8 Colo. Code Regs. § 1402-1-2.807

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, June 10, 2024

Section 8 CCR 1402-1-2.807 - PERSONNEL POLICIES, ORIENTATION AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT

A. A written statement of personnel policy shall be provided to each substitute or qualified applicant. This statement shall, at a minimum, contain the following information:

1. A job description which outlines the duties, responsibilities, qualifications; and educational requirements for the position.

2. A procedure for tracking the placement hours, including the name of the facility, the license number, facility address and ages of children where the substitute is placed.

3. Prior to working with children, each substitute must read and be instructed about the policies and procedures of the Agency, including those related to proper supervision of children, identification and symptoms of suspected child abuse or neglect, the reporting of suspected child abuse. Substitutes must sign a statement indicating that they have read and understand the Agency's policies and procedures.

4. A written pre-service training plan for each substitute. Each substitute must complete the following training before being placed in a child care facility:

a. Each substitute working with infants less than twelve (12) months old must complete a Department-approved safe sleep training prior to working with infants less than twelve (12) months old. This training must be renewed annually and may be counted towards ongoing training requirements.

b. Each substitute working with children less than three (3) years of age must complete a Department-approved prevention of shaken baby/abusive head trauma training prior to working with children less than three (3) years of age. This training must be renewed annually and counts towards ongoing training requirements.

c. Each substitute must complete a Department-approved standard precautions training that meets current occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) requirements prior to working with children. This training must be renewed annually and counts towards ongoing training requirements.

d. Prior to working with children and annually each substitute must be trained using Department-approved training about child abuse prevention, including common symptoms and signs of child abuse.

e. Prior to working with children and annually each substitute must be trained using a Department-approved training on how to report, where to report and when to report suspected or known child abuse or neglect.

f. The agency must ensure that each substitute is familiar with the licensing rules governing the specific child care license type in which the substitute will be placed within thirty (30) calendar days of employment at the substitute placement agency.

g. The Agency must ensure that each substitute is familiar with the rules and regulations governing the health and sanitation of child care facilities in the state of Colorado if placed in a facility that these rules apply within thirty (30) calendar days of employment at the substitute placement agency.

h. Each substitute must have current Department-approved First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification before working in a classroom alone.

i. Each substitute must complete a minimum of fifteen (15) clock hours of training each year beginning with the start date of the employee. At least three (3) clock hours per year must be in the focus of social emotional development.

j. Ongoing training and courses shall demonstrate a direct connection to one or more of the following competency areas:

1) Child growth and development, and learning or courses that align with the competency domains of child growth and development;

2) Child observation and assessment;

3) Family and community partnership;

4) Guidance;

5) Health, safety and nutrition;

6) Professional development and leadership;

7) Program planning and development; or

8) Teaching practices

k. Each one (1) semester credit hour course with a direct connection to the competency area listed in rule section 2.807(A)(4)(j), taken at a regionally accredited college or university shall count as fifteen (15) clock hours of ongoing training.

l. Training hours completed can only be counted during the year taken and cannot be carried over.

m. To be counted for ongoing training, the training certificate must have documentation that includes:

1) The title of the training;

2) The competency domain;

3) The date and clock hours of the training;

4) The name or signature, or other approved method of verifying the identity of trainer or entity;

5) Expiration of training if applicable; and

6) Connection to social emotional focus if applicable.

5. The substitute must have a complete file maintained at the substitute placement agency and have a portable file available for review at all times to both licensing and the child care facility where the substitute is providing substitute care. Documentation of qualifications for the position includes:

a. Certificate verifying all pre-service training, including name, phone number, and license number of agency;

b. Department issued director letter; or

c. Department issued early childhood teacher letter; or

d. Official college transcript and letters of experience; or

e. Credential 2.0 level 3 or higher; and

f. First aid and CPR certificates; and

g. Complete background check; and

h. Emergency contact name, address and phone number.

6. Substitutes must not consume or be under the influence of any substance that impairs their ability to care for children while caring for children.

7. Illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, marijuana and marijuana infused products, and alcohol must never be present on the premises of the facility.

8. Substitutes must maintain the confidentiality of the children, families and the child care facility where the substitute is placed.

9. Substitutes are responsible for documenting experience hours with the specific ages of children cared for, while providing substitute child care for the purpose of employment verification with the agency.

10. Substitutes must not take personal photos of children, or make reference to any personal information of children, families or other child care facilities, including staff, on social media, email, text messages or other means of communication, written or verbal.

11. When caring for children, substitutes must refrain from personal use of electronics including, but not limited to, cell phones and portable electronic devices.

12. Substitutes must sign in and out of every facility each time they work at a child care facility.

8 CCR 1402-1-2.807

46 CR 22, November 25, 2023, effective 12/15/2023