OAR 414-360-0750. Suspension and Expulsion Prevention

(1) A provider must develop and implement a suspension and expulsion prevention policy. The intent of the suspension and expulsion prevention policy is to ensure that young children are supported to remain in care. (2) The suspension and expulsion prevention policy must: (a) Be consistent with the provider’s Behavior and Guidance policy (OAR 414-360-0700); (b) Identify existing supports or tools that may be accessed; (c) If there are additional caregivers, identify when and how caregivers must seek support when challenges related to the care of children arise, including: (A) When and in what circumstances caregivers must seek support; (B) How the provider will respond to requests for support from other caregivers, and (C) What program level supports may be made available to the caregivers. (d) Identify how the provider will determine if additional supports are needed for a child; (e) Identify when the provider will request services from Every Child Belongs (ECB); and (f) Include the method that the provider will use to notify a family of concerns related to a child’s behavior, such as written notification or an in-person conference. (3) When a young child is facing potential expulsion, as defined in these rules, a provider must: (a) Document the challenging behaviors and any known triggers (for example: specific activities, times of day, transitions); (b) Document what strategies and supports the provider has used to support the child and their effectiveness; (c) Request services from Every Child Belongs (ECB); and (d) Simultaneously with the request for services from ECB, notify the child’s family regarding the behavior concerns to: (A) Begin to collaboratively problem-solve to identify potential strategies and supports for the child; and (B) Establish frequency and method of ongoing communication with the family. (4) If the provider is unable to connect with the child’s family, as outlined in OAR 414-360-0750(3)(d), the provider must attempt alternative methods of communication and document those attempts. (5) A provider may implement a temporary safety-based intervention if a child’s behavior creates a serious safety threat, as defined by these rules. (6) A provider may only use a temporary safety-based intervention if: (a) There is behavior that meets the definition of serious safety threat. The provider must document the behavior; and (b) The provider has attempted to address the behavior through strategies outlined in their Behavior and Guidance Policy (OAR 414-360-0700), strategies suggested by the family, and any recommendations from professionals previously consulted about the child. (7) If a provider initiates a temporary safety-based intervention, the provider must: (a) Notify the child's family or other emergency contact immediately; (b) Contact ECB immediately to request services, if not already done; and (c) Notify CCLD of the temporary safety-based intervention and expected duration by 5:00pm the next business day. (8) The length of a temporary safety-based intervention may only be for the time necessary to incorporate supports to reduce the occurrence of the behavior. The temporary safety-based intervention must end as soon as safety can be maintained with supports in place. (9) The provider must document the basis for the duration of the temporary safety-based intervention. (10) During the temporary safety-based intervention, the provider must communicate with the family regarding: (a) Updates on access to supports; (b) Any changes to the child’s behaviors while not in care; and (c) Timeline to return to care. (11) If requested by CCLD, a provider must update CCLD if the expected duration of the temporary safety-based intervention changes.