Section 110-302-0471 - ONB benefit-risk assessments, risk management policies, and waivers(1) ONB programs must have and follow benefit-risk assessments and risk management plans approved by the department. These assessments and plans must be submitted to DCYF on a form provided by the department and be available for department review at the time of initial licensing. An amended assessment or plan cannot be implemented until the department has approved it. Benefit-risk assessments must include, but are not limited to, the following criteria:(a) Information about the site or sites that will be used by the ONB program on a regular basis.(b) Different seasons of the year such as summer versus winter plans, based on how conditions change within ONB sites and locations used by the ONB program on a regular basis.(c) Risky play activities including, but not limited to, the following: (i) Climbing natural features pursuant to WAC 110-302-0146;(ii) Water activities pursuant to WAC 110-302-0350;(iii) Using sharp tools pursuant to WAC 110-302-0352;(iv) Plant foraging pursuant to WAC 110-302-0346;(v) ONB program pets pursuant to WAC 110-302-0225;(vi) Egg collection and consumption pursuant to WAC 110-302-0196;(vii) Campfire activities pursuant to WAC 110-302-0351; and(viii) Activities near water, cliffs, steep slopes, or other potentially hazardous natural features.(d) Guidance for when increased staffing is necessary, and provide guidance for the development of the applicable risk management policies and procedures described in subsection (2) of this section.(2) ONB programs must have and follow risk management policies and procedures to address potential hazards and risks of the ONB programs. These must include, but are not limited to, policies or procedures related to the following: (a) Encountering non-ONB program pets and wildlife pursuant to WAC 110-302-0225 and 110-302-0353;(b) Interacting with strangers, limiting unsupervised access to any child in care, pursuant to WAC 110-302-0345;(c) The shared use of public space;(d) Weather requiring the use of an emergency shelter;(e) Required clothing and keeping children dressed for the weather pursuant to WAC 110-302-0147;(f) Using public facilities or buildings;(g) Encountering poisonous species; and(h) All other potentially hazardous situations and natural features.(3) Parents or guardians must sign an ONB program risk waiver that acknowledges and accepts the potential hazards and risks associated with ONB programs. The ONB programs' applicable risk management policies or procedures, as described in subsection (2) of this section, along with the parent waiver, must be included in the parent handbooks, pursuant to WAC 110-302-0450.(4) A copy of waivers signed by the child's parent or guardian must be kept in each child's records.(5) ONB staff must be trained on the applicable ONB program benefit-risk assessments, and risk management policies and risk procedures pursuant to WAC 110-302-0110.(6) Staff must consider the health and safety needs of children and staff daily, as well as any instances of heightened or dangerous behavior among children, when determining that more restrictive risk management practices are necessary to address an unforeseen increased risk.Wash. Admin. Code § 110-302-0471
Adopted by WSR 23-10-059, Filed 5/1/2023, effective 6/1/2023