The organization shall develop procedures for the maintenance of a safe, hygienic, and sanitary environment and monitor adherence to procedures in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the children. Health and safety requirements for adoptive homes, foster care and therapeutic foster care can be found in the chapters pertaining specifically to those program types.
(a) Inspections. - (i) All programs shall request an annual fire and sanitation inspection, if required by the local jurisdiction and comply with all fire and sanitation requirements as applicable; and
- (ii) Any inspection conducted by other regulatory agencies shall be reviewed by the certifying authority at each site visit, including identification of any issues found and a review to determine if the issues were addressed adequately.
(b) Tobacco, Alcohol, Controlled Substances and the Abuse of Legal Substances. - (i) The organization shall prohibit the use of all forms of tobacco, alcohol and other controlled substances by children.
- (ii) All forms of tobacco, and alcohol shall be prohibited in all substitute care facilities and all motor vehicles while transporting children.
- (iii) The organization shall prohibit all use of alcohol and illegal drugs or the abuse of legal substances by any individual in any building, on the premises, or in any vehicle used by children and in the presence of children.
- (iv) The organization shall offer referrals to tobacco cessation programs for children and staff.
(c) Animals. - (i) Domestic animals which reside in the living unit shall be current on all vaccinations as recommended by a licensed veterinarian. Verification of such vaccinations shall be present on the premises. Additionally, all domestic animals shall be examined annually by a licensed veterinarian.
- (ii) When the organization has horses, cattle and any other livestock that are used with and by children, the following conditions apply:
- (A) The animals must be under the care of a licensed veterinarian and how the animals are used must be conveyed to the veterinarian;
- (B) The animals must be housed in appropriate enclosures; and
- (C) Children at the facility who are in contact with the animals must be educated in the safe and appropriate handling of the animals.
- (iii) Exotic animals or any animal who has a history of attacking even one (1) person or aggressive behavior that are kept as pets shall be inaccessible to the children in care;
- (iv) Some reptiles carry salmonella and for that reason can be a health risk. Contamination can occur by direct contact with them or their environment. If facilities house reptiles or amphibians they shall take the following precautions to prevent children from exposure to salmonella:
- (A) Reptiles and amphibians, and their living environment, must be made inaccessible to direct contact by children less than five (5) years of age and persons with immunocompromising conditions;
- (B) Pet reptiles must not be allowed to roam freely throughout the home or living area.
- (v) If an individual has had contact with the animal, animal feces, or any objects and surfaces that have been touched by the animal (especially holding areas and food and water bowls), he/she must wash his/her hands well with soap and running water; and
- (vi) Cages cannot be cleaned in food preparation areas (including the kitchen sink) unless these areas are subsequently and properly disinfected; and
- (vii) All birds capable of carrying psittacosis shall be certified as being psittacosis free, tested or treated by a licensed veterinarian to eliminate or prevent psittacosis or similar diseases.
(d) Pest Control. Insect and rodent control measures shall be implemented as needed.
(e) Indoor Space and Equipment. Indoor space and equipment shall include but not be limited to: - (i) Furniture. The organization shall ensure that buildings are furnished with clean, comfortable furniture in good repair and appropriate to the age, size and capabilities of children;
- (ii) Porches, decks, and stairs:
- (A) Shall have sturdy railings; and
- (B) Open staircases shall have a child-safe gate if there are young children in the facility/home;
- (iii) Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. The organization and foster home shall ensure the safe disposal of ashes from coal or wood burning fireplaces or stove. Safeguards must be taken to protect small children from accidental contact with fireplaces, space heaters and other hot surfaces;
- (iv) Elevators. Each elevator shall have a valid certificate of operation;
- (v) Unused electrical outlets shall have safety shields if there are young children placed in the facility or home; and
- (vi) Space heaters shall not be used unless approved by the certifying fire authority.
(f) Exterior Conditions. - (i) The overall condition of the buildings and grounds shall be maintained in a clean, uncluttered, sanitary and healthful manner;
- (ii) Property shall be in compliance with all city/county/state codes;
- (iii) Garbage and rubbish which is stored outside shall be stored securely in noncombustible, covered containers and shall be removed at least once every week or more frequently, if necessary;
- (iv) Guardrails shall:
- (A) Be located along open-sided walking surfaces, mezzanines, stairways, ramps and landings and along glazed sides of stairways, ramps and landings which are located more than thirty (30) inches above the floor or grade below; and
- (B) Form a protective barrier not less than forty-two (42) inches high.
- (v) Areas determined to be unsafe, including steep grades, cliffs, open pits, swimming pools, high-voltage boosters, or high-speed roads, shall be fenced off or have natural barriers or the organization must have a plan in place on how it will protect children;
- (vi) House numbers or addresses shall be plainly visible from the street;
- (vii) Home shall have at least two (2) exits; and
- (viii) Doors shall be operable from the inside without the use of a key or special effort, excluding secure facilities.
(g) Emergency Situations. - (i) All organizations shall develop, adopt, follow and maintain on file a written plan for action in case of emergencies (e.g., fire and bomb threats), natural disaster (e.g., earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and severe weather), and missing child(ren) and the plan shall include:
- (A) The procedure for reporting emergencies;
- (B) Procedures for relocation and evacuation of children;
- (C) Staff member duties during emergencies;
- (D) Floor plans identifying the locations of portable fire extinguishers, other manual fire-extinguishing equipment, manual fire alarm pull stations and fire alarm control panels;
- (E) Floor plans identifying the primary and secondary routes of evacuation for each room or portion of the occupancy;
- (F) Site maps identifying the designated exterior assembly area for each evacuation route;
- (G) Specific procedures to ensure prompt notification of parents and/or guardians; and
- (H) Emergency transportation, if required.
- (ii) There shall be evidence of an annual update and review of the plan;
- (iii) Evacuation and emergency plans shall be posted throughout the facility with directions to and the location of exits, fire extinguishers, first aid equipment and other emergency equipment or supplies.
- (iv) Copies of the emergency plan must be disseminated to appropriate local authorities.
- (v) Fire/Evacuation Drills:
- (A) The organization shall conduct monthly emergency evacuation drills with every shift conducting a drill not less than quarterly;
- (B) These shall occur under varied conditions and during hours when a majority of children are present in the facility;
- (C) Emergency drills shall be documented (including time and date of each drill held, the name of the person conducting such drill, and other information relative to the drill) and evaluated as to their effectiveness and a plan shall be developed if any issues arise due to the drill, including timelines to correct the issues and documentation of the resolution of the issues; and
- (D) When drills are conducted, all persons who are subject to the drill requirements shall participate in the drill.
- (vi) Smoke detectors. Underwriters Laboratory approved smoke detectors shall be installed on all floors of the facility including the basement, centrally located in the hall or area giving access to each sleeping area;
- (vii) Fire Extinguishers:
- (A) ABC portable fire extinguishers are available in the kitchen and other areas as recommended by the local fire department or fire official;
- (B) Fire extinguishers are inspected and serviced annually by an individual certified by the State of Wyoming. New and serviced fire extinguishers shall have service tags attached showing date of purchase or date of service;
- (viii) Carbon monoxide detectors. Every facility and foster home shall have a carbon monoxide detector following manufacturer's recommendations for placement;
- (ix) Monthly check. The organization must conduct a monthly physical check ensuring that smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are operational. The time, date and result of all inspections and any corrective actions will be documented in a monthly log and reviewed by DFS at the time of each site review;
- (x) Hallways and entry ways must be free of obstructions at all times;
- (xi) Fire exits must be accessible at all times; and
- (xii) Sprinkler System. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed as required by the local fire official.
(h) Storage of Chemicals, Cleaning Solvents, Flammable and Combustible Materials, Poisons, Toxins. - (i) All detergents, sanitizers and related cleaning compounds and other chemicals shall be stored in a safe location that is locked and inaccessible to children; and
- (ii) Combustible and flammable materials and liquids shall be stored according to fire code, locked and kept outside of main living areas, and shall not create a fire hazard.
(i) Communication System. - (i) The organization shall ensure that each building used by children or the foster home has at least one (1) working telephone that is directly available for immediate access or that it is connected to an operating central telephone system;
- (ii) The organization shall ensure that the facility's and foster home's telephone number is clearly posted and available to children, their parent(s), if appropriate, or legal guardian, and the general public if appropriate;
- (iii) The organization shall provide children with reasonable access to a pay or free telephone and shall not charge children for telephone calls to the DFS caseworker;
- (iv) The organization shall provide children with reasonable privacy for telephone use unless indicated differently on the child's ISPC or ITPC; and
- (v) Emergency telephone numbers must be posted by every telephone or the telephone must have direct access to an emergency switchboard.
(j) First Aid. The organization shall ensure that first aid kits are readily available and accessible in the facility or foster home.
(k) Weapons/Firearms. The organization shall develop, adopt, follow and maintain on file written policies and procedures governing the safe management of firearms and weapons. - (i) The organization shall prohibit the storage or use of any firearms or other weapons on the grounds of the facility or program or in any building used by children, except by law enforcement personnel in emergency and non-emergency situations;
- (ii) In foster homes, firearms and ammunition shall be stored and locked separately from each other in an area that is inaccessible to children; and
- (iii) No explosives of any type shall be allowed on the premises.
- (iv) A foster child on probation and/or an adjudicated delinquent shall abide by the court order or terms and conditions of probation concerning weapons and firearms.
(l) Bladed and Sharp Objects. The organization shall develop, adopt, follow and maintain on file written policies and procedures governing the safe management of bladed and sharp objects. Bladed and Sharp object include, but are not limited to: scissors, knives, razors and razor blades.
049-3 Wyo. Code R. § 3-18