D.C. Mun. Regs. r. 22-A6325
The provisions of this section apply only to residential treatment programs and environmental stability programs, as defined by this chapter.
Each residential provider, except providers only offering environmental stability, must obtain a Certificate of Need ("CON"), from the District of Columbia State Health Planning and Development Agency ("SHPDA").
The CON must be submitted as part of the certification application packet.
Each residential treatment program serving children and youth under eighteen (18) must obtain written approval from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education ("OSSE").
Residential treatment and environmental stability providers shall comply with all applicable construction codes and housing codes, and zoning requirements applicable to the facility, including all Certificate of Occupancy, Basic Business License ("BBL"), and Construction Permit requirements.
Each newly established residential treatment and environmental stability provider shall provide proof of a satisfactory pre-certification inspection by DCRA for initial certification, dated not more than forty- five (45) calendar days prior to the date of submission to the Department, for District of Columbia Property Maintenance Code (12-G DCMR) and Housing Code (14 DCMR) compliance, including documentation of the inspection date and findings and proof of abatement certified by DCRA of all deficiencies identified during the inspection. This requirement can be met by submission of a Certificate of Occupancy or a BBL dated within the past six (6) months, provided that that applicant can demonstrate that DCRA performed an onsite inspection of the premises.
For existing residential treatment and recovery programs that are applying for re-certification, the applicants shall also provide proof of current BBLs.
Residential facilities' physical design and structure shall be sufficient to accommodate staff, clients, and functions of the program and shall make available an area(s) for indoor social and recreational activities.
A program that provides overnight accommodations shall not operate more beds than the number for which it is authorized by the Department.
Other than routine household duties, no client shall be required to perform unpaid work.
Upon admission to a residential program, each client shall be provided a copy of the program's house rules.
Each residential program shall have house rules consistent with this chapter and that include, at a minimum, rules concerning:
Each residential program shall be equipped, furnished, and maintained to provide a functional, safe, and comfortable home-like setting.
The dining area shall have a sufficient number of tables and chairs to seat all individuals residing in the facility at the same time. Dining chairs shall be sturdy, non-folding, without rollers unless retractable, and designed to minimize tilting.
Each residential program shall permit each client to bring reasonable personal possessions, including clothing and personal articles, to the facility unless the provider can demonstrate that it is not practical, feasible or safe.
Each residential facility shall provide clients with access to reasonable individual storage space for private use.
Upon each client's discharge from a residential program, the provider shall return to the client, or the client 's representative, any personal articles of the client held by the provider for safekeeping. The provider shall also ensure that the client is permitted to take all of his or her personal possessions from the facility. The provider may require the client or client 's representative to sign a statement acknowledging receipt of the property. A copy of that receipt shall be placed in the client's record.
Each residential program shall maintain a separate and accurate record of all funds that the client or the client's representative or representative payee deposits with the provider for safekeeping. This record shall include the signature of the client for each withdrawal and the signature of facility staff for each deposit and disbursement made on behalf of a client.
Each residential facility shall be equipped with a functioning landline or mobile telephone for use by clients. The telephone numbers shall be provided to clients and to the Department.
Staff bedrooms shall be separate from client bedrooms and all common living areas.
Each facility housing a residential program shall have a functioning doorbell or knocker.
Each bedroom shall comply with the space and occupancy requirements for habitable rooms in 14 DCMR § 402.
The provider shall ensure each client has the following items:
Each bed shall be placed at least three (3) feet from any other bed and from any uncovered radiator.
Each bedroom shall have direct access to a major corridor and at least one window to the outside, unless the DCRA, or a successor agency responsible for enforcement of the D.C. Housing Code, has determined that it otherwise meets the lighting and ventilation requirements of the D.C. Housing Code for habitable rooms.
Each facility housing a residential program shall provide one or more bathrooms for clients that are equipped with the following fixtures, properly installed and maintained in good working condition:
Each residential facility shall provide at least one (1) bathroom for each six (6) occupants in compliance with 14 DCMR § 602.
Each bathroom shall be adequately equipped with the following:
Each residential provider shall ensure that properly anchored grab bars or handrails are provided near the toilet or other areas of the bathroom, if needed by any resident in the facility.
Adequate provision shall be made to ensure each client's privacy and safety in the bathroom.
Each residential program shall promote each client's participation and skill development in menu planning, shopping, food storage, and kitchen maintenance, if appropriate.
Each residential program shall provide appropriate equipment (including a washing machine and dryer) and supplies on the premises or through a laundry service to ensure sufficient clean linen and the proper sanitary washing and handling of linen and clients' personal clothing.
Each program shall ensure that every client has at least three (3) washcloths, two (2) towels, two (2) sheet sets that include pillowcases, a bedspread, a pillow, a blanket, and a mattress cover in good and clean condition.
Each blanket, bedspread, and mattress cover shall be cleaned regularly, when ever soiled, and before being transferred from one resident to another.
Each piece of bed linen, towel, and washcloth shall be changed and cleaned as often as necessary to maintain cleanliness, provided that all towels and bed linen shall be changed at least once each week.
No person who is not a client, staff member, or child of a client (only in the case of programs for parents and children) may reside at a facility that houses a residential treatment program.
Providers shall ensure that clients can access all scheduled or emergency medical and dental appointments.
Providers serving parents and children must take precautions to ensure child safety, including but not limited to protection for windows, outlets, and stairways.
Each facility housing a program that provides services for parents with children shall have extra supplies for babies, including but not limited to diapers, wipes, baby soap, baby food and formula.
The following provisions apply only to residential treatment programs, except environmental stability programs, as defined by this chapter:
D.C. Mun. Regs. r. 22-A6325