Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-114.20

Current through Regsiter Vol. 46, No. 26, June 12, 2024

Rule 441-114.20 - Discipline

(1)Generally. The facility shall have written policies regarding methods used for control and discipline of children which shall be available to all staff and to the child's family. Agency staff shall be in control of and responsible for discipline at all times. Discipline shall not include the withholding of basic necessities such as food, clothing, or sleep. Discipline shall not be used for anyone other than a child whose actions resulted in consequences. Group discipline shall not be used because of actions of an individual child or other children.

(2)Corporal punishment prohibited. The facility shall have a policy that clearly prohibits staff or the children from utilizing corporal punishment as a method of disciplining or correcting children. This policy is to be communicated, in writing, to all staff of the facility.

(3)Physical restraint. The use of physical restraint shall be employed only to prevent the child from injury to self, to others, or to property. Physical restraint must be conducted with the child in a standing position whenever possible. Each child has the right to be free from restraint and seclusion, of any form, used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.

a. No staff person shall use any restraint that obstructs the airway of a child.

b. Prone restraint is prohibited. Staff persons who find themselves involved in the use of a prone restraint when responding to an emergency must take immediate steps to end the prone restraint.

c. If a staff person physically restrains a child who uses sign language or an augmentative mode of communication as the child's primary mode of communication, the child shall be permitted to have the child's hands free of restraint for brief periods unless the staff person determines that such freedom appears likely to result in harm to the child, others, or property.

d. The rationale and authorization for the use of physical restraint and staff action and procedures carried out to protect the child's rights and to ensure safety shall be clearly documented in the child's record by the responsible staff persons no later than the end of the shift in which the restraint was used.

e. Documentation of restraint use shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(1) Each use of restraint or control room.

(2) The time the intervention began and ended.

(3) The reason that required the resident to be restrained or put in a control room.

(4) The name of staff involved in the intervention.

(4)Other restraints and control room. Only comprehensive residential facilities may use a control room, locked cottages, or mechanical restraints.

(5)Behavior expectations. The facility shall make available to the child and the child's parents or guardian written policies regarding the following areas:

a. The general expectation of behavior including the facility's rules and practices.

b. The range of reasonable consequences that may be used to deal with inappropriate behavior.

(6)Time out.

a. A resident in time out must never be physically prevented from leaving the time out area.

b. Time out may take place away from the area of activity or from other residents, such as in the resident's room, or in the area of activity of other residents.

c. Staff must monitor the resident while the resident is in time out.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-114.20

ARC 9488B, lAB 5/4/11, effective 7/1/11

Amended by IAB December 4, 2019/Volume XLII, Number 12, effective 1/8/2020

Amended by IAB April 5, 2023/Volume XLV, Number 20, effective 6/1/2023