R21-7-210. Staff Coverage; Staff-child Ratios

A. The licensee shall have a written plan consistent with the requirements of this Chapter to minimize the risk of harm, ensure normalcy, and provide for the well-being of a child in care. The written plan shall describe the staffing for each facility, for 24 hours per day, seven days per week and shall explain: 1. How direct care staff coverage is assured: a. When assigned direct care staff are absent due to illness, vacation, or other leave of absence; and b. During emergencies, unplanned staff shortages, and when circumstances require additional staff; 2. The methods the licensee uses to assure adequate communication and support among direct care staff to provide continuity of services to a child in care; and 3. Direct care staff requirements for monitoring and documenting safety checks while a child in care is sleeping. B. The licensee shall also have a written staffing schedule for each facility shift; the schedule shall document the direct care staff actually on duty during each shift. If there is a last minute or planned change to staffing, the licensee shall indicate on the staffing schedule. The licensee shall retain the schedule in one designated location at each facility for at least two years. C. The licensee shall maintain paid direct care staff in the facility subject to requirements in Table 2. The licensee shall assess the individual needs of the children in care and determine if additional paid direct care staff is necessary. D. For a multilevel facility the licensee shall have a minimum of one direct care staff for each living unit during sleeping hours, excluding single family homes. E. The licensee shall have direct care staff in each building at each facility on shift who are trained and authorized to apply: 1. How to promote normalcy consistent with the program and policy of the Agency, and 2. Appropriate techniques of behavior management consistent with the program and policy of the Agency. F. For the purpose of the direct care staff to child ratios in subsection (C): 1. Students and volunteers do not count as staff, 2. Staff providing one-on-one supervision for a designated child do not count as part of the overall direct staff-child ratio, and 3. Any child who lives at the facility is counted towards the ratio requirements. G. The licensee shall not fall below the minimum direct care staff-child ratios specified in this Section and in addition shall maintain: 1. Direct care staff sufficient to care for a child as prescribed in this Article and in the licensee’s own program description, statement of purpose, and policies; and 2. Practices or policies that take the following factors into account: a. The ages, capabilities, developmental levels, and service plans of a child in care; b. The time of day, and the size and type of the facility; c. The facility’s history and the frequency and severity of unusual incidents, including runaways, sexual acting-out behavior, disciplinary problems, and injuries; and d. Any other information relevant to the need of a child in care at the facility. H. The licensee shall have a sufficient number of qualified staff to perform the direct service, clerical, fiscal, food service, housekeeping, and maintenance functions prescribed in this Article and in the licensee’s own policies.