Or. Admin. Code § 419-460-0170

Current through Register Vol. 64, No. 1, January 1, 2025

Section 419-460-0170 - Outdoor Youth Programs: Age Grouping

An outdoor youth program must comply with all of the following requirements:

(1) Minimum Age. A child in care in the outdoor youth program must be at least 10 years of age.

(2) Grouping. The outdoor youth program must have policy and documentation regarding age grouping. An outdoor youth program may place children in care in groups only after taking into consideration these factors: the age, developmental level, physical maturity, social maturity, behavioral functioning, cognitive level, diagnosis (if any), and individual needs of each child in care.

(3) Placement of youth age 10 years through 12 years. An outdoor youth program may place children in care 10 years of age through 12 years of age only in a program component designed for this age group, unless the outdoor youth program has been granted an exception by the Department licensing coordinator.

(4) Placement with adults. If the outdoor youth program serves children in care age 18 years of age or older, it may place children in care under the age of 18 in the same group with children in care age 18 and older only after taking special care to assess and minimize the risk to children in care under the age of 18.

(5) Placement decisions. An outdoor youth program must make placements of children in care in groups to maximize each child in care's functioning and minimize the possibility of exploitation. In making the placement decision in section (4) of this rule or in deciding to request an exception to place a child in care age 10 years of age through 12 years of age in an older group, an assigned staff member with documented experience placing children in care in groups and who is familiar with the outdoor youth program must:

(a) Base the placement on the factors listed in section (2) of this rule;

(b) Document the basis for the decision and the appropriateness of the placement in the child in care's service plan; and

(c) Review the therapeutic appropriateness of the decision every week after the placement, document whether the decision remains appropriate, and make any changes indicated.

Or. Admin. Code § 419-460-0170

SOSCF 9-2002, f. & cert. ef. 5-29-02; Renumbered from 413-210-0818, CWP 28-2008, f. & cert. ef. 10-17-08; CWP 12-2016(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-16 thru 12-27-16; CWP 22-2016, f. & cert. ef. 12-1-16; CWP 80-2020, minor correction filed 01/15/2020, effective 01/15/2020; Renumbered from 413-215-0991 by CWP 26-2022, filed 11/28/2022, effective 12/1/2022

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 418.005

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 418.990 - 418.998 & ORS 418.205 - 418.325