ARM 37.106.3208. ADMISSIONS

(1) The facility will admit only those residents who meet its admissions policies. (2) The facility must have written policies and procedures for screening all referrals. (3) The facility must have a written admissions policy and procedures which include: (a) the age, sex, and behavioral and/or emotional needs of adolescents served; (b) verification of legal authority to place or remove a resident from the facility; (c) a description of the intake process for the residents; (d) a description of the orientation provided to residents; and (e) an initial assessment of the resident’s emotional, medical, developmental, social, and behavioral status that must be conducted at the time of admission. (4) The admission person or committee must review all preplacement referral information to determine the appropriateness of placement, including age and developmental needs of adolescents accepted into the facility. (5) The facility’s policies and procedures must provide for and encourage a preplacement process with the resident and family. (6) Placements may only be accepted from the parent or legal guardian of the resident. (7) The admissions policy may not limit contact with the resident’s family for no more than seven days after admission. (8) A facility must have written orientation policies and procedures for admission to the facility that include: (a) a procedure for ensuring that each resident receives a personal orientation to the facility as soon as appropriate, but no later than 24 hours after admission; (b) an inventory of each resident’s belongings; (c) behavioral expectations; (d) information on privilege systems; (e) a discipline policy; (f) health and safety procedures; (g) facility rules; (h) information on the facility’s search policies, resident rights, and grievance procedure; and (i) emergency evacuation procedures, including designated escape routes. (9) Documentation that is signed by both the resident and the staff person(s) conducting the orientation must be placed in the resident’s file. (10) A facility must maintain a list of current residents to ensure all residents are accounted for and that staffing requirements are met in all circumstances. (11) A facility must ensure compliance of each resident’s placement with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), as provided in 41-4-101, MCA, and ARM 37.50.901.