Ariz. Admin. Code § 21-6-308

Current through Register Vol. 31, No. 2, January 10, 2025

Section R21-6-308 - Positive Discipline

A. A foster parent shall:

1. Provide positive discipline that is appropriate to the age, life experience, and developmental level of a foster child;

2. Establish well-defined and clearly communicated rules that set the limits of behavior;

3. Develop and implement reasonable, developmentally appropriate, and consistent rewards and consequences;

4. Use disciplinary methods that help a foster child build self-control, self-reliance, and self-esteem;

5. Inform the Child Placing Agency and the licensing agency of behaviors displayed by the foster child that endanger the health, safety, or well-being of the child or others; and

6. Abide by Department policy and rule related to positive discipline and prohibited practices under subsection (B).

B. A foster parent shall not use or threaten to use, or engage in and shall not permit any other person to use or engage in, the following or similar punishment or maltreatment of a foster child:

1. Any form of physical punishment, including hitting, spanking, biting, pinching, shaking, slapping, smacking, punching, or kicking;

2. Deprivation of essential nutrition, clothing, bedding, shelter, medical care, or sleep;

3. Force-feeding, except as prescribed by a licensed medical professional;

4. Locked confinement in a room or small area;

5. A consequence that requires a foster child to remain silent or motionless or to be isolated for a time period that is not developmentally appropriate;

6. Mechanical restraint. A mechanical restraint is an article, device, or garment that:

a. Restricts a foster child's mobility, freedom of movement, or the movement of a portion of a child's body;

b. Cannot be removed by the foster child; but

c. Does not include an orthopedic, surgical, or medical device that allows a foster child to heal from a medical condition or to participate in a treatment program.

7. Humiliation, verbal abuse, or profane language targeting a foster child;

8. Derogatory remarks about the foster child, the child's identity, or about a person who is significant to the child;

9. Threats to remove the foster child from the home;

10. Cruel, severe, depraved, humiliating, or frightening actions or statements;

11. Noxious stimuli as a consequence, including putting soap, vinegar, or hot sauce into a foster child's mouth;

12. Denial of a foster child visitation or communication with the child's birth family members or with a significant person when such denial is not approved by the Child Safety Worker, the Child Safety Worker's supervisor, or ordered by the Court; or

13. Over-the-counter or prescription medication for the purpose of restraining or sedating a foster child without a physician's order.

C. A foster parent shall notify the Child Placing Agency and the licensing agency within 24 hours of a physician ordering a medication for the purpose of behavior management.

D. The use of physical restraint of a foster child is prohibited except to protect a foster child, foster parent, or another person from imminent physical harm resulting from a foster child's sudden, out-of-control behavior.

1. Only a foster parent specifically trained in crisis intervention may use physical restraint on a foster child.

2. No person shall use physical restraint for the purposes of discipline or convenience.

3. A trained foster parent shall administer physical restraint in the least restrictive manner possible to protect the child or others and cease when the child becomes calm.

4. A foster parent shall notify the Child Placing Agency and the licensing agency within 24 hours of the use of physical restraint as required by R21-6-326.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-6-308

New section made by exempt rulemaking at 21 A.A.R. 3479, effective 1/24/2016.