S.C. Code Regs. § 114-593

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 3, March 22, 2024

Section 114-593 - Services to Children

A. Principles for Nurturing Care.

(1) The facility shall do all of the following:

(a) Provide a safe, stable, and humane environment.

(b) Encourage a child's autonomy, respect a child's need for privacy, and consider a child's preferences and choices while providing care, supervision, and training.

(c) Provide care that is respectful toward the beliefs, interpersonal styles, attitudes and behaviors of children and families of various cultures.

B. Admissions.

(1) Intake policies shall be clearly defined, and admission shall be in keeping with the intake policies and limited to those children who fall within the scope of the facility's purpose.

(2) Decisions about admissions shall be based upon an intake study (gathered by the facility prior to admission) of the needs of the child and their family. If an emergency admission is made, the facility shall compile an intake study in partnership with the placing agency within 72 hours upon the reception of the child.

(3) The intake study shall be maintained in the child's record. The study shall include a summary of the following information, if available:

(a) General and demographic information;

(b) Placement need;

(c) Child characteristics;

(d) Family members/siblings;

(e) Sociocultural factors;

(f) Placement history;

(g) Medical and health history;

(h) Mental and behavioral health (including substance abuse);

(i) Trauma screening;

(j) Education;

(k) Legal involvement and history, including court orders if available;

(l) Permanency goal and visitation;

(m) Contact information for the placement authority;

(n) An inventory of the child's belongings.

(4) The facility is required to complete an assessment and individualized care plan for each child within 30 days of admission.

(5) Decisions regarding admissions shall be the responsibility of either the director and/or a case committee (which may include the director, the facility's social worker, caregivers, etc.) and shall be limited to those persons to whom this responsibility is assigned.

(6) The facility shall comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children when admitting children from another state.

(7) Before or upon admission to a facility each child shall be provided with all of the following:

(a) Information on exits and evacuation routes.

(b) Oral notification and a written copy of the child's rights. If the child is 17 years of age or younger, a copy shall also be made available to the child's parent or guardian, and legal custodian, if available.

(c) A copy of the facility rules.

(d) A copy of the facility rules shall also be provided to the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, as appropriate.

C. Care Plans.

(1) The director or his/her designee shall develop a care plan with the participation of the placing agency; the child; a parent if the child is under 18 years of age; a guardian and legal custodian, if applicable and available; and the persons who will provide the required services to the child.

(2) A completed care plan for each child shall be placed in the child's record and shall identify individualized goals and objectives, including all of the following:

(a) A description of the child's strengths, needs, and preferences;

(b) Any court ordered conditions;

(c) Service goals for the child and the time frames for achieving those goals;

(d) Specific services and supports to be provided to achieve the service goals, and names of persons, agencies or position titles responsible for providing services and implementing any of the service goals;

(e) Specific indicators that service goals have been achieved;

(f) Plan for child's discharge;

(g) Successful transition goals into adulthood, if the child is 14 years of age or older;

(h) Plans for visits to the child by parents, other family members and fictive kin with the approval of the placing agency and in accordance with clients' right standards to ensure that an appropriate relationship is maintained between the child and family members;

(i) Arrangements for public school attendance.

(3) At least once every six months, the facility shall conduct a care plan review and revise the care plan as needed, consistent with the child's needs, care plan goals, and the permanency planning goals of the placing agency, parent or guardian. If available, the individuals who participated in the development of the child's assessment and care plan shall be invited to participate in the review.

D. Discharge and Aftercare.

(1) The governing board shall adopt and update, as appropriate, written policies concerning discharge and aftercare, including those regarding the securing and safekeeping of each child's property and funds, the disbursement of allowances or money earned.

(2) Preparation for discharge shall begin at the time of admission with the outlining of goals to be achieved in a documented discharge plan. Ongoing modifications shall be made as progress towards goals dictates. The facility shall document in the child's record efforts made by staff members to prepare the child and the child's family for discharge.

(3) Careful evaluation shall be made on an ongoing basis by both the facility and the placing agency in order to assess when and if a child may be returned to the child's home, placed in a foster home or with relatives or fictive kin, or transferred to another facility better suited to meet the child's needs.

(4) A facility will complete a discharge summary for any child residing in the facility.

The discharge summary shall be available to the Agency or legal guardian within ten business days of discharge.

(5) The discharge summary shall include all of the following:

(a) Dates of the child's stay;

(b) Reason for discharge;

(c) Person or entity to whom the child discharged;

(d) A list of all services received, as well as any follow-up scheduled and recommended appointments with service providers, including the service provider's contact information and any available information;

(e) Summary of incidents involving the child;

(f) Description of type of admission;

(g) If appropriate, any recommendations or suggestions for future placement needs, or services; (h) Any other relevant information.

(6) The child; the parent, guardian, or legal custodian; and the placing agency shall be given an opportunity to participate in developing a post-discharge plan. The plan shall include recommendations for continuing or additional services upon discharge and the name of the person or agency to receive the child upon discharge, if applicable.

(7) A copy of the summary shall be placed in the child's record.

(8) All of the child's personal belongings, including medical equipment shall accompany the child upon discharge. A complete accounting of these items shall be placed and maintained in the child's record. Medication shall be handled as required under regulation 114-593(R)(1)(e), (f) and (g).

(9) A facility shall allow the placing agency at least ten days to make plans for a child whom the facility requests that the placing agency remove from the facility unless both parties agree to earlier removal. This requirement may be waived for private placements.

(10) The facility shall comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children when discharging children from another state.

E. Personal Belongings and Hygiene.

(1) Each child shall be permitted to bring safe and appropriate personal belongings with him/her and to acquire belongings of his/her own.

(2) Each child shall have a place separate from that of other children to keep his/her personal belongings (toys, books, pictures, etc.) as well as his/her clothing. Appropriate storage for personal belongings include dressers, chest of drawers, wardrobe, closets, trunks, desks, and night stands.

(3) Each child shall be provided with sufficient amounts of individually dispensed soap, clean towels, toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, and other personal hygiene products that are gender specific to the child.

(4) A facility shall not withhold personal belongings as a means of behavior management.

F. Clothing.

(1) The facility shall ensure that each child is provided with clothing and shoes individually selected, properly fitted, clean, and in good repair. The facility shall request that the parent, legal guardian or placing agency provides each child with clothing and shoes individually selected, properly fitted, clean, and in good repair.

(2) Clothing shall be appropriate to the season and comparable to that worn by other reasonably dressed children in the community.

(3) Whenever possible, children shall be involved in the purchase and selection of new or donated clothing. Donated clothing may be used if in good condition.

(4) Clothing belonging to child shall be taken with them upon discharge.

(5) Children will be provided with the necessary equipment and supplies for outdoor activities at the facility. G. Nutrition.

(1) Food shall be available and provided to children in sufficient quantities and varieties and shall provide for nutritional and dietary needs. Food or modified diets ordered by a physician shall be provided for those children who have special needs. In planning menus, the religious practices and cultural patterns of the children shall be considered, and foods offered accordingly.

(2) Meals that conform to the dietary guidelines issued by the USDA shall be provided three times per day.

(3) Menus.

(a) Prior to licensure the facility shall submit a menu encompassing four weeks that has been approved by a licensed dietician to demonstrate that the facility understands the minimum nutritional requirements.

(b) When the USDA recommendations are revised the facility shall submit for re-licensure an updated menu encompassing four weeks that has been approved by a licensed dietician to demonstrate that the facility understands the minimum nutritional requirements.

(c) Weekly menus shall:

(i) Be planned in advance of the date of service;

(ii) Specify the actual food served;

(iii) Posted in the food serving area or in another place where children can read them;

(iv) Kept on file and available for at least 30 days after meals have been served.

(d) When it is necessary to substitute one item for another item on a menu, the facility shall ensure that the replacement item has the same nutritional value as the item replaced.

(4) Meals and Snacks.

(a) Meals shall be served at regular times comparable to normal mealtimes in the community.

(b) Food served at a meal shall consist of adequate portions based on the ages of children.

(c) Nutritious snacks shall be provided between meals to children at the facility.

(d) No child shall be deprived of a meal or snack.

(e) Children shall not be forced to eat.

(f) Adults shall be present during the preparation and serving of meals.

(g) The same meal shall be provided for staff and children with the exception of the beverage unless a modified diet is required by a physician or for religious reasons.

H. Activities.

(1) The facility shall establish and implement a written plan of general age or developmentally-appropriate activities for children that shall include all of the following:

(a) Leisure-time activities;

(b) Opportunities to engage in social and community activities;

(c) Self-expression and communication;

(d) Opportunities for physical exercise to encourage gross and fine motor development;

(e) Guidance and assistance in the development of daily living skills;

(f) Activities appropriate to a child's ethnic culture;

(g) Opportunities for activities geared towards the individual interests of children.

(2) Appropriate activities for children's participation shall include but not be limited to extracurricular activities, social activities, sports, school events, field trips, afterschool programs or functions, church activities, utilization of community recreation facilities, participation in community affairs, attendance at cultural events, vacations lasting up to two weeks, overnight activities away from the placement lasting up to one week, employment opportunities; and in-state or out-of-state travel, excluding overseas travel.

(3) The facility shall obtain consent from the placing agency, legal guardian or parent(s) to allow such activities for children who are not in the custody of the Agency. The following shall be taken into consideration when deciding the appropriateness of a child's participation in any off-campus event:

(a) Stipulations of a court order;

(b) The child's background, presenting problems, abilities and interests; and

(c) Whether the activity is suitable, positive, and will contribute to the child's development.

(4) A variety of indoor and outdoor recreational activities and developmentally appropriate play equipment shall be offered.

(5) Documentation of recreational activities that were implemented and were appropriate to the developmental needs, and interests of children shall be on file in the facility and available for review by the Agency licensing representative.

(6) Prior to licensure, the facility shall submit an activity plan including three months of proposed activities.

(7) Prior to re-licensure, the facility shall submit activity plans encompassing at least three consecutive months of completed activities.

I. Promoting Normalcy and the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard.

(1) Normalcy.

(a) A facility shall promote normalcy and the healthy development of a child by supporting the child's right to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities and have experiences that are similar to those of the child's peers of the same age, maturity, or development.

(2) Reasonable and Prudent Parent Decision Maker.

(a) The facility shall ensure the presence on-site of at least one caregiver at all times who is authorized to apply the reasonable and prudent parent standard to decisions involving the participation of each child placed by the Agency in age or developmentally-appropriate activities, and who is provided with training in how to use and apply the reasonable and prudent parent standard.

(b) A reasonable and prudent parent decision maker may be an authorized representative of the facility, executive director, program director, or group care staff member.

(c) A reasonable and prudent parent decision maker shall have knowledge of a child and access to the child's care plan and other child records.

(d) A reasonable and prudent parent decision maker shall document decisions made under this section for activities that do not take place in the facility and are not supervised by a caregiver.

(e) A reasonable and prudent parent decision maker shall document any decision made under this section that requires written permission from the facility in lieu of the child's parent or guardian. The completed form shall be placed in the child's record.

(3) Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard.

(a) All facilities serving children placed by the Agency shall satisfy the reasonable and prudent parent standard when facilitating age- and developmentally-appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities for children in their care.

(b) When using the reasonable and prudent parent standard, a facility shall consider:

(i) the best interests of the child, based on information known by the placement; (ii) the overall health and safety of the child;

(iii) the child's age, maturity, behavioral history, and ability to participate in the proposed activity;

(iv) the potential risks and the appropriateness of the proposed activity;

(v) the importance of encouraging the child's emotional and developmental growth; and

(vi) any permissions or prohibitions outlined in an existing court order.

(c) All facilities serving children placed by the Agency shall be permitted use of the reasonable and prudent parent standard.

(d) The Agency shall not require that the facility receive official agency authorization prior to any exercise of the reasonable and prudent parent standard.

(e) The Agency shall require that the facility inform agency staff during routine visits about the activities in which the foster children in their care participate.

(f) If an activity involves one of the following situations, the Agency shall require reasonable notice in advance of the commencement of such an activity:

(i) Out-of-state or otherwise significant travel (excluding overseas travel, which shall require agency authorization);

(ii) Supervision of the child by another adult or allowance of a child to be temporarily unsupervised;

(iii) Contravenes a birth family's expressed wishes or belief system (if parental rights have not been terminated or if a relationship between the child and his or her kin still exists after termination);

(iv) An important social, cultural, or religious event (e.g., baptism, confirmation, bar mitzvah, etc.);

(v) Any increased level of risk to the child (whether physical or otherwise); or

(vi) Any divergence from plans and/or needs previously discussed by the Agency and the foster placement.

(g) Notice shall be in the form of a phone call, text message, email, letter, or in-person conversation with the child's caseworker.

(h) If one of the above activities is to take place routinely, the Agency shall (unless special circumstances exist or the situation changes) only require advance notice for the initial occurrence of the activity.

(i) The facility shall seek agency authorization in situations in which the Agency or birth parent must sign or consent as the child's legal guardian.

(j) Special authorization by the Agency shall be required for applications to obtain a driver's license for the child.

(k) Nothing in this section shall give the facility the authority to change the child's placement status, including through reunification with family members, violate the Standards of Care set forth agency policy, including those related to discipline practices; or violate or obstruct a court order or court-ordered plan. The following activities shall not constitute reasonable and prudent parenting decisions and shall require agency authorization:

(i) arranging for a child's travel outside of the United States;

(ii) changing a child's school, school attendance, IEP, or participation in a GED program;

(iii) making drastic, permanent, or long-term changes to a child's physical appearance (e.g., through body piercings, tattoos, etc.);

(iv) changing a child's psychotropic or other prescribed medication, altering the administration of such medication, and/or altering a child's treatment regimen;

(v) changing a child's religion or involving a child in activities related to a religion against the birth family's wishes (if parental rights have not been terminated or if a relationship between the child and his or her kin still exists after termination);

(vi) consenting to medical procedures (except in emergency situations as described in Agency policy);

(vii) disclosing the child and/or birth family's image, name, or other personal information in situations other than those specified in Agency policy;

(viii) changing a child's visitation plan in any way;

(ix) changing the communication or visitation plan between the child and his or her siblings;

(x) altering or disrupting a child's case plan or transition plan.

(xi) Nothing in this section shall give the facility the authority to:

(l) A facility shall require each RPPS decision maker to document and communicate with other group care staff and RPPS decision makers about all of the following for children placed by the Agency:

(i) Each child's location, behavior, and program participation;

(ii) Significant incidents involving a child, as specified in the facility's policy and procedures;

(iii) Reasonable and prudent parenting requests and decisions made for children for activities that do not take place in the facility and are not supervised by a caregiver.

(m) All facilities serving children placed by the Agency shall receive training and training materials about knowledge and skills relating to the reasonable and prudent parent standard, including:

(i) The importance of a child's participation in age- and developmentally-appropriate activities;

(ii) The benefits of such activities to a child's well-being;

(iii) Knowledge and skills relating to the developmental stages of the cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral capacities of a child; and

(iv) Knowledge and skills relating to applying the standard to decisions such as whether to allow the child to engage in social, extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and activities, including sports, field trips, and overnight activities lasting one or more days, and to decisions involving the signing of permission slips and arranging of transportation for the child to and from extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities.

(n) All decisions made by the facility in accordance with the reasonable and prudent parent standard shall, when possible and appropriate, include consideration and/or involvement of the child's birth family (as set forth in the principles of Shared Parenting).

J. Behavior Intervention.

(1) The facility shall adopt, and revise as appropriate, a written behavior intervention plan, which shall include:

(a) All facility rules, including a description of acceptable and unacceptable child conduct, curfew requirements, a description of the consequences for violations of facility rules, and procedures related to a child's absence from the group home without permission;

(b) All other policies, procedures and practices related to behavior intervention which are to be utilized by staff, including procedures to be followed in administering the plan and reporting behavior issues.

(2) The behavior intervention plan shall be submitted at the time of licensing or relicensing and when revisions occur.

(3) The written behavior intervention plan shall be shared, initially, and when changes occur, with all staff members, school-aged children, parents, guardians and referral sources.

(4) Cruel, inhumane and inappropriate punishment is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: head shaving or any other dehumanizing or degrading act; deprival of food or family visits; deprival of mail; slapping or shaking; the use of handcuffs; a pattern of threats of removal from the facility as a punishment; using profanity, or any language that the staff member knows or should know may ridicule a child; authorizing, directing or asking a child to discipline another child; disciplining a child for a medical or psychological problem over which the child has no control (e.g., bedwetting, stuttering, etc.); denial of communication and visits with family members; demeaning acts designed to embarrass children; denial of essential program services; denial of shelter, clothing, or personal needs; excessive physical exercise; excessive work tasks; verbal abuse; use of any mechanical restraint or equipment that restricts the movement of an child or a portion of the child's body; use of a prone restraint that places a child in a face down position; use of chemical restraints.

(5) Efforts will be made to ensure the language of the behavior intervention plan shall be within each child's cognitive ability.

(6) All behavior intervention techniques shall begin with the least restrictive methods, including de-escalation. Children shall not be subjected to corporal punishment.

K. Time Out.

(1) As used in this subsection, "time-out" means a behavior intervention technique that is defined as the temporary restriction of an individual for a period of time to a designated area from which the person is not physically prevented from leaving, for the purpose of providing the individual an opportunity to regain self-control.

(2) Time-out shall not be used for the convenience of staff members or volunteers, as a means of coercion, discipline, or retaliation.

(3) Time-out shall not be used for a child who is in danger of harming himself or herself or for a child under 3 years old.

(4) Areas used for time-outs shall be free of objects with which a child could self-inflict bodily harm, shall provide a view of the child at all times, shall be equipped with adequate ventilation and lighting, shall not be enclosed by a door and shall comply with the safety requirements as required by the State Fire Code.

(5) The use of time-outs shall be appropriate to the developmental level and the age of the child and may not be for a period longer than the period of time necessary for the child to regain control.

(6) The maximum length of time that a child may be in time-out on each occurrence of time-out shall be one minute per the age of the child, but in no event shall time-out be utilized for a child who is under the age of three (3).

(7) The need for continued use of a time-out shall be reviewed at least every ten (10) minutes and documented in the child's record.

(8) A child that is in a time-out shall be permitted use of the toilet if requested.

(9) Any child that is in a time-out shall be within hearing of a staff member.

(10) A child that is in a time-out shall be permitted to leave the time-out room to eat meals.

(11) Within twelve (12) hours of occurrence, there shall be documentation in the child's record of each time-out, including the name of each staff member involved, the length of the time-out, and rationale for use.

L. Emergency Safety Intervention.

(1) Facilities that use physical restraints shall have a written restraint policy.

(2) All caregivers of a facility shall be trained and certified through the same nationally accredited restraint-training curriculum (i.e. Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Crisis Prevention Institute, etc.) before participating in a restraint.

(3) The facility staff shall be aware of each child's medical and psychological conditions to ensure that the emergency safety intervention that is utilized does not pose any undue danger to the physical or mental health of the child.

(4) A staff member may not use any type of physical restraint on a child unless the child's behavior presents an imminent danger of harm to self or others and physical restraint is necessary to contain the risk and keep the child and others safe.

(5) A staff member shall attempt other feasible alternatives to de-escalate a child and situation before using physical restraint.

(6) A staff member may not use physical restraint as disciplinary action, for the convenience of the staff member, or for therapeutic purposes.

(7) If physical restraint is necessary, a staff member may only use the physical restraint in the following manner:

(a) With the least amount of force necessary and in the least restrictive manner to manage the imminent danger of harm to self or others;

(b) That lasts only for the duration of time that there is an imminent danger of harm to self or others;

(c) That does not include any of the following:

(i) Any mechanical restraint or equipment that restricts the movement of a child or a portion of the child's body;

(ii) A prone restraint that places a child in a face down position as behavior intervention;

(iii) Any maneuver or technique that does not give adequate attention and care to protection of the child's head;

(iv) Any maneuver that places pressure or weight on the child's chest, lungs, sternum, diaphragm, back, or abdomen causing chest compression;

(v) Any maneuver that places pressure, weight, or leverage on the neck or throat, on any artery, or on the back of the child's head or neck, or that otherwise obstructs or restricts the circulation or blood or obstructs an airway, such as straddling or sitting on the child's torso;

(vi) Any type of choke hold;

(vii) Any technique that uses pain inducement to obtain compliance or control, including punching, hitting, hyperextension of joints, or extended use of pressure points for pain compliance;

(viii) Any technique that involves pushing on or into a child's mouth, nose, or eyes, or covering the child's face or body with anything, including soft objects, such as pillows, washcloths, blankets, and bedding.

(8) After an episode of physical restraint, a debriefing shall take place with the child and staff that were involved in the physical restraint.

(9) Each staff member who uses a physical restraint or who witnesses the use of a physical restraint shall, within 24 hours of each incident, give the director or director's designee a written description of the incident. The director or director's designee shall document each incident, including date, time, and a description of the circumstances of the incident, and complete a critical incident report. Each description shall include all of the following:

(a) The name, age, and sex of each child involved;

(b) The date, time, and location of the incident;

(c) The name and job title of each staff member involved in the restraint and each staff member or volunteer who witnessed the use of the restraint;

(d) Circumstances leading up to the use of restraint, the behavior that prompted the restraint, efforts made to de-escalate the situation and the alternatives to restraint that were attempted;

(e) A description of the administration of the restraint, including the holds used and the reasons the holds were necessary;

(f) The beginning and ending time of the restraint and how the restraint ended;

(g) Behavior of the child during and after the use of the restraint;

(h) Any injuries sustained by a child or staff member and any medical care provided, including the name and title of the person providing the care;

(i) Any follow-up debriefing provided to children and staff.

(10) At least once per quarter, the facility, utilizing a master restraint log and the child's case record, shall review the use of all restraints for each child and staff member, including the type of intervention used and the length of time of each use, to determine whether there was a clinical basis for the intervention, whether the use of the restraint was warranted, whether any alternatives were considered or employed, the effectiveness of the intervention or alternative, and the need for additional training. Written documentation of all such reviews shall be maintained. Where the facility identifies opportunities for improvement as a result of such reviews or otherwise, the facility shall implement these changes through an effective quality improvement plan.

M. Family Involvement and Visitation.

(1) Unless a child has been removed from the custody of the child's family and visitation is specifically prohibited by a court order or other legal document, the child shall not be denied opportunities to maintain relationships with family or fictive kin and every effort shall be made (in coordination with the placing agency when one is involved) to strengthen these relationships. These efforts shall include, but not be limited to, interaction by face-to-face contact; telephone calls; letters; emails; and attendance at routine activities, such as counseling sessions, medical appointments, school events, and faith-related activities.

(2) Plans for family visitation shall be included in the written care plan for the child. The Agency shall provide the facility with the court-ordered visitation plan for children in the Agency's custody and the facility shall implement the visitation plan in coordination with the Agency.

(3) Documentation of family strengthening effort shall be included in the child's record.

(4) Correspondence between the child and the family shall not be censored, except in extreme circumstances (e.g., sending/receipt of contraband, dangerous materials, sexually explicit, etc.) with those involved being advised that their correspondence is being censored. The reason for censorship shall be documented in the child's record.

N. Exploitation.

(1) A facility shall not use a child for solicitation of funds, without the written permission of the parent or legal guardian and the child (if more than ten years of age). This shall include the child making or giving public statements pertaining to his/her history or dependency on or gratitude to the facility; the facility making such public statements about a particular child; or having a child collect or solicit donations on behalf of the facility.

(2) A facility shall obtain the written consent of the child's parent(s), or legal custodian before using the child's name, photograph or other identifying information in any form of written, visual or verbal communication which will be made public (e.g., social media, newspaper, television or radio articles/publicity materials; materials mailed or otherwise distributed by the facility to the public, etc.).

O. Medical Care.

(1) There shall be adequate provision for health care, with services available at all times. A child's general health care shall be under the direction of one specific doctor, clinic, or other licensed health facility.

(2) A facility shall comply with Agency policy regarding medical consent for each child placed by the Agency.

(3) All necessary medical care with respect to treatment of illness and correction of physical disabilities shall be carried out promptly.

(4) Each child shall be provided with all required inoculations as well as such additional inoculations as may be appropriate under the circumstances, except with a documented medical or religious exemption obtained from a licensed physician or from the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

(5) The facility, in partnership with the parent, legal guardian, or placing agency, shall ensure that each child receives medical and dental care as needed and shall be responsible for seeking care, scheduling medical appointments, transporting the child to and from medical appointments, supervising medical appointments and communicating with medical staff.

(6) Within six months prior to or within seventy-two hours after admission to a facility, the parent, legal guardian, or placing agency shall ensure a child has a recorded medical examination conducted by a licensed physician or a licensed nurse practitioner.

(7) At a minimum, annual health examinations by a licensed physician or a licensed nurse practitioner shall be provided for each child except those less than two (2) years of age, who shall have an examination at least every six months. Children in the Agency's custody must complete health examinations in compliance with Agency policy.

(8) Children shall have had a dental examination by a licensed dentist within the six months prior to admission. Dental treatment shall be provided every six months for children over the age of two.

(9) A facility shall maintain on file a record as to each child's health, including a continuous medical record reflecting each child's growth and development, illnesses, treatments, inoculations, dental care, annual health examination and requests for medical records from the placing authority.

(10) The person or entity with legal custody shall be responsible for payment of any medical services received.

P. Hospitalization.

(1) The facility shall make provision and establish procedures for hospitalization when needed for a child under its care.

(2) Medical consent for planned hospitalization or a medical treatment shall be obtained from the child's legal guardian, parent or an appropriate Agency representative.

(3) If a child needs hospitalization or medical treatment, the child's parent, legal guardian, or placing agency shall be notified as soon as possible.

(4) In the case of an emergency event requiring an evaluation or treatment, a group home staff person shall remain with the child at the hospital or emergency location at all times and the child's parent, legal guardian, or placing agency shall be notified immediately but no later than two hours. A group home staff person shall remain with the child until a plan can be agreed upon between the group home and the child's parent, legal guardian or placing agency.

Q. Illness and First Aid.

(1) Each caregiver shall be able to recognize the common symptoms of illness of children and to note any obvious physical disability.

(2) Each building and vehicle used to transport children shall have a first aid kit or first aid supplies that will provide care to the maximum number of children allowed under the facility license. The first aid kit or first aid supplies shall be inventoried and re-supplied as needed.

(3) A first aid kit shall be readily available to caregivers on site and away from the facility.

R. Medications.

(1) Medication Storage and Disposal.

(a) Medication including over-the-counter medication, shall be kept in the container in which it was purchased or prescribed. No person may transfer medication that has been prescribed or purchased over-the-counter to another container or change the label on any medication, unless the person is a pharmacist.

(b) Medication shall be locked and stored in a location that is inaccessible to children. Only staff members who are designated in writing by the director shall have access to keys to the medication. Prescription and over-the-counter medication shall not be stored next to chemicals or other contaminants.

(c) Medication shall be kept under acceptable conditions of sanitation, temperature, light, moisture, and ventilation according to the requirements of each medication. Medication that requires refrigeration shall be stored in a separate locked compartment or container that is properly labeled, stored separately from food items, and kept inaccessible to children.

(d) If children are away from the facility with staff during the time they need to take their medication or over 24 hours, facility staff shall keep medicines locked, in the original container and kept with the staff person who is responsible and trained to administer medication. The medication administration record shall accompany the medication and be completed as detailed under Regulation 114-593(R)(2).

(e) Within 72 hours of the medication's expiration date, the date the medication is no longer in use by the child for whom the medication was prescribed or purchased, or the date the child is discharged, unused medication shall be returned to a parent, guardian, or the placing agency or destroyed.

(f) Unused medications shall be destroyed by the director following the recommendations of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control or returned to the prescribing pharmacy to be destroyed.

(g) The facility shall maintain a log of medication destroyed. The information logged shall be written in ink and shall include the amount of medication destroyed, the name of the staff member who destroyed the medication, and the name of the child to whom the medication belongs. Whenever medication is released to a child's parent, guardian or legal custodian, that information, including the name of the medication, the amount of the medication released and the person receiving the medication, shall be documented in the child's record.

(2) Medication Administration.

(a) A monthly medication administration record shall be maintained. Immediately upon administering medication to a child, the staff member administering shall record all of the following on the medication administration record:

(i) Full name of the child to whom the medication was administered;

(ii) Date and time the medication was administered;

(iii) Name and dosage of the medication administered, or medical treatments received;

(iv) Signature of the staff member who administered or supervised the administration of medication;

(v) Any refusal of medication;

(vi) Any adverse reaction to the medication and steps taken to notify the child's health care provider, parent, guardian, or legal custodian;

(vii) Documentation from the prescribing physician regarding any medication changes within the current month;

(viii) Any error in medication administration (e.g. failure to administer a medication at the prescribed time, administering an incorrect dosage of medication or administering the wrong medication) and the steps taken to address it.

(b) Each entry made under this subsection shall be written in ink.

(c) Medication administration records shall be reviewed monthly, at a minimum, to ensure medication errors or events are documented and addressed appropriately.

(d) A facility shall designate and authorize specific staff to administer medications and supervise the taking of medications. Only designated and authorized staff shall administer and supervise the taking of medication. Staff will ensure medication has been taken by the person to whom it is prescribed.

(e) Staff administering medication shall have received medication training. Documentation of training shall be filed in the staff person's personnel record.

(f) If a designated and/or authorized staff member makes three medication errors in 30 days, then that staff member shall not administer medications until the staff member receives additional training by the director or designated staff as appropriate to the specific circumstances. Documentation of how the issue was addressed shall be maintained by the facility.

(3) Psychotropic Medications Non-Emergency Procedures.

(a) A facility serving a child for whom psychotropic medication is newly prescribed shall ensure that all of the following requirements are met:

(i) A medical evaluation of the child is completed by a physician detailing the reason for the psychotropic medication prescribed. The evaluation or screening shall be documented in the child's record within the first 45 days after the child has first received a psychotropic medication. Subsequent evaluations of the child related to the administration of psychotropic medications shall be completed as recommended by the prescribing physician and the results documented in the child's record.

(ii) The child, if 16 years of age or older, and a parent, or guardian of the child, have signed written consent forms unless psychotropic medications are administered per court order. If the medication is administered per court order, there shall be a copy of the order in the child's record.

(iii) For children in custody of the Agency, the Agency case manager and/or supervisor shall be contacted for consent when a child is prescribed any new psychotropic medication unless the Agency has designated a caregiver to consent on their behalf. In addition, Agency staff shall be consulted and only the case manager and/or supervisor can consent to newly prescribed psychotropic medications when the child is age six or less, the child is prescribed an antipsychotic, or the child is prescribed four or more psychotropic medications.

(4) Psychotropic Medications Emergency Procedures For emergency administration of a psychotropic medication to a child, a facility shall do all of the following:

(a) Have authorization from a physician;

(b) Whenever feasible, obtain written informed consent before using the medication from the child's parent or guardian and legal custodian, if any, and from the child if 16 years of age or older;

(c) If written informed consent of the child's parent or guardian and legal custodian, if any, was not obtained before administration of the medication, notify by phone the parent or guardian and legal custodian if any, as soon as possible following emergency administration, and document the dates, times and persons notified in the child's treatment record;

(d) Document in the child's treatment record the physician's reasons for ordering emergency administration of psychotropic medication.

(5) Refused Medications When a child refuses to take a prescribed psychotropic medication, the facility shall do all of the following:

(a) Document the child's reasons for refusal in the child's record;

(b) Notify the child's physician, the parent or guardian or legal custodian and the child's placing person or agency within 72 hours of the medication refusal. Notification shall be immediate if the child's refusal threatens the child's well-being and safety.

S. Academic and Vocational Training.

(1) The facility shall comply with all state and federal laws regarding education.

(2) Each facility shall be responsible for providing an opportunity for academic training and/or vocational training in accordance with the abilities and needs of the children.

(3) School age children shall be enrolled in school as soon as possible after admission to the facility. The facility shall ensure that each child meets the school attendance requirements unless otherwise excused by school officials.

(4) School attendance shall be in accordance with state law requirements and be in accordance with the ability and best interests of the child.

(5) Facilities providing on-campus educational programs shall meet compulsory education requirements as defined by the South Carolina Department of Education. The education program of choice shall be accredited and provide transferrable Carnegie units.

(6) Educational services provided and documented in each child's record shall include the following:

(a) Placement of the child in an educational program;

(b) Documentation of each child's attendance, courses and grades and academic progress;

(c) Notifying and inviting parents, guardians and placing agency representatives, as appropriate, to attend any school related conferences or events;

(d) Ensuring that any child experiencing difficulty in school is considered for assistance;

(e) Providing each child with structured study time and homework assistance;

(f) Providing opportunities for participation in school related extra-curricular activities.

T. Religion.

Each child shall be provided with opportunities for voluntary religious expression and participation in religious education and attendance at services compatible with the religious preference of the child, or a parent or guardian of the child.

U. Disaster Plans.

(1) Each licensed facility shall file a disaster plan with the Agency that would allow the Agency to identify, locate, and ensure continuity of services to children. A disaster plan shall include all of the following information:

(a) Plans for responding to disasters that may occur in the facility's location to include, but not limited to: hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, earthquakes, chemical emergencies, power outages, wildfires, heat waves, floods and winter storm;

(b) Where facility staff and children would go in an evacuation, including one location in the nearby area and one location out of the area;

(c) A plan for transporting children in case of an emergency;

(d) Phone numbers, electronic mail addresses, and other contact information for the facility staff;

(e) A list of items that the facility staff will take if evacuated, including any medication and medical equipment for children;

(f) Phone numbers the facility will call to check in with the Agency;

(g) Plans for responding to a public health emergency.

(2) A facility shall review the disaster plan on an annual basis to ensure it is current and accurate, document the annual review, and provide any updated documentation to the Agency as part of the annual relicensing requirements.

(3) The facility shall have written procedures for all of the following:

(a) Contacting the Agency, parent, guardian, or legal custodian, and emergency service providers as appropriate, in case of emergency;

(b) Fire safety, evacuation drills and response, including evacuation of children with limited mobility, limited understanding, or hearing impairment in case of fire;

(c) Phone numbers of staff members to be notified in case of an accident, the name, address, and telephone number of each child's health care provider and written consent from the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian for emergency medical treatment shall easily accessible;

(4) In the event of a mandatory evacuation order due to a disaster, children are to be evacuated to a designated shelter or a safe location that is not threatened by the disaster.

V. Critical Incident Reporting.

(1) The Agency considers the following situations to be critical incidents that shall be reported to the placing agency, legal guardian or parent no more than two hours after the incident:

(a) Death of client;

(b) Attempted suicide by client;

(c) Emergency change in placement (e.g. hospitalization, incarceration);

(d) Absence without leave/Runaway.

(2) The Agency considers the following situations to be critical incidents that shall be reported to the placing agency, legal guardian or parent within 24 hours:

(a) Any serious injury or illness;

(b) Suicidal gesture, not life threatening;

(c) Prescription medication error;

(d) Off-site emergency medical treatment;

(e) Off-site emergency medical assessment;

(f) Possession of a weapon;

(g) Possession of an illegal substance;

(h) Removal from school (e.g. suspension, expulsion, homebound);

(i) Report/involvement of an outside regulatory agency;

(j) Placement in seclusion or restraints;

(k) Emergency change in placement;

(l) Attempt to contact prohibited persons and/or contact with person that suggest the potential child/youth has been a victim of sex trafficking.

(3) A facility shall document critical incidents using a critical incident reporting form provided by the Agency and retain one copy in the child's record and a second copy in a comprehensive critical incident log book.

(4) The critical incident documentation must include:

(a) A description of the incident and the circumstances surrounding it;

(b) Details regarding the precipitating factors that may have contributed to the incident;

(c) A description of the behavior management or intervention technique used to de-escalate the resident and the resident's response; as well as

(d) Any other follow-up actions taken;

(e) The appropriate internal and external persons must be notified of the incident, including internal staff, the referring agency, parents or guardians, the regulatory agency, law enforcement, etc. as applicable and these notifications shall also be documented on the critical incident reporting form.

W. Child's Record.

(1) Every facility shall maintain on the premises a confidential (as required by Section 63-7-1990 case record) for each current child stored in a locked or secure area, which may not be disclosed except for purposes directly connected with the administration of the facility or for the care and well-being of a child. The file shall contain the following:

(a) Application for services and an intake study. An application may meet the requirements of the intake study, as specified in Section 114-593(B)(3), if complete;

(b) Voluntary placement agreement or court order or both to clarify who holds physical and legal custody of the child. Group care licensing staff may accept a statement of custody in lieu of court documentation for children in the Agency's custody;

(c) Recent photograph of the child;

(d) Inventory of the child's clothing and other possessions;

(e) A copy of the birth certificate provided by the placing agency;

(f) Authorization for medical treatment signed by placing agency representative, parent or guardian;

(g) Name, address, and telephone number of the person or placing agency and physician to be called in an emergency;

(h) Reports on medical care, medications, immunizations, dental care, and psychological and psychiatric reports, if any are available;

(i) The child's care plan and reviews, if appropriate;

(j) Current record of the child's physical, emotional, social and academic progress in and relationships with family or fictive kin while the child is placed at the facility;

(k) For children in the custody of the Agency, documentation that the designated prudent parent has brought to the child's attention multiple age or developmentally-appropriate activities as required by the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard;

(l) Non-medical signed releases and consents;

(m) Discharge plan in preparation for the child's temporary placement at the facility or a discharge summary if the child is no longer placed at the facility;

(n) Documentation that the placing agency, legal guardian or parent has been informed whenever a child has been involved in a critical incident;

(o) Documentation of critical incidents for all children. This documentation shall be completed as required by agency policy for children in the custody of the Agency;

(p) Any other information as appropriate.

X. Transportation.

(1) The facility shall provide safe transportation of children.

(2) Each staff member or volunteer staff person that transports a child shall be at least twenty-one years of age, have at least one year of experience as a licensed driver, and hold a current and valid driver's license issued by the State in which the staff member resides and for the type of vehicle the staff member drives.

(3) The Vehicles shall be clean, uncluttered, and free of obstructions on the floors, aisles and seats.

(4) Vehicles transporting children must comply with all state and federal laws.

(5) No vehicle shall transport more children than the manufacturer's rated seating capacity.

(6) Staff and children shall wear seatbelts or safety restraints as appropriate for the child at all times when the vehicle is in motion. Safety restraints shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

(7) Use of tobacco products or vaping is prohibited in the vehicle.

(8) Each vehicle shall be equipped with an adequately supplied first aid kit.

(9) At least one occupant shall be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid.

(10) The facility shall have a policy and tentative plan for transporting children in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Y. Tasks.

(1) Assigned tasks shall be appropriate to the age and abilities of the child and assigned for the purpose of training in skills and attitudes and in the proper assumption of personal responsibility.

(2) The facility shall differentiate between tasks of daily living, jobs to earn spending money, and jobs to gain vocational training.

(3) Daily living tasks shall be made known to the child during orientation and the child shall be given some choice in chores with duties that provide a variety of experiences.

(4) The rules related to jobs to earn spending money or gain vocational training shall be made known to all age appropriate children. Opportunities to participate shall be made available in accordance with the child's age and abilities and so as not to interfere with other educational activities.

(5) Children shall not substitute for staff nor regularly perform tasks more appropriately assigned to staff.

(6) The facility shall comply with all child labor laws.

S.C. Code Regs. 114-593

Added by State Register Volume 45, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/28/2021; State Register Volume 47, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/26/2023.