Discipline of Children

Section 402 Section 402.21  Discipline of Children a)         Discipline shall be appropriate to the developmental age of the child, related to the child's act, and shall not be out of proportion to the particular inappropriate behavior.  Discipline shall be handled without prolonged delay. b)         The foster parent shall be responsible for the discipline of the child. Discipline shall never be delegated to a child's peer or peers, nor to persons who are strangers to the child. c)         No child shall be subjected to corporal punishment, verbal abuse, threats or derogatory remarks about him or her or his or her family. d)         No child shall be deprived of a meal or part of a meal as punishment. e)         No child shall be deprived of visits with family or other persons who have established a parenting bond with the child.  Cancellation of arranged visits as a form of discipline is prohibited. f)         No child shall be deprived of clothing or sleep as punishment. g)         A child may be restricted to an unlocked bedroom for a reasonable period of time.  While restricted, the child shall have full access to sanitary facilities. h)         A child may be temporarily restrained by a person physically holding the child if the child poses a danger to himself or to others. i)          The personal spending money of a child may be used as a constructive disciplinary measure to teach the child about responsibility and the consequences of his behavior.  However, no more than 50% of the child's monthly personal spending money shall be withheld for any reason. 1)         Withholding a child's monthly personal spending money shall occur only under the following circumstances: A)        for reasonable restitution for damages done by the child; or B)        for breaking the family's rules if the child has been given an oral warning that his spending money will be reduced for this infraction. 2)         When a child's spending money has been reduced because he has broken a rule, the foster parent shall keep the withheld money for the child and shall not use it for any reason.  The foster parent shall give the child opportunities to earn the money back and shall explain to the child how the spending money can be restored. j)          Special or additional chores may be assigned as a disciplinary measure. k)         Privileges may be temporarily removed as a disciplinary measure.