N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:56-1.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 3A:56-1.2 - Definition and types of children's group homes

(a) "Childrens group home" or "home" means any public or private establishment other than a resource family home that provides board, lodging, care, and treatment services on a 24-hour basis to 12 or fewer children in a homelike, community-based setting, except that psychiatric community homes for children may have a capacity of 15 or fewer children.

(b) Children's group homes that are subject to the provisions of this manual that typically serve children with less severe behavioral and emotional problems who are capable of functioning in a home-based setting are classified as follows:

1. Group home, which serves from six to 12 children with emotional, social, physical and/or behavioral needs who do not require a more restrictive facility for their own protection or that of others;

2. Supervised transitional living home, which serves 12 or fewer children who are 16 years of age or older, require minimum guidance from staff members in preparation to live independently, and demonstrate maturity to function with minimal adult supervision. Homes that are designed to be located at scattered sites are not included in the requirements for supervised transitional living homes;

3. Teaching family home, which serves 12 or fewer children with emotional, behavioral or other disabilities and which is certified or in the process of being certified as a teaching family home in accordance with the standards of the National Teaching Family Association. Teaching family homes are used for children who require strong professional support and guidance to participate in the life of the community, but who do not require a more restrictive facility for their own protection or that of others;

4. Treatment home, which is an agency-operated residence serving five or fewer children who are capable of community living but who need a small group environment and intensive supervision by staff members in order to ameliorate emotional, social and/or behavioral difficulties. Treatment homes operating in private family dwellings, described as under lease or ownership of the residing family, shall operate at a capacity of no more than three children in placement where there is only one treatment home parent;

5. Alternative care home, which is an agency-operated residence serving three or fewer children with emotional, behavioral or other disabilities and which is certified or is in the process of being certified as an alternative care home in accordance with the standards of the National Teaching Family Association. Alternative care homes are used for children who require strong professional support and guidance to participate in the life of the community, but who do not require a more restrictive facility for their own protection or that of others; and

6. Psychiatric community homes for children, which are community residential programs that provide food, shelter and personal guidance on a 24-hour basis, under such supervision as required, to not more than 15 mentally ill children who require assistance. These homes are funded by or contracted with the Department for children who have received or may be at risk of inpatient care in an inpatient facility and who may benefit from psychiatric treatment within a community home, so as to avert more intensive treatment or to facilitate their return home or placement in a longer term residential facility. Such homes are not considered a health care facility within the meaning of the "Health Care Facilities Planning Act," P.L. 1971, c. 136.

N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:56-1.2

Administrative Change, 49 N.J.R. 98a.

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 135(a), effective 1/2/2018