Presenter: DaJari Patterson, MSW Statewide Recruitment and Retention Manager

1. SAFETY AND QUALITY STANDARDS & SUPERVISION AND SAFETY GUIDELINES Presenter: DaJari Patterson, MSW Statewide Recruitment and Retention Manager Presentation to: DFCS and CPA Resource Development Staff Date: December 10, 2013 Georgia Department of Human Services

2. Vision, Mission and Core Values Vision Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia. Mission Strengthen Georgia by providing Individuals and Families access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect Georgia's vulnerable children and adults. Core Values • Provide access to resources that offer support and empower Georgians and their families. • Deliver services professionally and treat all clients with dignity and respect. Manage business operations effectively and efficiently by aligning resources across the agency. • Promote accountability, transparency and quality in all services we deliver and programs we administer. • Develop our employees at all levels of the agency.

3. Policy Overview • 14.01-Safety and Quality Standards (SQS) • 14.18-Supervision of Children • 14.19-Home Safety

4. Safety and Quality Standards (SQS) More than a CHECKLIST

5. PURPOSE OF SQS • Provide quality services that protect the safety and health of the children • Ensure that all approved caregivers and their household members meet the established SQS

6. FULL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS • Noted changes: • Demonstrate the maturity, stability, fitness, skills and competency to successfully protect, nurture and meet the development needs of children • Abstain from the misuse of prescription drugs and alcohol • Be certified in CPR and First Aid prior to approval • Follow the medication management protocol

7. MEDICATION MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL • All children in foster care who are receiving psychotropic medication must be monitored in a manner that ensures their continued safety and well-being. • Informed consent is to be obtained prior to youth taking any new psychotropic medication. • It is important that Division staff, caregivers, and community partners serving children in care understand the psychiatric disorder, available treatment options, possible side effects, and expectations of treatment. • Review medication logs and obtain copies during quarterly visitation. • The Division will provide to each placement provider/caregiver a Medication packet to be used which will include: • DFCS Psychotropic Medication Consent Form • A pre-filled FAX cover page with the contact name and number for designated person/s of consent. • DFCS Medication log form

8. SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN

9. SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN DEFINITIONS • Supervision refers to in-home or out of home, unreimbursed childcare • Occasional Care means care provided once a week or less with no more than three occurrences • Routine Care means care provided more than once a week, usually at designated times • Short Term Care means less than four hours

10. SCREENINGS

11. YOUTH OVER 14 • May be left under their own supervision for short periods of time. • Youth cannot have any mental, physical or emotional issues • Must know emergency process and have emergency contact numbers • Also consider: • Length of time in placement • Judgment and maturity level • Demonstration of dependability, responsibility, and trustworthiness • History of emotional/psychological stability, running away, delinquent behavior, alcohol and substance abuse, and sexual acting out • Number of youth present in the home, gender, relationship with one another • School performance • Safety of the home • Youth’s ability to contact foster parent or emergency contact.

12. Reminders • Help caregivers establish a plan for the care and supervision of children placed in their home • Ensure that substitute caregivers possess the necessary skills to manage the parenting and/or special needs of the child left in their care • Caregivers are not to leave children in DFCS custody under the supervision of anyone under the age of 18. • Make sure that caregivers talk with the child’s casemanager before leaving the child home alone. • Caregivers can be given a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) if there are concerns regarding the level of supervision in the home • Upload all forms into SHINES for substitute caregivers

13. HOME SAFETY

14. DFCS Child Safety Agreement-Form 29 • Signed at the following times • Prior to the approval of the initial assessment • At the annual re-evaluation • Wherever there are child safety concerns • DFCS or foster care policy violations

15. Reminders • Inform caregivers of observed violations of the safety and quality standards • Notify supervisor in writing of violations • Provide follow up to ensure compliance

16. WATER SAFETY • Caregivers should know or learn how to swim. • Complete CPR/First Aid prior to approval • Complete basic water rescue training within 1st year • Children 3 and older must take swimming classes within one year of placement • Swimming pools must meet local/state ordinances • Communication device near pool • Lifesaving and flotation devices near pool • Close adult supervision is mandated • Fence or pool safety cover for inground or above ground pools

17. MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY • Children under 8 must be ride in a federally approved child car seat • Children 12 and under must ride in the rear seat • No child under 18 may ride in the bed of a pickup truck • A waiver is required from the County Director for children who wish to participate in parades, hayrides and similar events • All children should be secured by a safety belt • No child under 12 may be left unattended in a vehicle

18. BICYCLE SAFETY • Helmets must be properly fitted and securely fastened • Helmets are required when operating: • A bicycle • All terrain vehicle (ATV) • Motorbikes • Small motor craft

19. FIREARM SAFETY • Firearms must be kept under lock and key • Added safety-reliable gun safety lock • Ammunition stored separately • Children cannot handle firearms • Youth 13 and older must have successfully complied with all applicable hunting license requirements for Georgia. GA requires a hunter education course for all born after 1/1/61. • County Director or designee must approve • If prior to TPR, parental consent is needed

20. Animal Safety • Refrain from bringing in the house, after approval, any type or breed of animal with a known history of violence and/or aggressive behavior toward people • Animals with a violent or aggressive history must be secured in with a fence, cage or other enclosure • Caregivers must report any acts of violence toward a child or others in the home to the agency immediately

21. FIRE SAFETY • Good safety practice-all homes with gas appliances should have a carbon monoxide detector. • Good safety practice-carbon monoxide detector on the sleeping level of the home. • Working smoke detectors must be installed in the home. Ideally, on each level. • ABC compliant fire extinguisher should be observed in the home prior to approval.