children is self-control. This can develop only when children are availed of opportunities to make choices for themselves. Controls should be applied only when a child demonstrates an inability to control himself, and then only to the degree necessary to the situation.

(i) Good supervision of children will reduce the need for drastic measures. Verbal or visual controls, written reports, loss of privilege, and many other such methods can be used effectively, if the person relating to the child is sensitive to the needs of the child and the part controls play in his development.

(ii) Discipline when used with children shall be appropriate to the situation and designed to contribute to student well being. An example of an appropriate method of control might be withdrawal of privileges. Children also may be required to reimburse the school for damage of property through negligence or intent.

(iii) Reasonable restraint may be necessary to prevent a child from injuring himself or others.

(iv) No procedures will be implemented which could be construed as abuse or neglect according to the Department of Human Services' policy on abuse and/or neglect of clients in residential facilities. A copy of this policy is available from the superintendent's office.

(E)Abuse complaint referral. Alleged abuse of a student by a staff member, substantiated by investigation, may constitute cause for referral to the District Attorney. Refer to 612:20-3-19 through 612:20-3-27 for specific information.

(F)Disciplinary review. The superintendent of each school shall establish procedures for review of disciplinary measures when infractions are of a chronic or serious nature and may result in suspension. Such procedures will include appropriate opportunity for students to have their view heard and considered. Parents and students will be apprised of their right to appeal decisions made.

(3)Meeting social needs.

(A)Education. Opportunities will be provided in the school area for student involvement in class activities, clubs, organizations, and various extracurricular activities designed to foster personal responsibility and healthy interpersonal relationships.

(B)Religious services. Opportunity is provided for resident children at the School for the Blind and the School for the Deaf to attend worship services of their choice.

(C)Recreation. Recreation for children embodies a wide range of activities, from sedentary recreation to competitive sports. In programming for meeting the recreation needs of children, consideration is given to their interests, their abilities, their need for successful experiences, and their need to learn team play. Consideration also is given to the use of hobbies and cultural exposures as opportunities for social and personal growth. Off-campus activities are programmed within the limits of good judgement, and with an awareness of the child's interests.

(D)Children's correspondence. Correspondence provides a means of family and social contact for children. It can be a definite factor in meeting social needs; therefore, correspondence between children and their parents, relatives, and close friends is encouraged insofar as it appears to be in the best interest of the child. Incoming or outgoing mail is not to be inspected or censored.

(E)Visitation on campus. Visits by family and friends of students are encouraged. Visitors are expected to abide by all school rules.

(F)Dormitory living. Social needs of children can be met also in group living where an atmosphere of mutual respect is essential. Sharing of work, participation in dormitory activities, and identifying with the group can be vital in the growth and development of the child. Moreover, in his association with the Direct Care Specialist, the child is given an opportunity to come to terms with an authority figure and to form a positive relationship with an adult. Still another opportunity for growth is provided by participation in group decision making, as practiced in varied degrees by the dormitories in the schools.

(G)Student allowances. Disbursement of allowances to students may be done weekly subject to arrangements made by parents with the student finance office. The Department does not provide for routine allowances except for certain children in custody of the Department of Human Services who are attending OSB or OSD. For any financially needy children, monthly allowances can be arranged in accordance with the needs of the individual child.

Okla. Admin. Code § 612:20-3-3

Added at 10 Ok Reg 4643, eff 9-1-93 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2459, eff 7-1-94; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 1509, eff 7-1-95; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2215, eff 7-1-05