SECTION 340:110-3-167. Requirements for children's shelters

(a)   Children's shelter. A children's shelter is a non-secure public or private residential program that provides temporary care and supervision for children.

(b)   Requirements. Children's shelters comply with the rules contained in OAC 340:110-3-145 through 340:110-3-165.1, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(c)   Tuberculin test. Children's shelters comply with the rules contained in OAC 340:110-3-153.1(g)(2) regarding tuberculin tests.

(d)   Supervision of residents. Children's shelters are exempt from the rules contained in OAC 340:110-3-153.2 pertaining to supervision of residents. The shelter, however, employs an adequate number of staff as child care workers to meet the needs of the residents. All staff members on duty are awake and accessible at all times.

(1)   For residents ages 0 to five years of age, the facility maintains a ratio of one staff person for four residents (1:4).

(2)   For residents ages six to 11 years of age, the facility maintains a ratio of one staff person for six residents (1:6).

(3)   For residents ages 12 - to 18 year of age, the facility maintains a ratio of one staff person for eight residents (1:8).

(e)   Admission. Children's shelters are exempt from the rules contained in OAC 340:110-3-154(a)(1) - (5) regarding admission. Shelters, however, meet the requirements contained in (1) - (7) of this subsection in addition to OAC 340:110-3-154 (a)(5) - (7).

(1)   Persons 18 years of age and older are not admitted to a shelter. A shelter may continue to serve a person who entered the shelter prior to his or her eighteenth birthday through the completion of his or her placement plan.

(2)   The shelter admits only those children for which it has an established operational program.

(3)   If a child is admitted by anyone other than a parent or custodian, the shelter documents the attempts to contact the parent or custodian.

(4)   Each child and parent or custodian entering the shelter is asked if the child is in good health and taking any type of medication.

(5)   Each child in a shelter receives a health screening by an RN or LPN by the child's eighth day of care. However, a documented medical exam performed within the 12 months prior to admission is acceptable when a child is transferred from another licensed facility.

(6)   If a resident shows symptoms of illness or injury, the parent or custodian is notified for appropriate action.

(7)   Upon admission, the facility documents:

(A)   child's name, date of birth, Social Security number, sex, race, tribal affiliation, address, and telephone number;

(B)   name of parents or custodian, address, phone number, and place of employment;

(C)   date and time of admission;

(D)   name, phone number, and address of person responsible for bringing the child to the shelter;

(E)   reason for referral;

(F)   name of staff person on duty at admission;

(G)   school the child attends and grade;

(H)   description of the child's physical and emotional condition; and

(I)   comments that relate to any circumstances concerning the child's placement.

(f)   Service plan. Children's shelters are exempt from the rules contained in OAC 340:110-3-154(b)(1) regarding service plans. A written service plan is developed and documented for each resident within three days of admission. Children's shelters meet the guidelines contained in OAC 340:110-3-154(b)(1)(A) - (B).

(g)   Physical facility. Children's shelters are exempt from the rules contained in OAC 340:110-3-157(b) regarding square footage. Shelters, however, meet the requirements contained in (1) - (5) of this subsection.

(1)   Habitable living areas are provided as stated in (2) - (5) of this subsection. This does not include offices, bathrooms, hallways, kitchen, laundry, furnace, utility, or office areas.

(2)   There is a total of 100 square feet of habitable living area per resident, including sleeping space.

(3)   Each sleeping room for more than one resident contains 50 square feet per occupant.

(4)   Each sleeping room intended for one resident contains 80 square feet.

(5)   All areas counted as habitable space have a minimum ceiling height of seven feet, six inches.

[Source: Added at 18 Ok Reg 3331, eff 10-1-01 (emergency); Added at 19 Ok Reg 1171, eff 5-13-02; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2239, eff 7-1-09]