FY14 RBWO Minimum Standards Revisions

2.17 f. A seclusion room monitoring log shall be maintained and used to record the following information: child’s name, date of seclusion, reason for seclusion, time placed in seclusion, name and signature of staff that conducted visual monitoring, signed observation notes, and time of child’s removal from seclusion.

2.20 Within 24 hours of an incident of restraint or seclusion or other serious behavior management issue, a staff debriefing must occur and a debriefing with the child must also occur. The debriefing, which provides an opportunity for staff and children to discuss their feelings and perceptions about the issue and establish a plan for the future must be documented and filed in the child’s record. Any changes in the behavioral management plan must be documented in the service plan immediately following the debriefing.

4.6 Providers must ensure that CCI admissions or foster home placement matches include the following: a. An assessment of the home environment to include; physical space, supervision practices, and all current household members (biological children, adoptive children, fictive kin, and adult relatives); b. A safe environment for children which includes emotional, psychological, physical and environmental safety; and takes into consideration their age and any specific needs of the child.

6.2 The ISP must include the provision of routine medical and dental services according to Medicaid’s Early Prevention and Screening Diagnostic Test (EPSDT) standards, including at a minimum, the components identified in the Georgia Health check program and any related health services required by the ORCC rules and regulations.

c. Ages 19 months through 30 months: All children between the ages of 18 months through 30 months shall receive no less than one periodic EPSDT/Georgia Health Check Program screening performed every six months. (This health check also provides for a 24 and 30 month visit. These visits include an autism screening at the 24 month visit and a developmental screening at the 30 month visit).

6.9 Providers must ensure that children are enrolled in a public school system or a GaDOE/LEA approved residential facility school within **twenty (24) hours of placement. Providers must ensure that children have no more than five (5) unexcused absences per school year.

6.10 Providers will ensure that appropriate educational services are provided and shall include the following: a. Documentation of the child’s academic progress; b. Documentation of each child’s attendance, courses and grades at the time of withdrawal from school; c. Immediate referral by the R.B.W.O. provider of the child to the appropriate educational agency, with the goal of placing each child in the educational program appropriate for his/her needs within **twenty (24) hours of admission to the R.B.W.O. provider;

11.28 CPA providers must ensure that all children in care are given all medication as prescribed.

I. Providers must have a medication management policy that includes managing medication refusal and securing of medication. II. The foster parent will maintain a medication log in the home for all medications taken by children in their care that includes (child’s name, foster parent name and signature, name of the medication, medication dosage, administration time and date, log start and end date as well as foster parent initials). Providers may use the DFCS Medication log or create an equivalent document to be used by foster parents. III. Provider will review and retrieve the original medication log from the foster parent monthly and file in the child’s record.

11.31 CPA providers must regularly assess children’s clothing needs. Funding for clothing is not included in the CPA per diem. The DFCS case manager should be notified--- when children do not have an adequate amount of clothing to last until the next wash cycle (wash cycle/days should be documented and posted in an area available for the child’s viewing). Adequate clothing can be defined as clean and available clothing for each day of the week, season-appropriate clothing suitable for the child’s age, gender, size and individual needs -- to determine if the child is eligible for a clothing allowance. CPAs should also consider creating community or other resources to address clothing issues.

11.33 CPA Providers must ensure that foster parents maintain a home environment that provides for the safety and well being of children placed in their care. Foster parents are required to comply with the following safety requirements for children in foster care placement. a. The foster home and surrounding property must be kept reasonably clean and uncluttered, properly maintained, and free of safety and health hazards, and uncontrolled rodents and insects. b. All hazardous substances including, but not limited to, flammable and poisonous substances, medications and industrial cleaning supplies are stored out of the reach of children. c. Ceilings, walls, and floors will be maintained and kept clean and free from graffiti, dirt, or stain buildup. d. Foster parents must have a plan for regular maintenance and upkeep of the living environment, furniture, and grounds. e. Each child placed must have a suitable bed, bedding, storage for personal items. Children must be able to personalize their bedrooms to the extent possible. f. Bath, showers and toilets must be of a number and standard to meet the needs of the children placed and must be free of mold, mildew and debris. g. Kitchen should be maintained with operable appliances and reasonable clean.

12. 14 Providers must have a documented and posted shopping schedule. The shopping schedule interval must be sufficient to ensuring that children are provided with adequate quantities of suitably prepared food and drink having regard to their needs and wishes and as appropriate children have the opportunity to shop for and prepare their own food. Daily menu’s should be documented and posted and the food supply should adequately reflect the daily menu.

12.17 Children placed in CCIs may be eligible for an initial (i.e.at entry into foster care) clothing allowance if the initial allowance has not already been expended. Providers should discuss eligibility for initial clothing allowance with the DFCS case manager. CCI providers must continually ensure that children have an adequate amount of clothing to last until the next wash cycle (wash cycle/days should be documented and posted in an area available for the child’s viewing). Adequate clothing can be defined as clean and available clothing for each day of the week, season-appropriate clothing suitable for the child’s age, gender, size and individual needs. Children should be involved in shopping and selecting their clothing whenever possible. Funding for clothing other than the initial allowance is included in the CCI per diem.

26.0 Youth in Single Occupancy Housing must be provided with a monthly food allowance. The food allowance amount must be based on documented assessment of the youth’s needs. Provider must assist youth with creating a shopping plan/schedule for the purchase of food. All youth are eligible to apply for food stamps.

** Note DFCS Policy change for FY14