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SUBCHAPTER 70J - MINIMUM LICENSING STANDARDS FOR SPECIALIZED RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE PROGRAMS

SECTION .0100 - CHILDREN'S FOSTER CARE CAMPS

10A NCAC 70J .0101 APPLICABILITY
In addition to the rules in 10A NCAC 70I, the rules in this Section shall apply to all persons licensed or seeking licensure for a children's foster care camp as defined in 10A NCAC 70I .0201.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;
Eff. July 1, 1999 (See S. L. 1999, c.237, s.11.30).
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10A NCAC 70J .0102 ADMISSION CRITERIA
In order to be considered for admission into a foster care camp, a child shall meet the following criteria:
(1) be between the ages of eight and 17 years old;
(2) be physically able to participate in a camping experience; and
(3) voluntarily consent to admission, recognizing/understanding the need for a therapeutic camping experience.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;
Eff. July 1, 1999 (See S. L. 1999, c.237, s.11.30).
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10A NCAC 70J .0103 PERSONNEL
(a) Direct service personnel and supervisory personnel, in addition to supervision and training specified in 10A NCAC 70I .0405(f)(2)(B), shall be provided supervision and training in the following areas:
(1) rescue evacuation, updated every three years; and
(2) basic emergency water safety course, with certification documented in the camp files and updated every three years.
(b) There shall be a minimum of two counselors with certification in Basic Rescue and Water Safety for each 10 children participating in activities involving water, including, but not limited to: swimming, boating, canoeing, and rafting.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;
Eff. July 1, 1999 (See S. L. 1999, c.237, s.11.30).

10A NCAC 70J .0104 SERVICE PLANNING
Each child shall have a medical assessment, within 60 days prior to admission, documenting the child's ability to participate in the activities of a therapeutic camping experience in an outdoor setting.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;
Eff. July 1, 1999 (See S. L. 1999, c.237, s.11.30).
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10A NCAC 70J .0105 SERVICE DELIVERY
(a) An itinerary shall be on file at camp for any off-campus activity lasting longer than 24 hours. The itinerary shall include participants' names, daily schedule, list of check-in points, selected routes and telephone numbers of emergency resources along each route (sheriffs, hospitals, rescue squads).
(b) Education.
(1) Each camp shall provide an alternative education experience and the educational program shall comply with the special education requirements of the Department of Public Instruction; or, each camp must be registered as and meet the requirements for a non-public school.
(2) Education in a camp setting must be monitored and evaluated pursuant to either public or non-public school educational testing requirements to determine the child's achievement level.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;
Eff. July 1, 1999 (See S. L. 1999, c.237, s.11.30).
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10A NCAC 70J .0106 BUILDINGS AND GROUND EQUIPMENT
(a) Facilities.
(1) All sleeping units must provide at least the following space:
(A) 50 square feet per person;
(B) Three feet between the head, feet and sides of beds and sleepers; and
(C) 30 inches between sides of beds.
(2) All camper sleeping facilities shall be limited to one level structures.
(3) Any structure, sleeping or otherwise, with an occupancy of more than 12 persons, including staff, shall have at least two separate and independent means of exit.
(4) Open flame lighting shall not be used in sleeping shelters for lighting and heating.
(b) Grounds:
(1) There shall be potable water available at each camp site.
(2) At each children's camp there shall be provided a minimum of:
(A) one shower head for each 20 children;
(B) one flush toilet for each 20 children;
(C) one urinal for each 30 male children (urinals may not be substituted for flush toilets);
(D) one handwashing facility, adjacent to toilet facilities, for each 20 children; and
(E) a wilderness latrine facility approved pursuant to the rules of the Commission for Health Services.
(c) Equipment:
(1) Laundry facilities or equipment shall be available at each camp for all staff and children.
(2) Gasoline, kerosene, and other flammable materials shall be stored in covered safe containers, plainly labeled for contents.
(3) Power tools:
(A) All power tools, including mowers and trimmers, must have safety devices and be used according to manufacturer's instruction, maintained in good repair, and used only by those persons trained and experienced in their safety.
(B) Campers shall receive safety instructions before using such equipment.
(C) When campers are using such equipment, a trained and responsible adult must be present.
(D) When not in use, all power tools shall be stored in a locked place not occupied by children.
(4) Fire extinguishers shall be available in all areas so designated by fire safety officials, shall be properly charged and shall have current inspection labels.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;
Eff. July 1, 1999 (See S.L. 1999, c. 237, s. 11.30);
Amended Eff. July 18, 2002.
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SECTION .0200 - EMERGENCY SHELTER CARE PROGRAM

10A NCAC 70J .0201 APPLICABILITY
In addition to the rules in 10A NCAC 70I .0100, .0200, .0300, .0400, .0501, .0600 and .0700, the rules in this Section shall apply to all persons licensed or seeking licensure for an emergency shelter care program as defined in 10A NCAC 70I .0201.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;
Eff. July 1, 1999 (See S.L. 1999, c. 237, s. 11.30);
Amended Eff. July 18, 2002.
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10A NCAC 70J .0202 ADMISSION PROCEDURES
(a) At the time of admission, the residential child care facility shall obtain the following information:
(1) The name, sex, race, birth date and birth place of the child;
(2) When available, the parents= names, addresses, telephone numbers, birth dates, races, religion and marital status;
(3) When available, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of siblings and other significant relatives; a record of the child's prior placements with names of care givers, addresses and dates of care; and
(4) If the child has had prior placements, the names of care-givers, addresses and dates of prior placements.
(b) Within 72 hours of admission, the facility shall obtain the following:
(1) a written agreement for admission from the legal custodian;
(2) consent for release of information;
(3) consent for emergency medical treatment; and
(4) consent for family time/visitation.
(c) Within two weeks of admission, the facility shall obtain the following:
(1) Report of the physical examination in accordance with 10A NCAC 70I .0604; and
(2) A social summary which includes background information on the child, his/her family, his/her presenting problems, and current circumstances.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;
Eff. July 1, 1999 (See S. L. 1999, c.237, S.11.30).
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10A NCAC 70J .0203 ADMISSION CRITERIA
The residential child care facility shall enter into and obtain a written agreement from the child's legal custodian within 72 hours of the child's admission which contains the following:
(1) A statement documenting the legal custodian's authority to place the child and designating the legal custodian's consent for the child's admission;
(2) Information which sets forth the role and responsibilities to be performed by the staff in the facility during the child's stay in the program;
(3) Information that specifies the expectations of the legal custodian during the child's stay in the program;
(4) Specification of the anticipated length of the child's stay; and
(5) Specification of the projected goals for the family during the child's stay in the program.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;
Eff. July 1, 1999 (See S. L. 1999, c.237, S.11.30).
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10A NCAC 70J .0204 RECORDKEEPING
Client case record. An individual case record shall be maintained on each child which contains the following:
(1) Written consent for placement;
(2) Documentation of placement authority;
(3) Demographic information on child and the child's family;
(4) Consents for release of information, emergency medical treatment, family time/visitation;
(5) Medical records, including the child's physical and immunization records;
(6) Social summary;
(7) Individualized service plan and biweekly reviews, including family time plan;
(8) Progress notes; and
(9) Discharge summary.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;
Eff. July 1, 1999 (See S. L. 1999, c.237, S.11.30).
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10A NCAC 70J .0205 SERVICE PLANNING
Within one week of admission, an individualized service plan shall be developed and reviewed every other week, thereafter, by the shelter home staff, parents and legal custodian of the child, when appropriate. The individualized service plan shall include:
(1) The expectation and goals to be reached by the child while in care;
(2) The tasks and activities of the shelter home staff to meet the needs of the child while in care;
(3) The tasks and activities of the parents and legal custodian to meet the needs of the child while in care;
(4) The projected discharge plan;
(5) The projected length of stay;
(6) The signatures of the shelter staff, the child, the child's parents and the child's legal custodian if different from the child's parents.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;
Eff. July 1, 1999 (See S. L. 1999, c.237, S.11.30).
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10A NCAC 70J .0206 DISCHARGE SERVICES
(a) The residential child care facility shall establish a policy which specifies that no child shall remain in care longer than 90 days. An exception may be made to this policy if the facility has an established policy which specifies the length of time and the circumstances by which a child will remain in shelter care longer than 90 days.
(b) Prior to discharge, the staff of the residential child care facility shall develop a plan with the child to determine if follow-up services will be provided, the type of services to be provided and the timeframe for conducting these services.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-10.5; 143B-153;
Eff. July 1, 1999 (See S. L. 1999, c.237, S.11.30).



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