Morale, Welfare and Recreation

USAG Daegu Child, Youth & School Services (CYS) Youth Center Parent Handbook

1 “Our Mission is Caring” USAG Daegu Mission:

To provide the Army with the installation capabilities and services to support expeditionary operations in a time of persistent conflict, and to provide a quality of life for Soldiers and their Families commensurate with their service. On order, support non-combatant evacuation operations and provide command and control of Army fixed bases under crisis conditions.

USAG Daegu Family & Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Mission:

To contribute to and improve the quality of life for the military personnel, their Families, and other authorized users of FMWR facilities by providing self-expression, skill development, social, and physical fitness activities.

USAG Daegu Child, Youth & School Services Mission:

To support readiness and well-being of Families by reducing the conflict between mission requirements and parental responsibility.

USAG Daegu Vision: Be the Community of Choice

USAG Daegu Family & Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Vision:

2 A motivated team of well-trained professionals with a common mission and shared values; operating in an environment of innovation and continuous improvement; using technology and proven business practices to make the best use of available resources; and consistently providing customer-valued FMWR programs, services, facilities, and a first-class quality of life for the total workforce.

USAG Daegu Child, Youth & School Services Vision:

We believe that each child and youth is unique and therefore respect their differences; encouraging others to do the same. We promote positive youth and staff interaction. We recognize individual and group achievements of all our members, volunteers, and staff. We provide 4-H and Boys and Girls Club of America programs within the following areas: Life Skills and Leadership; Academic Support, Mentoring, and Intervention; Arts, Recreation, and Leisure Activities; Sports, Fitness, and Health. We encourage staff, volunteers, and youth leaders to be role models for positive behavior at all times. CYS Services staff team closely with youth to plan, implement, and evaluate the programs. We collaborate with parents, community members, and on and off-post organizations to enhance our program services. Our services are seamless, flexible, customer-friendly, certified and/or accredited, and delivered by caring, trained professionals.

REPORT ALL SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE – How to report it…

Duty Hours/After Duty Hours: DSN: 764-4141 (CW) Off Post: 053-470-4141

Family Advocacy Program: 768-8129 (CH)

3 Safety Office: 768-7233/8650 (CH)

Dear Parents: Welcome to Daegu, the USAR Garrison Walker Community and to Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS)! We hope that this handbook will answer most of your questions, but please call on us at any time should you need additional information. We believe that open, continuous parent – staff communication is vitally linked to the success of our programs, so you are encouraged to share your comments and ideas. We ask that you make every effort to stay involved with your child’s program. If you have any questions please contact your facility director. Your child is entrusted in our care during his/her formative years when basic skills and feelings about self and the surrounding world are developed. Our primary goal is to provide a safe, nurturing environment that fosters positive self-esteem through purposeful play and exploration and a feeling of success. Our common bond is your child, and we look forward to this special partnership. Please keep our staff informed about family issues or concerns. Knowing when you or your spouse will be TDY, deployed or when there has been an upsetting event in your family such as death or illness can help us to be supportive to your child through challenging times. We may also be able to connect you with additional supports and resources. We encourage you to visit our programs at any time for as long as you like. Children especially appreciate you staying for breakfast or dropping in for a snack or lunch. We enjoy their smile when you share their proud events. We are always in need of program volunteers. Please consider sharing a special skill or some time in our programs. Please talk to the program staff and ask how you can get more involved. Another very important avenue for involvement is the quarterly Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting. The PAC is our forum to get your ideas and input, and to update parents on program changes/upcoming events. This is also where we plan our calendar for holiday celebrations. We would like every parent to attend PAC

4 meetings. The PAC meeting dates will be posted in each facility, listed on the Daegu CYSS web page and in the Outlook magazine. Thank you for coming to Child and Youth Services, we look forward to getting to know you and your child/youth! We hope you enjoy your time in Daegu and have a wonderful experience in Korea. It is a great place to live.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Brennan Chief, Child, Youth and School Services

…………Programs………

USAG Daegu CYS Services consists of a Child Development Center (CDC), a School Age Services (SAS) program, a Middle School and Teen (MS/T) program, a Sports and Fitness (S&F) program, and Child and Youth Liaison, Education, and Outreach Services (CLEOS) program.

Child Development Center (CDC): Bldg. 223 0530-1800 Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 0615-1800 Thurs Telephone: 764-4834

Programs Offered:

Full day Care: This program provides developmental appropriate care, which meets the needs of working parents requiring child care up to 12 hours per day Monday through Friday. Part-day Preschool: Three programs are offered. A three-day program on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and a two-day program on Tuesday and Thursday from 0830-1130. If space allows, a preschooler can attend both the two and three day part-day preschool programs. This program follows the local Daegu American School calendar.

5 Also available is a five day Strong Beginnings classroom for children that will start kindergarten in the fall. Strong Beginnings is focused on developing school readiness skills in a more structured environment. Hourly Care: Hourly care includes services for children of parents requiring short-term child-care on an intermittent basis. Hours of operation are 0800 to 1700. Parents can make reservations for hourly care no more than two weeks in advance. Reservations are made on a “first come, first serve” basis. Drop-in hourly care is offered by first calling the center for availability. Fees for hourly care are $3.50 an hour and must be paid at the end of the day. Parents are required to pay for hourly care reservations that were not cancelled as “no show”.

Family Child Care (FCC): Telephone: 768-7707 or 768-7200

Programs Offered: Family Child Care is an option for families that are looking for a home like environment, smaller group sizes or care for hours that are Center based programs are closed. Family Child Care providers receive extensive training which includes CPR, First Aid, Food Handlers, activity planning, guidance and discipline, and customer service. They complete training modules in all aspects of providing quality programs for children and families. Their homes are inspected by fire, safety and health proponents prior to opening. The Family Child Care Director completes unannounced inspections on a monthly basis. Family Child Care is a quality option for families.

Camp Walker School Age Center (SAC): Bldg. 257 1430-1800 Monday – Fridays for After school Care 0530-1800 Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri (School Out Days) 0615-1800 Thurs and Training Holidays (School Out Days) Telephone: 764-5298 or 764-5297

Programs Offered:

6 The Camp Walker School-Age Center (SAC) is an accredited program that offers exceptionally high quality programs for children in grades kindergarten to fifth grade. The program is affiliated with Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H. Full day Care: Care is provided on “school out days”. After School Care is available during the school year with transportation provided from the Daegu American School to the School Age program on Camp Walker. Before school care is available on a limited basis for school age children. The care is provided at Camp George CDC and the children are walked to school each morning. Summer Camps are offered. An 8 hour or 12 hour program option is offered during Summer Camp. Hourly Care: Hourly care is offered for short-term childcare on an intermittent basis. Reservations are made daily before 1400. The fee for hourly care is $2.50 an hour and must be paid at the end of the day. Parents must pay for reservations that were not cancelled as a “no show”.

Camp Walker Youth Center (YC): Bldg. 252 1430-1900 Monday – Thursday for After School 1100-1900 School Out Days 1430/1300-2200 Friday & Saturdays Telephone: 764-5721 or 764-5720

Programs Offered:

The Middle School (Grade 6 – 8) and Teen (Grade 9 – 12) programs are offered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, the family as the primary agent for the care and development of the young adult. The YS Center offers various planned activities that are intended to provide age appropriate, supervised activities for the family members of active duty military and DOD civilian sponsors who are in grades 6-12.

The program offers closely monitored activities and programs that are designed to meet the needs of every youth. Daily activities

7 are designed to foster and develop physical, cognitive, social, and emotional capabilities regardless of the age group. The program is staffed with professional management personnel, trained program assistants, administrative, and support personnel.

Youth Sports and Fitness (S&F): Bldg. 252 Telephone: 764-4859

Programs Offered:

The Youth Sports and Fitness program offers a variety of sports activities for youth ages 5-18. The program includes a variety of individual and team sports consisting of swimming, basketball, baseball/T-ball, and soccer. The Sports and Fitness program also offers various skill building clinics as well as camps during the summer break. The clinics and camps consist of basketball, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball. The Sports and Fitness program has helped implement “Start Smart” and “Healthy Habits” in the CDC, SAS, and MS/T programs. These programs focus on skill building as well as nutrition and are monitored by the S&F Director.

Child and Youth Liaison, Education, and Outreach Services (CLEOS): Bldg. 257 Telephone: 764-5467

Parent Central Service (PCS) Bldg. 257 0900-1800 Mon-Fri Telephone: 764-5298

Programs Offered:

The Parent Central Service (PCS), the Liaison Services for Daegu American School, the Outreach Services to include Homeschooling , and the SKIES (School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration, and Skills) all fall under the CLEOS program. Currently, the SKIES

8 program offers Tae Kwon Do, Kendo, Ballet, Gymnastics, Music Together, Drums, and Piano.

ALL CYS Services Programs and Facilities have an OPEN DOOR POLICY. Parents are welcome at any time.

Confidentiality of Child/Youth Records

A file will be established for each child/youth registered within CYS Services. The file will contain all information gathered at the time of registration, including health records, parent conference reports made by the staff, and incident/accident reports. A separate registration packet must be completed for each child/youth registered.

Any information in the child/youth’s folder or computer file will be categorized as “For Official Use Only”.

Information in a child/youth’s file will be signed and dated by the appropriate person. Parents will have access to the child/youth’s records upon request. Files will be kept in a central computer filing system at the child/youth’s program and/or Central Enrollment Registry (CER).

Daily Admission and Release Procedures

Admission

Children ages 11 and under: Children must be accompanied to and picked up from their activity room/program by a parent or parent designee.

Please ensure that the staff member in charge of the room is aware of your arrival so that your child may be warmly received and become involved in an activity. You will need to remain in the room at least until a brief health screening and necessary communication occurs. We hope that parents and staff will spend time together,

9 both at the arrival and the departure times, sharing information and insights with each other by way of informal conversation. In addition, parents can help their children make a happy transition from home to the center each morning by spending a few minutes with them in the child activity room before leaving.

Hourly Programs: Hourly care parents must ensure that their children are signed-in at the reception desk before going to the room. Please be prepared to spend a few moments to provide correct information and details pertaining to the care of your child. You must also sign out before leaving and make sure that payment is received at the front desk every time hourly care is utilized.

Health Policies

For admission to our programs, children must be free from any contagious illness and healthy enough to participate in normal center routines and activities both indoors and outdoors. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) related to health care is available in the center for each family to review. They have been approved by the medical staff at 121st General Hospital and are adhered to by all staff members. Any child who demonstrates symptoms of contagious disease as indicated in the SOP will not be admitted without a physician’s statement verifying that the child may receive care. Similarly, any child receiving care who develops symptoms of contagious disease will be dismissed.

Please notify the center if your child has allergies to any food or drug or if your child has a communicable disease. A physician’s statement is required to verify food allergies and to indicate acceptable food substitutions. Similarly, you will be notified if we become aware that your child has been exposed to a communicable disease at the center.

In keeping with health requirements and in fairness to all enrolled children and their peers, parents are asked to keep their child at home on any day when their child:

10 -does not feel well enough to participate in daily activities -is in any type of pain (e.g. earache) -has a temperature in conjunction with other symptoms of illness; such as cough, fatigue, etc..(a temperature in excess of 100.5F axillary (under the arm) for children under 3 months, and 101F axilary for children over 3 months of age). -has digestive upset (nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea) -has obvious illness or rash -is overtired or emotionally upset

Discretion will be shown when an enrolled child develops symptoms of an illness. Parents will be required to pick up an ill child who develops a fever, shows an unusual rash, conjunctivitis, or symptoms of another contagious disease. Parents are expected to come for their sick child within an hour of notification. If unreasonable delays are experienced in parental response time (one hour) to a child’s illness (which may be considered medical neglect), commanders will be contacted and medical authorities informed.

Children will be readmitted after an illness only when their presence will not endanger their own health or health of other children. A child may return to a program when the child meets the conditions detailed in the applicable SOP and feels well enough to participate in usual daily activities. Children sent home because of illness (other than a common cold or injury not requiring medical care) might be required to have a medical statement in order to return if a reasonable recuperation period has not elapsed. Please see the SOP related to health care for additional information.

Children who develop conditions that require immediate medical attention will be transported via ambulance or military transportation to the Camp Walker Clinic for care. The parents of a child requiring emergency medical care will be notified of the situation and will be requested to go to the hospital immediately. During such an event, it is essential that we have accurate phone numbers where you can be reached. If we cannot contact you or your designee and if the physician determines that your child does not need to be admitted to the hospital, the child will return to the center. A staff member will stay with the child during the illness and the added labor expense of

11 having one staff member with one child, as well as any expense incurred in the transportation, will be charged to the parents.

Our staff members are authorized to administer oral medication only to children enrolled in full day. Medication will be administered only when prescribed by a physician and only with written parental permission. Medication must be in the original container with the prescription label intact. Children must be on oral medication at least 24 hours before CYS Services personnel can administer a dosage. Refer to our SOP for additional details.

Center-Based programs Ratios

Ratio Age Appropriate Staff : Child

Infant 6 wks – 12 months 1:4

Pre-Tod 12-24 months 1:5

Toddler 24-36 months 1:7

Preschool 3-4 yrs 1:10

Pre – K 4-5 yrs 1:10

Kindergarten 5-6 yrs 1:12

SAS Grades 1-5 1:15

MS Grades 6-8 1:15

12 Teen Grades 9-12 1:15

Diapers

Guidance, Discipline, and Touch Policy

Our goal is to provide quality care for children and youth that promotes physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth. We believe most problems are prevented with a creative, active curriculum in a positive, caring environment. We believe most children come to us wanting to learn and get along with new friends. We strive to give children attention and praise when they behave correctly and to correct in a way that preserves a child’s dignity and self-esteem when there is misbehavior. Physical or verbal punishment does not contribute to these goals and is not used in our program. Army regulations strictly prohibit all forms of corporal punishment. CYS Services personnel will use only constructive, positive, discipline techniques. Constructive discipline recognizes that children want to do what is correct and the misbehavior is often a symptom of a problem or need for attention. Care giving of young children focuses on guiding and supporting children while using their problem-solving techniques. Helping children to decide what to do, rather than what not to do, is the basis for child guidance. Our role is to meet children’s individual needs and thereby assist them in becoming confident, secure individuals with good problem-solving and thinking abilities.

1. Positive discipline will be used by CYS Services personnel based on an understanding of individual needs and behaviors of children at varying developmental levels. Simple, understandable rules will be established so that every child will know what is expected of him/her.

2. Discipline will be constructive in nature including such methods as diversion, separation of child from situation, praise of appropriate behavior; or gentle, physical restraint such as holding.

13 Examples of appropriate touching for older children and youth include high-fives, pats on the back, reassuring touches on the shoulder, and assisting youth in instructional and sports programs that are consistent with the activity being taught. Youth may be touched to ensure their safety and well-being. Hugs or displays of affection should be initiated by the child/youth and should be brief. Lap sitting for children over the age of six is not permitted and is inappropriate.

A youth who is misbehaving in an unsafe or harmful manner that endangers other youth, or the staff will be told that this behavior is unsafe, unacceptable, and must stop. If the behavior continues, staff will continue to supervise the youth and call for any necessary assistance while management staff notifies the parent. Parents will be informed that the youth is behaving in an unsafe Manner. A youth behavior, when malicious or inflicted with the intent to harm another person, will not be tolerated. Serious instances of patterns of unsafe behavior demonstrated by any youth may result in suspension or revocation of CYS Services. If a youth does not respond to appropriate discipline procedures, the following may occur:

a. A one (1) day suspension from the program, beginning the next day. b. If the problem continues after the youth returns to the program, the youth will be suspended for three (3) days.

c. If the child continues to display inappropriate behavior, a suspension of one (1) week from the program will occur

d. If, after re-admission to the program, the youth continues to display behavioral problems, permanent dismissal from the program can occur.

Parents may also be notified of inappropriate behavior on an Incident report.

Teenagers do vary slightly from the above descriptions, but the feelings and behaviors are, in general, considered normal for each stage of adolescence.

14 Touch Policy

All CYSS employees are responsible for modeling appropriate touching. This SOP is available for parents to read at anytime. At this point, the parent or guardian will not be held responsible for any future payments and a refund may be warranted. The CLEO Director will assist in locating child care in an alternative setting, when possible. Parents may also be notified of inappropriate behavior on an Incident report

Fire Drills

Fire drills involving children are conducted monthly and during varying hours of operation including meal times, nap times, and during early morning hours to ensure experience under “worst case” conditions. During a fire drill, your children may be taken outside without their coats, since in an actual emergency we will not waste time and jeopardize children to gather belongings. For this same reason, children are asked to keep their shoes on during nap/rest time.

Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP)

Children will be referred to the SNAP upon enrollment in CYS Services programs or will be referred by a parent or child care provider if already enrolled. Other cases that warrant referral include documented medical diagnosis of child and display of extreme inappropriate behavior.

The SNAP team will explore child care and youth activities options for children with special needs in installation CYS Services programs. This procedure will determine child care options and activities considering feasibility of program accommodation and availability of technical support and the SNAP team will recommend placement that accommodates to the fullest extent possible the child or youth’s

15 individual needs, parent mission requirement, and parent preference for care and activity setting.

Lost Articles The centers are not responsible for lost or misplaced items. However, if the items are labeled, it makes it easier for parents and staff to recognize ownership.

Parent Participation

Parents are encouraged to become involved in the program. When parents become involved in their child/youth’s program it enhances the quality of the program, is extremely rewarding to both child/youth and parent, and allows the parent to better understand their child/youth’s day and our program.

There are many ways that parents can become involved. Each quarter, the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meets to discuss issues concerning the Daegu Child and Youth programs and make suggestions for change and improvement. At least quarterly PAC will sponsor or include training opportunities focused on child abuse prevention and strengthening Daegu families. These topics might include- parenting, keeping children safe on the internet, or toilet training. If there is a topic or training that you would like to see as part of our parent training opportunities please contact our trainer and we will make every effort to support your needs as parents. The CYS Services Management staff is represented at these meetings as well as interested members of the community and command. A discount for full time care will also be given to participants. Parents are encouraged to join their child for lunch and whenever their schedule permits and to participate in the daily activities at any time. We often call on parents to help out during field trips and special events and encourage parents to share special skills and talents with their child’s classroom or program.

Holidays

Child and Youth School Services celebrates all federal holidays and two Korean holidays- Chu Sok (Thanksgiving) and Sul Nal (New

16 Years). Our celebrations and acknowledgements of the holiday reflect the interests of the children and families within our program. Our celebrations may range from discussion and reading a book, to a special event for the 4th of July. We try to be respectful to each family’s culture and the special holidays each family celebrates. We always welcome families who are willing to share a piece of their culture and traditions. Please speak with program staff if you would like to volunteer.