N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:56-9.20

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

Section 3A:56-9.20 - Special requirements for communication and visiting

(a) The requirements in this section apply only to homes that:

1. Are located in areas that are remote or away from ordinary means of communication; or

2. Use travel, including, but not limited to, backpacking, sailing or a wagon train.

(b) The home shall permit family members, the Division's worker, or other placing agency to visit the child where he or she is currently living and shall provide comfortable inside space when the weather prohibits outside visitation.

1. The home shall provide privacy for all visits between the child, the Division's worker, or other placing agency.

2. The home shall provide privacy for family visits unless the home documents in the child's record that the child would be at risk during a private family visit.

(c) The home shall develop and maintain on file in the home or home's administrative office plans and procedures to ensure that a child:

1. Can receive an emergency message from his or her family and from the Division's worker or other placing agency within 24 hours of the family member's or the Division's worker or other placing agency's contacting the home or home's administrative office;

2. Is given necessary postage to send mail to family members, the Division's worker, or other placing agency; and

3. Can receive mail from his or her family and the Division's worker or other placing agency on a weekly basis.

(d) The home shall permit the child to make private telephone calls to the Division's worker or other placing agency, upon request.

(e) The home shall permit children to make a free telephone call to a family member at least every other week.

1. The home may impose a time limit of 15 minutes on telephone calls made by children to family members.

2. The home may require children to telephone family members at off-peak times.

3. The home shall not use electronic devices to monitor children's telephone calls to family members, but may observe their reaction during the telephone call.

4. The home shall maintain documentation that children were permitted to make free telephone calls to family members. Such documentation may include but is not limited to copies of telephone bills or notes in logs.

(f) The home shall not prohibit a child from receiving messages or mail or from making bi-weekly monthly telephone calls as a consequence for misbehavior.

(g) The home shall explain its policies and procedures to all families and children upon admission and give parents a written explanation of the policy for visiting and communication. This explanation shall include the procedures for sending emergency messages and mail.

N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:56-9.20

Amended by R.2014 d.103, effective 6/16/2014.
See: 46 N.J.R. 7(a), 46 N.J.R. 1473(b).
In the introductory paragraph of (b), and in (b)1 and (c)2, substituted "worker," for "case manager"; and in (c)1, (c)3, and (d), substituted "worker" for "case manager" throughout.