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Home My WebLink About971846.tiffJUN -02-1997 12:45 CHILDREN'S ARK 719 584 9519 P.01 Childrens ARK June 2, 1997 Shari L. Eastin Weld County Planning Fax 970-352-6312 Dear Ms. Eastin To avoid complications at a later date with variance issues. We are requesting that the area for variance use be the south west corner of section 23 (160 acres) instead of previous request in THN-RSSW. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Jay Littlefield, CEO Childrens ARK at Rayner Ranch P.R Bar 497 10930 Head; Anne Green Meemtaitt Fells CO 10819 -)lannl'uci f)ePt' JUN 0 21997 E Thome (719) 684401 Fier. (719) 414-9519 971846 06/02/97 11:41 TX/RX NO.7460 EXHIBIT I UEa-ttsb P.001 • DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES Weld County Administrative Offices, 1400 N. 17th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631 Phone (970) 353-6100, Ext. 3540, Fax (970) 353-6312 USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW APPLICATION Application Fee Paid I I CV . 0O Recording Fee Paid Receipt # Date Application Reviewed by: Receipt# 00'late Date 3-O(v-U'7 APP( A Ss TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT: (Please print or type, except for necessary signature) LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT AREA: (c Qt:..Z3 CJ S 4.4 wX Sec NE JeF Sec.:4(2 PARCEL NUMBER: O S.1L..1 © o Qe_Q,L (12 digit number - found on Tax I.D. Information or obtained at the Assessor's Office. O / S of (¢ Section a T N,'R Sg W- Total Acreage r190O Zone District 4-6) Overlay Zone Iv t) Property Address (if available) 3 a ll)C. (Z *Li .29 /'/E(4) eatumat CO c1O+.'.. /7 Proposed Use SURFACE FEE (PROPERTY OWNERS) OF AREA PROPOSED FOR. THE SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT /� 41-6/Kell / �C Name: Kuv, t4 g �[, '�F Address: O7O (.mss j€z, C,( City/State/Zip:R. /410afike aj Home Telephone: %7-5 O3Business Telephone Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Home Telephone: Business Telephone APPLICANT OR AUTHORIZED AGENT (if different than above) Name: c --Ay k i e77 Address:em- 6OX /Fey City/State/Zip: c qid /id/ rats re" fly Home Telephone: 7/y - S78 2- Business Telephone: 7?-4'gzj"-et( DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES USE ONLY Case # >12 — ) 'So Flood Plain: o Yes o No Geologic Hazard: ❑ Yes o No hereby state that all statements and plans submitted with the application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. 5 Signature: Owner or hor 971845 \b-qt1 EXHIBIT usa_- lisp 11. How many people will use this site? Initially there will be 8 residents with 2 house parents on these 720 acres. The ultimate goal will be to house 24 residents with 4 house parents. There will be other residential/educational staff on grounds during the day. 12. What type and how many animals, if any, will be on this site? The site will remain at its current operation level with animals, which consists of approximately 70 cows and a few horses. From time to time there have been sheep, pigs, chickens, and a dairy barn. 13. What type and how much, if any, operating and processing equipment will be utilized on site. Normal amount of machinery and equipment for dryland farming and cow/calf operation. (Trucks, trailers, tractors, blade machines, drills, etc.). 14. What type and how many structures will be erected (built) on this site? At present none. However, projected construction would consist of two double -wide modulars. 15. What kind (type, size, weight) of vehicles will access this site and how often? Residents will be transported by van and/or cars. Existing farm vehicles and equipment will continue without significant change. 16. Will this site use a septic system or public sewer facilities? Existing septic system. 17. Are you proposing storage or stockpile of wastes on this site? If so, what is the size and type proposed? No 18. How often will debris, junk, or waste be disposed of? By what means? The monthly trash pickup service currently in use will be continued. 19. How long will it take to construct this site and when will construction begin? There will be no exterior construction at this time. There may be some interior remodeling. 20. Explain the proposed landscaping plans and erosion control measures associated with this. There is no proposed landscaping changes and existing erosion control measures will stay in effect. 21. Explain any proposed reclamation procedures when termination of the Special Review use begins. None are proposed. 22. Explain the need for the proposed use (activity) in Weld County. This proposed program is designed to allow us to work closely with Weld County Department of Social Services and they have expressed the need for residential care such as this within the county. 23. Who will provide fire protection for this site? New Raymer fire district. 24. What or who will provide water to this site? On site well - Permit information is enclosed with this application. 25. How will storm water drainage be handled on the site? Existing structures are situated so all water flows away from them. 9718/15 USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE 1. How is this proposal consistent with the Weld County Comprehensive Plan? The Weld County Comprehensive Plan seems to speak to the protection of the Agricultural use of the land. The land used on this site will remain as it has in past years. The residents will only participate in what has always been done on this farm and ranch land. The Comprehensive Plan also seems to speak to the importance of jobs in the county. The care takers of the children housed at the ranch will be employed by Childrens ARK and work along with the Littlefields in their farm and ranch operation. Jay Littlefield is a founding director of Childrens ARK. 2. How does this proposal meet the intent of the zone district it is located in? The purpose of this program is to not only remain constant with the intent of the zoning district but also to train youth in the ecologically sound use of the land. 3. How is this use compatible with future development as stated in Weld County Comprehensive Plan? If yes, How? This program will support the agricultural interests of the area. Without changing the land usage, residents will learn from the existing family farm operation how to manage, monitor, and protect a limited resource. 4. What type of uses surround this site? Is this request compatible with surrounding uses? Agricultural uses completely surround this site. Nothing will change as a result of this special use permit. 5. Is this property located within a Flood Hazard zone, Geologic Hazard zone, or Airport Overlay zone - and does this meet these special requirements? This property is not located within any of the above listed zones. 6. What efforts have been made to conserve productive agricultural land? This program is designed to teach conservation of agricultural land and will not impact, negatively, on the existing agricultural land. 7. How will public health, safety and welfare be protected? All residents will have regular medical checkups, medical/dental care, and current immunizations. These same health standards will be required of all supervising staff In addition, supervisory staff will be highly trained in emergency medical techniques, behavior modification techniques and education. 8. What will the site be used for? A transitional living skills, Residential Child Care Facility for male residents between the ages of 10-18. 9. How close is this site to other residential structures: There are no residential structures within one-half mile of this site. There is a missile control site a little over one-half mile away. 10. How many people will be employed at this site and what hours will they work? The main employees will be one (1) set of house parents. They will be relieved on days off by another set of house parents or staff members. These house parents will be with the residents twenty-four hours a day, except for days off and when relieved by other staff. They will function like a normal family farm and ranch setting. From time to time there may also be an residential assistant in the home with the house parents or a teacher during the academic year (Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). There will be periodic visits from social workers, counselors, and health care workers. Members of the Littlefield family will be there frequently doing farm and ranch work and helping with the boys. See Back for remaining questions. WELD COUNTY ROAD ACCESS INFORMATION SHEET Weld County Public Works Department 933 North 11th Avenue, P.O. Box 758, Greeley, Colorado Phone: (970) 356-4000, Ext. 3750 C Aercdcj€c 1. Applicant Npagqnne Jay /z7 tef/.e(06 i% A_ Phone 7/y (0W— [ Address Yom, b k 5/4 7 City 6B.&a' air' tate Cc Zip &O814 2. Address or location of acess /iMi<3 . CdCa -x`/02.9 44 J, .fit CO Section 023 4 2(p Township ? —N Range SS W L"7 Subdivision Block Lot Weld County Road # /3-9 Side of Road NS r W Distance from & number of intersecting nu Us 4 c[ 51. Chug.![ cam, t47/ 3. Is there an existing access to the property? Yes c-- No o # of accesses 4. Site Sketch: t „ 7 4-- si. Aw t4t *1 5.Proposed use: Permanent Residential/Agricultural Industrial Temporary _ Commercial _ Subdivision _ Other ,Qcc,,- OFFICE USE ONLY Road ADT Date Accidents Date Road ADT Date Accidents Date Drainage Requirement: Culvert Size Length Other Comments: Installation authorized _ Information Insufficient Special Conditions Reviewed by: Title: 971845 March 1,1997 Department of Planning Services Weld County Adm. Offices 1400 N. 17th Avenue Greeley, Colorado 80613 To Whom it may Concern: I authorize my son, Jay Littlefield to use my place for a Residential Child Care Facility in conjunction with my present farm and ranch operations. I authorize him to sign on all necessary paper work. /�Sincereelyy, /1;4144 Kenneth Littlefield 971.8�tw; 15 Maine and Lendyl Walker 14 USA 13 22 USA Ke -th Littlefiet USA '1 USA Suposs Daniel, John, Jesse & Mars Alice Warn 27 USA 34 USA 26 Kenneth LI -field 35 USA Paul G. & Dorthc E. Kugler Ben L. Walker Pats% J. Johnson 36 New Ravmer C R 2 9 State Highway # 14 Kenneth Littlefield 0537-23-000-003 0537-26-000-015 0537-26-000-016 • = House and Yard location There arc no residences within one-half mile of the house and yard. TSN-R58W N t-- WCR #88 971843 septic area Barn Shed Corrals Corrals Quonset Shed W C R 1 2 9 New Rayn r septic area N House and yard are 2 miles north of New Raymer and highway #14. State Highway # 14 Grain Bins 0 0 0 Quonset 971811!5 ■ 4 zQ I J Ai 62 w ..pa Ai...,. -o a-laM 1 z — 971.14 Childrens ARK � Iarnr 1:EE:C;7 Annual Report 1995 to 1997 mitted, Trained and Involved in their Success 97153/!5 Committed, Trained and Involved in their Success Annual Report 1995 to 1997 Childrens ARK Committed, Trained and Involved in their Success is the mission of Ch ARK at Green Mountain Falls, at Brockhurst (Ute Pass), and at Sterling. Th residential Child Care Facilities/Residential Treatment Centers were conceptual and founded by two families, the Littlefields (Linda & Jay) and the Wests (Eric & Ann). Childrens ARK at Green Mountain Falls was the first facility to open its doors male residents, ages 10 to 18 in the fall of 1994. By the late winter of '95 it was eviden need for residential placements exceeded the capacity of the Green Mountain Falls site and additional site, Childrens ARK at Sterling (formerly known as Teen Acres) was purchased. Childrens ARK at Sterling, located in the northeast part of Colorado, houses 36 female residents 10 - 18). By August of 1995 Childrens ARK again went through another growth period when Childrens ARK at Brockhurst was opened. This facility, now known as Childrens ARK at Ute Pass, si 110 acres and houses 40 male residents ages 10 - 18. Childrens ARK at Green Mountain Falls license was switched from males to females and currently houses 22 female residents ages 10 to 18. Corporate activities of Childrens ARK are reported in Section 1.0. Site specific activities of the three Childrens A facilities are classified and reported in the following major areas: Physical Site/Residential Activities, Educationa Activities, Counseling Activities. 1.0 Corporate 2.0 1.1 Board of Directors 1.2 Health Insurance Options 1.3 Personnel 1.4 Exploration of CPA Opportunities 1.5 Budgetary Considerations 1.6 State Inspection of Facilities 1.7 Development 1.8 Production of In -House Training Materials Physical Site/ Residential 2.1 Residential Housing 2.2 Residential Workers 23 Expansion Potentials 2.4 New Resident Staffmgs 2.5 Summer Vacation 2.6 Spiritual Offerings 2.7 Assemblies 2.8 Transportation 2.9 Staff Housing - On Site Options 2.10 Recreation 3.0 Educational 4.0 3.1 Teacher Qualifications 3.2 Curricular Development 3.3 IEP Development 3.4 Coordination with Local Education Agencies 3.5 Coordination with State Education Agency 3.6 Field Trips Clinical 4.1 Counseling Staff 4.2 Residential Treatment Facility Licensure 4.3 Individual Counseling and Record Keeping 4.4 Family Counseling 4.5 Group Intervention and Group Counseling 4.6 Quality Assurance 4.7 Standardization of Documentation 4.8 Psychiatric Innovations 4.9 Medical Office A 971845 Childrens ARK, Inc. 1.0 orpora e Goal: The Corporate Structure of Childrens ARK reflects the philosophy of the Wests and the Littlefields, in that Service is the driving force behind all decisions. A State Licensed, 501(c)3 nonprofit agency, Children ARK has sought to attract profession- als in the child care arena and has then encouraged and empowered them to develop a variety of therapeutic interventions, in an attempt to meet the diverse needs of our residents. Activity 1.1 Board of Directors Develop and maintain a Board of Directors in compliance with 501(c)3 guidelines. And they came two by two... Siftt A Board of Directors for Childrens ARK was first formed in October 1994. Tyler Makepeace, an attorney in Colorado Springs who specializes in family law, was our first chairperson. Jim Sheffer was the Secretary and Frank McVaugh was the original trea- surer. Dr. Terry Rich, a Colorado Springs Dentist, was also on the board. Tyler Makepeace was extremely helpful because of his past experience in agencies such as Chins Up and S.T.A.Y. Jim Sheffer had been a leader in establishing the Brockhurst Boys Ranch program years before and had much experience in Special Education. At this time he was directing the NEEDS program in Colorado Springs and later the Dale House (a Residential child Care Facility emancipation home) in Colorado Springs. Frank McVaugh was a self-employed accountant who, from the beginning, provided direction relative to our finances. Dr. Terry Rich was helpful in areas of Medicaid, as he was one of the few dentists who would treat our residents, and gave us direction in dealing with other Medicaid providers. Each of these men served us well from the start! Towards the end of the first year Marilyn Musgrave (a Colorado State legislator) and Rev. Darrel Madsen (Former District Superintendent of Assemblies of God Rocky Mountain District) were added to the board. These two remain as members today. All the others have since resigned, but remain very supportive and helpful when called upon. Recently we have added Dr. Paul Kieniel, founder and president emeritus of Association of Christian Schools International. Two of the founders of Childrens ARK have also been added to the board: Jay Littlefield and Eric West. 04troi Annual Report Childrens ARK was able to offer Health Insurance to it's employees beginning in February 1996. By year end, we had 64 participating employees. The plan offered was a full coverage HMO/PPO, administered through Mutual of Omaha. Addition- ally, a $15,000 life insurance policy was attached. Childrens ARK's contribution to the cost of coverage was approximately 66%, with the employee contributing 33%. The employee's contribution was made through a company 125 cafeteria plan. This allowed the cost of insurance to be deducted from the "pre-tax" gross amount, thus reducing the taxable income for each employee. Childrens ARK added a full coverage dental plan in July 1996, at no cost to the employee. This was offered through Kansas City Life Insurance Company, and made available to all employees participating in our health insurance plan. Childrens ARK received notification of a proposed 38% increase to take effect on the health insurance policy renewal date in Feb ruar 97. We are, consequently, in the process of soliciting competing bids. Childrens ARK's overriding principle in dealing with children is forgiveness, account- ability, responsibility, and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. We are very selective during the hiring process, given the parameters listed above. The human services field is relatively low paying and given the difficulties involved in dealing with "at risk" youth combined with the educational levels required by the State Department of Hu- man Services, we experience a high turnover rate. Currently, Childrens ARK em- ploys approximately 104 people, with a "full time equivalent" of 96.5. Our payroll department produced roughly 200 W -2s when processing our 1996 year end. Background checks are conducted through the State of Colorado Bureau of Investiga- tion for local residents, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for out-of-state appli- cants. These checks are designed to screen for criminal backgrounds, felony arrests and/or child abuse charges. Additionally, driving background checks, health checks and TB tests are required. All employees are required to sign the following Childress ARK's Policies: Socialization, Discipline, Abuse, and Disclosure. Detailed personnel files which are designed to track all employees from the date of their first application to their termination are maintained. These files are available, upon demand, for State Department reviews. Failure to comply with ARK policies, failure to provide required background information, - or falsification of application information is grounds for termination. For 1997, Jay Littlefield is in the process of developing both internship and volunteer programs. The goal of these programs is to replace 10 to 12 existing positions with either interns or volunteers as no attrition allows. IIrke short term intern positions which the ARK has utilized over the past two years, these positions are designed for year round coverage with people committing for three, six, nine, twelve or fifteen months at a time. Activity 1.2 Health Insurance Provide employees with the option of affordable health, life and dental insurance. Activity 1.3 Personnel Develop a tracking mecha- nism which allows Childrens ARK to evaluate all employ- ees based upon their employ- ment qualifications, educa- tion and their background in compliance with the Colo- rado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care requirements. 971846 Activity 1.4 Child Placement Agency (CPA) Opportunities Explore the feasibility and efficacy of establishing a Childrens ARK CPA Activity 1.5 Budgetary Considerations Monitor, respond and project budgetary issues as they relate to placement revenues and legislative appropriations. Childrens ARK, Inc. Childrens ARK saw the need to start their own CPA following just one year of service. This need was driven by the desire to provide stable foster homes for the children who were transitioning out of the ARK's programs. However, currently there exists confu- sion and conflict caused by political, licensing and funding complications within the State and Counties. And, although these concerns are relative to existing CPA pro- grams, Childrens ARK was informed that it would be next to impossible to become licensed for several years. It was at this point that Childrens ARK started looking for existing CPAs to become aligned with and who we felt would give continued quality care to our residents. Se- rious discussions are currently in progress with one of these agencies. Childrens ARK is aware that continued quality care for our residents as they transition from a more restrictive to a least restrictive environment can produce a greater probability of suc- cess for their lives. 1996-1997 was a transitional year fiscally for Childrens ARK. Childrens ARK was accepted into the Residential Treatment Center (RTC) program. Green Mountain Falls started in January 1996, with Brockhurst following in February and Sterling beginning in April 1996. Under this program our monthly income per RTC child increased from $2,381.00 to $4,118.00 at the Green Mountain Falls and Brockhurst sites. It increased from $2,417.00 to $4,017.00 at the Sterling facility. This had significant impact on our program. It allowed us to add counselors, child care work- ers, some administrative staff, and provided increased psychiatric care as well as filling the much needed position of clinical director. One major concern remains. Under the RTC Medicaid rules, all Federal money must be spent on treatment. No allowance is made for savings or contingencies. Any money not spent or misspent must be returned to Medicaid. Additionally, we have discovered, through many budgetary meetings at the State level, that the State has not developed an auditable program. Because of this Childrens ARK will continue to submit conservative budgets during the annual rate setting periods. Our rates were lowered for the State's fiscal year 1996-97, effective July 1, 1996. Green Mountain Falls and Brockhurst were reduced from $4,118.00 to $3,927.00 and Sterling from $4,017.00 to $3,826.00 per month. We continue to do well at the current funding levels. As 1996 draws to a close, the State Department of Human Services fmds itself under tremendous pressure from the Legislature to lower the cost of out -of -home place- ments. The States budget for 1996-97 was $39,000,000.00. It appears that this will be short by approximately $18,000,000.00. Childrens ARK, along with many other RTC's, Shelters, and State Representatives, have been involved in meetings intended to solve this problem. To date, these meetings appear to be going nowhere. Childrens ARK remains very concerned over the fiscal future of out -of -home placements. We are looking closely at our current financial position as it relates to probable cuts in income for the fiscal year 1997-98. 971845 Annual Report During the first calendar year Childrens ARK was inspected by a representative of the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care, on a monthly, surprise basis. During these visits personnel records were monitored, staffing pat- terns observed, emergency procedures tested, housing accommodations measured and reviewed, kitchens monitored, classrooms observed and general operating proce- dures evaluated. The State was very complimentary concerning ourprogram at Green Mountain Falls. Later, when Children ARK acquired Brockhurst and Teen Acres at Sterling, we received inspections and licensure for those facilities. Following similar programmatic criteria established first at the Green Mountain Falls site, these pro- grams also fared well with State reviews. At the beginning of 1996, when Childrens ARK began the process of applying for RTC status, we were assisted, guided and checked by Craig Hamilton from the Colo- rado Department of Mental Health. Mr. Hamilton has visited each of the three Childrens ARK sites and basically monitors each resident's clinical file assuring the quality and documentation of all treatment issues. Energies spent in the arena of developing strong community and philanthropic ties are crucial to the successful growth of a 501(c)3 not -for-profit agency such as Childrens ARK. Different mechanisms are being used to communicate Childrens ARK's growth, mission and needs to interested individuals and groups. A general information newsletter was first published in the Spring/Summer of 1996, and continues to be published on a quarterly basis. Focusing on Administrative goals, program needs, the ARK's teaching model, education and activities at all three sites, this newsletter is mailed to over 500 individuals, churches and service organizations. Childrens ARK at Sterling was the recipient of a "matching grant" from the Coors Family Foundation in the amount of $24,000 for the construction of a new adminis- trative center. Darrel Madsen, Chairman of Childrens ARK's Board, coordinated the fund-raising drive to match these funds and within the past several months the goal has been met, in large part based on a $12,000 grant from the Boettcher Foundation. Plans are currently underway for the new building. Activity 1.6 State Inspection Maintain each facility and their records in such a manner as to be ready for RCCF and/or RTC inspec- tions. Activity 1.7 Development Explore options for accessing the philanthropic community within the State of Colorado. 971846 Activity 1.8 Production of In -House Training Materials Provide in-depth training materials which focus on the required skills for Child Care Workers. Childrens ARK Inc. For the fast year of operation training materials purchased from Boys Town were extensively used. Crucial to the early success experienced at Childrens ARK was programming patterned on the book Effective Skills for Child -Care Workers - A Training Manual from Boys Town, written in 1994 by Tom Dowd, J. Douglas Czyz, Susan E. O'Kane and Amy Elofson. While providing a solid foundation for all child care workers, this training focused on the "essential components of family - style nurturing, behaviorally based instruction and training". A synopsis of this book was provided to all employees and was used extensively in training sessions, with much emphasis placed on effective praise, corrective teaching, general preventative procedures and helpful social skills to teach youth. As the resources and experience of ARK personnel expanded, a teaching model consisting of a somewhat eclectic compilation of many contributors to whom we are grateful, came into use. Although it might be simpler to use only one model, Childrens ARK found that in order to provide the best treatment for both boys and girls, and respecting the different ages we treat, a variety of treatments and ideas were needed. Resources are the name of the game. We want to remain on the cutting edge in adolescent treatment, and so other models and theories have been incorporated. While retaining the Boys Town teaching models, positive techniques, social skill materials and manuals that teach staff how to deal with problems such as aggres- sion and sexual acting out in adolescents; we have added the Positive Peer Model which is built around 10 basic assumptions. 1. The power of peers vs. the power of adults, 2. The power of giving vs. the power of receiving, 3. The power of the convert vs. the power of the regular, 4. Adults as initiators and facilitators vs. adults as reactors, 5. The total reversal of responsibility, 6. Demanding greatness vs. demanding obedience, 7. Anxiety as a motivator for change vs. anxiety as a problem to alleviate, 8. Problems as opportunities vs. problems as crises, 9. The here and now vs. then and there, and 10. Trust vs. confrontation. With its unique group emphasis and peer control, the Positive Peer Culture has been very effective with our youth. Recovery remains a major goal in the Childrens ARK model. Childrens ARK believes in Unconditional Love as it relates to all human beings. This is an overriding spiritual and philosophical principle of our Model. This great principle also implies "forgiveness" which we find to be very necessary in the recovery of our youth. Unconditional love, forgiveness, and starting over allows space for healing in the Childrens ARK environment. Children are not only encouraged to do this from a psychological model, but a spiritual model of their choice or denomination. The concepts of these models, in addition to resource enrichment materials, have been provided to all employees with training conducted on a monthly basis. New employees are taken page by page through the training manual and discussion is encouraged relative to how to meet the needs of our residents. 97184.5 Annual Report The original Childrens ARK at Green Mountain Falls site is located in the town of Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, 12 miles west of Colorado Springs. Nestled on 2.5 acres of evergreen trees on the side of the mountain, this campus is a peaceful setting for our residents to work on their issues while enjoying hiking trails, accessing the local towns park facilities and experiencing rich field trip opportunities Originally housing male residents, the Green Mountain Falls campus now houses 22 females. Childrens ARK at Sterling is located 5 miles northwest of Sterling in northeast Colo- rado. The campus, consisting of 37 acres, is situated in a rural community setting and has three separate residences housing our 36 children and their house parents. A tennis/basketball-court, swimming pool, volleyball court, and softball field provide excellent recreational opportunities providing a solid counter balance to the educa- tional and counseling programs which involve each and every child. Childrens ARK at Brockhurst, situated on 110 acres of gently rolling hills and for- ested hillsides, is home to 40 boys. Stand alone chalets, administrative buildings, and recreational facilities including basketball courts, volleyball courts, football/soc- cer courts, hiking trails and a ROPES course create a rich and varied physical land- scape for our residents to live and grow. Just 16 miles west of Colorado Springs this campus retains a rustic environment for young men to mature and spiritually grow. Childrens ARK at Green Mountain Falls has four main structures: 1) the main lodge building consists of 7 offices, a conference/dining room, kitchen, living room and 4 bedrooms which house three of our on site staff, 2) the "upper" residential lodge that houses 3 staff and 10 of our female residents currently in treatment. Staff and resi- dent living quarters are completely separate with no adjoining doors. Residential quarters consist of one bedroom housing 4 residents with their own full bath, another bedroom and full bath for 3 residents and a third bedroom and full bath for the re- maining 3 residents, 3) the "lower" residential lodge has two floors that are identical in plans, a bedroom on either side of a full bath. Each bedroom house 3 residents. There are, therefore, 6 girls to a floor and 12 girls to a this cabin. and 4) The "living lodge" is the final building where our girls experience most of their on -grounds ac- tivities. This large building contains a commercial kitchen, dining area, two separate living areas for the girls activities and two classrooms. This building also has a counseling wing with 4 office spaces for clinical therapy. Childrens ARK at Brockhurst has four separate living chalets with identical layouts. Each chalet houses a maximum of 12 boys in four bedrooms, which are located on a second balcony level. There is also a full time counselor's office within the chalet, an educational/staff office area, and a large living room for the boy's daily activities. A separate building houses a commercial kitchen and dining hall on the ground floor and administrative offices on the upper floor. On the far side of the Brockhurst facility is a log cabin chapel, the site director's house and an administrative building housing the personnel and business functions for the Childrens ARK facilities. Childrens ARK at Sterling consists of three separate houses staffed with house par- ents. Two houses are equipped to accommodate 11 girls each and one accommodates 14 girls. Most of the rooms are double occupancy, with a few single and a few triple occupancy. Each house has a separate apartment for house parents and a small effi- ciency apartment for relief house parents. 2.0 Physical Site Residential Goal: To accommodate the unique richness of each physical location of Childrens Ark in implementing behavior modification programs for at risk youth. Activity 2.1 Residential Housing Provide housing accommoda- tions consistent with section 7.705.52 of the Colorado Department of Human Services rules regulating residential child care facili- ties. 971.841t5 Childrens ARK, Inc. Activity 2.2 Residential Workers Staff qualified residential workers who have rich educational and experiential backgrounds to provide our residents with diversity and strong adult supervision. Activity 2.3 Expansion Potentials The growth potential of each site remains a critical component of effective management of Childrens ARK. This growth also affects programmatic decisions which impact our children. Since Childrens ARK is a 7 day a week, 24 hour a day program, there are significant staff demands in order to provide the guidance, leadership, and supervision required. The State of Colorado requires a staff to student ratio of 1 staff member to 10 children during waking hours, and 1 staff member to 20 children during sleeping hours. The Childrens ARK administration feels that this is inadequate to meet the needs of the significantly challenged children we treat and therefore have maintained a minimum of 2 staff members to 10 children during waking hours and 1 staff member to 10 children during sleeping hours. More than 85% of all Childrens ARK residential employees have a minimum of a Bachelors degree or the equivalent of education and work experience. Shifts are 8 hours in length (although it is not uncommon to fmd residential workers putting in overtime to document the events of the day and/or process a child's issues with other residential workers). Residential workers are ex- pected to provide a strong adult role model, provide training and support as residents learn to work with others while learning to work through their own problems. Childrens ARK at Sterling employes a primary set of houseparents for each resi- dence. On their days off the houses are staffed with shift workers. All residential employees are required to receive CPR/First Aid training, Medication Certification training, and Cornell Passive Physical Restraint training. Weekly staff meetings in- clude training updates as well as information dissemination. Prior to being hired Residential workers are required to submit fingerprint cards, have health checks, TB tests and provide transcripts with references. In support of the staffed residential workers, there is a minimum of an additional 5 certified staff available on grounds 24 hours a day to meet emergency needs. Chidrens ARK at Green Mountain Falls was originally licensed for 20 residents. This license was increased to 22 residents during the early part of 1997. There was a drop in resident population during the summer of 1996 when the site was changed from male to female residents; however, since August 1996 the site has maintained a full population. Due to its physical layout, acreage, and zoning constraints this facility is not able to expand past its current license. Childrens ARK at Sterling is licensed for 36 girls, ages 9-18. The average popula- tion over the past 6 months has been 30 and is remaining relatively stable. Addi- tional buildings could be constructed on Sterling's 37 acres as the need for growth arises. Childrens ARK at Brockhurst was originally licensed to house 32 residents. In the early part of 1997 this license was expanded to accommodate 40 residents. The population is relatively constant at 40; however, it has fluctuated to as low as 38 and will typically drop during the summer months. Brockhurst has the capacity to house many more residents in the future depending on projected building growth. Currently new Childrens ARK programs are being discussed. Transition/Emanci- pation programs, vocational programs to name a few. The fact that Childrens ARK still turns referrals away due to a lack of space should concern us all. We are, however, aware that we cannot solve all of the problems of the modern family and will, to the best of our ability, continue to expand our facilities to provide loving, Ihhia stable, therapeutic environments for Colorado children. 971545 Annual Report Each Childrens ARK facility has a slightly different staffing process. At the Green Mountain Falls site the Site Director and the Clinical Director meet every Tuesday morning to staff new referrals. If other administrative staff are available they are encouraged to attend and if questions arise relative to the suitability of the candi- date, the intake packet is processed through the entire administrative team prior to a decision being made. At the Sterling facility, an admissions board meets to staff new referrals. This board includes the Site Director, Clinical Director, Educational Director and the Supervisor of Residential Care. At the Brockhurst facility, staffmgs occur every Thursday and consist of the Site Director, Assistant Site Director and Clinical Director. Since August of 1995 Childrens ARK has staffed over 235 boys, and although all have not been suitable for placement, a good number of these boys have spent time with us. Although emergency placements are considered, these candidates must meet the same criteria as a regular placement and there must be an existing opening to accommodate them. Following the initial review of the child's file, a pre -place- ment interview is done (preferably in person, but sometimes by phone). If the general consensus is that the child fits the existing milieu the decision will be made to accept for treatment. In general, Childrens ARK does not accept candidates who are known to be "fire -setters", if they are currently chemically dependent or if they are known to be "sexual predators". Childrens ARK does take children with significant psychological disorders and who have exhibited severe social maladap- tive behaviors. Every summer has, thus far, been an experiment in programming. Following the first summer experience, during which time Childrens ARK residents were given significant "free" time, it was discovered that our children need significantly more structure than children who are not in placement. The desire is to maintain an enriched environment, that is significantly different from the academic years activities, so that all residents become engaged in "fun" learning. In the past the children have been offered incentives such as the "Buck a Book Club" (where they were financially rewarded for reading), they have been involved in designing and creating a quilt which visually represented some of their life experiences, they have been taken rock climbing, have used a ROPES courses, and have been taken swimming and hiking. The 1997 summer is being designed around Colorado History. The summer will be divided into three segments (with a break between each to accommodate home passes). The courses will entail arts, crafts, music, dancing and field trips, all of which will revolve around early settlers and native American culture. Some of the activities include making patchwork quilts, pioneer dolls, trips to gold mines, making teepees, and churning butter. In addition, the Green Mountain Falls site will use gardening as therapy and the girls will be shown how to plan, plant and harvest their very own vegetable garden. Activity 2.4 New Resident- Stallings Develop a mechanism which fairly and without discrimina- tion evaluates placement of potential residents. Activity 2.5 Summer Vacation Provide programmatic guidelines which support the ongoing academic enrichment of Childrens ARK residents throughout the summer months. L4 • 971.!6'". Activity 2.6 Spiritual Offerings Provide the opportunity for spiritual growth and explora- tion in a nondenominational setting Activity 2.7 Assemblies Initiate organized group time which allows recognition of staff and students who have made significant contributions to the ARK and to their own growth. Childrens ARK, Inc. The Childrens ARK is an organization which is based upon the strong belief that all children need unconditional love. A chaplain is on staff and available to all residents in times of emotional and/or spiritual need. The chaplain is also available to the residents should they have questions they wish to be answered relative to faith in their life. Nondenomina- tional vespers are offered weekly and the residents have the choice of attending or not. No form of religious beliefs and/or practices are mandated or forced upon a resident, and every effort is made to take children to the local church of their choice, if they choose not to attend church on site. Green Mountain Falls chapel is located in the main lodge of their facility and interdenominational vespers are held on Sunday mornings There are also weekly Bible Studies available, to those children who choose to attend. Brockhurst has a log cabin chapel on its grounds that offers Sunday Services and 4 weekly Bible Studies for the children. Sterling offers chapel on campus and willingly transports children to the church of their choice (as long as sponsors can be lined up for appropriate supervision). In addition to providing spiritual support to all residents, Childrens ARK offers two weekly devotions for any staff member wishing to participate. Unique to each site, assemblies have become an important part of each residents program. At Childrens ARK Brockhurst assemblies are held monthly and every child is given an award for some particular accomplishment. The award may focus on academic work, social work or a resident's particularly strong efforts relative to thera- peutic issues. The point being that all children deserve rewards and awards for growth and something positive can be found in each child, regardless of the severity of their personal issues. The Green Mountain Falls facility has monthly awards held the second Wednesday of each month. The girls are divided into two "families" which coincide with their classroom assignments, their recreation and their socialization. At the awards assem- bly each classroom presents academic awards, each family group staff presents dif- ferent awards to the girls in their group for achievements. Again the effort is to provide recognition to all of the residents. The girls are also awarded $1.00 per book they have read and a resident of the month is selected. At each Childrens ARK site, staff of the month are also selected (by staff vote). This individual is awarded $50.00 cash as thanks for their outstanding service. Childrens ARK at Sterling conducts regular award ceremonies to recognize achieve- ment and positive progress in residents academic and residential functioning Re- wards include certificates, special outings, and tangible gifts. 97184 Annual Report Activity 2.8 Transportation is provided by the Childrens ARK ensuring that each resident's treatment plan can be implemented. Licensed, insured and well maintained vehicles are available for the transportation of a resident in case of emergency. All vehicles used in transportation of residents are properly licensed, are main- tained in conformity with all applicable motor vehicle laws, are enclosed, provided with door locks, and are equipped with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher. All staff members or other persons who act on behalf of Childrens ARK and who operates a vehicle for the purpose of transporting children are properly licensed to operate that class of vehicle in accordance with applicable laws. Under no circumstances are residents of the Childrens ARK allowed to drive, move or park an ARK vehicle. The fact that many of the ARKs residents have been sexually abused necessitates that the staff make every effort possible to assure the resident feels safe and comfortable in every setting possible, including transportation. This is especially the case when a male staff member is transporting a female resident and/or when a female staff member is transporting a male resident. All Childrens ARK sites transport their residents to the doctors, dentists, court, recreation activities, field trips, and on home passes. There are also several families of Childrens ARK residents who do not have transportation of their own, so we provide transportation for them, to and from the local bus station in Colorado Springs, for family therapy and family visits. Childens ARK offers some on -site housing options for select staff. Benefits of this service are felt by both resident and staff, in that residents have an added feeling of security with staff residing on grounds, on -call staff do not have a long commute if needed, and in an emergency situation on grounds staff can fill in until substitute staff can be called in. This option is not available to all staff, and of those who apply, only a select few are accepted. They are not charged rent; however, they do provide specific services beyond the normal job description. It is important to note that residents are never allowed in the staffs quarters and good boundaries are maintained. Transportation Provide transportation services to all residents to accommodate court, medical, and family counseling appointments as well as home visits. Activity 2.9 Staff Housing - On Site Options Accommodate the needs of staff for temporary and/or long term housing on site. 971845 Activity 2.6 Recreation Develop recreational opportu- nities which allow residents to develop healthy physical bodies and improved self esteem. Childrens ARK, Inc. On a weekly basis all of the residents of Childrens ARK at Brockhurst are allowed one trip to the YMCA and one paid activity (such as to a movie, roller skating, or a special event). This is an essential component of the Childrens ARK program. In addition, residents are encouraged to participate in cardio vascular activities during the week and on weekends (such as hiking, fishing, swimming, basketball, volley- ball, or swimming, to name a few). Other activities include: Arts and Crafts, Weight Training (w/ spotter), Pool, Jogging, Table Games, Foosball, Catch, and Aerobics. All recreational activities are under the supervision of a Recreation Coordinator. All recreational activities are evaluated periodically to assess their effectiveness, since they are a prescribed component of each child's treatment plan. • 97i846 Annual Report The Childrens ARK on -grounds schools, at Ute Pass, Green Mountain Falls, and Sterling provides our students the opportunity to continue their required educational program while they intensely work on the emotional/behavioral goals which have been outlined for their treatment program. For students with Special Education needs, who may be delayed in some or all academic areas, our teachers provide the instruc- tion needed to attempt to remediate these areas. For students with regular education needs, we attempt to challenge the student, while providing the instruction necessary to obtain academic credits. The goal for all students is to successfully transition back into a public school program with the academic and emotional skills needed to com- plete their education. Students who are emancipating from our program are given the option to study for and complete the GED test. Some of them do not have the required number of credits to be able to graduate from their home school district. The GED provides them the feeling of accomplishment at finishing while receiving a certificate and hopefully allowing them to go on to another phase of their lives. According to the requirements outlined by the Colorado Department of Education, teachers need to hold a Colorado Master's level teaching certification in Special Edu- cation or they need to obtain a Temporary Teaching Certification (1 fE) while they are working towards completion of the Colorado Master's level program. Of the six teachers currently employed at the Ute Pass and Green Mountain Falls facility, four of them hold Master's degrees and three are working on TM programs. All teachers receive weekly supervision with the Educational Director to address concerns regarding individual students, curriculum, programming, paperwork, etc. In addition to this, all Master's level teachers need to complete an annual portfolio to include professional goals and accomplishments. These are completed according to CDE requirements with the supervision of the Educational Director. Assistant Teachers/Teacher Aides are hired at a ratio of 1.5 per each classroom. They are encouraged to hold at least a bachelor's degree in a related area. Teaching assis- tants are actively involved in the educational program, work one-on-one with stu- dents, receive weekly supervision, and are encouraged to take an active role in the entire educational process. 3M Educational Goal: To provide appropriate educational opportunities which meet the special needs of Children ARK's residents Activity 3.1 Teacher Qualifications Hire Colorado certified special education teachers. 971.545 Childrens ARK, Inc. Activity 3.2 Curricular Development Construct flexible multi - modal curriculum to meet varying needs of residents. Activity 3.3 IEP Development Provide for annual and triennial development of Individualized Education Plans for each special needs student. The Childrens ARK School has attempted to construct a flexible, multi -modal cur- riculum to meet the varying needs of the students. Academic levels of our students range from Kindergarten through high school, so a varying array of materials are needed. This has been difficult due to the initial limited budget for curriculum mate- rials. Most of our textbooks have been donated by school districts or individuals who have been aware of our academic needs. At the beginning of the 1996-97 school year, the money budgeted for curricula went towards the purchase of new math textbooks and science materials. The team de- cided that these were our greatest need areas, and the teachers worked together to decide which materials could be adapted to use by the greatest number of students. Sample books were ordered and reviewed by all teachers before a selection was made. Overall, teachers have been creative in the use of recycled materials and selective in purchasing new items. Books and materials are shared between class- rooms as well as between sites, as needed. We plan to continue to develop our curriculum each year. We are planning to focus on expanding our Reading and Lit- erature materials for the 1997-98 school year. O *: It is the responsibility of the Childrens ARK school staff to maintain and follow existing IEP's (Individualized Education Plans) for those students identified with special education needs, and to provide for annual as well as triennial reviews for those students as needed. Most Special Education students do come into placement with a current IEP. If they do not, it is our responsibility to obtain or develop a usable IEP within 20 days of placement. This includes conducting academic, behavioral or social/emotional as- sessments as needed. On each students annual review date, we are required to plan a meeting to review the needs of the student as outlined on the IEP and develop a new IEP for the current year. Parents, caseworkers, school district personnel, Childrens ARK school staff, residential staff, and counseling staff (in addition to the resident if appropriate) are all invited to this meeting. Every three years a triennial staffing must be completed for all Special Education students, and this must include complete retesting in educational, psychological, speech/language, health, and social/emotional areas. A triennial staffing is a time to redetermine if a student still meets the criteria for a handicapping condition. Childrens ARK is responsible for completing all as- sessments, but only the hone school district can determine, or redetermine handicap- ping conditions. All of the previously mentioned people are invited to the triennial meeting as well. If a child comes into our program without a handicapping condition and we believe he or she may meet the requirements for one, we can conduct an initial staffing. The procedure is the same as the one followed for a triennial staffing. 971.846 Annual Report Activity 3.4 When students are placed at Childrens ARK, it is the responsibility of the caseworker to initially notify the home school district of the placement. We then send a follow- up notice to the school district in order to verify the information and to request school records. Prior to placement, the district is also asked to provide information regard- ing a school contact person, as well as the person to contact regarding financial re- sponsibility for the child's educational program. If a child is identified as a Special education student, we send a contract for excess costs for the remainder of the school year. Excess educational costs are obtained only for students identified as Special Education. This contract will be approved by the school district board, signed and returned to us. The contract states that the district is agreeing to pay Childrens ARK for the monthly educational services pro- vided for that student. This excess cost rate is determined for each facility by the Colorado Department of Education each year, based on the services and staff pro- vided in the program. Bills are sent to the districts monthly. Throughout the placement, we keep the school district informed of the students aca- demic progress by a quarterly report card. Teachers and the Educational Director are also available to answer questions as needed. When a student leaves our program, we send a notice to the home school district noting the date that the student was withdrawn from our program. We pull together records and a sample of student academic work from the student's academic portfo- lio. This material is then sent to the new placement when records are requested. 4 y The Childrens ARK school is licensed through the Colorado Department of Educa- tion. The main contact person for the Ute Pass and Green Mountain Falls facilities is Kama Linscome who is available to answer questions and offer support as needed. This Department of Education representative is also responsible for auditing the Edu- cation files (which are maintained on each student according to the standards deter- mined by the Colorado Department of Education) as well as reviewing the licensure and certification of our teaching staff. The Colorado Department of Education also provides two annual Directors Meetings in Denver to keep facilities informed of any new information which would affect us directly. It is the Childrens ARK's responsibility to attend these meetings and/or obtain the information disseminated in order to keep our facilities current. Coordination with Local Education Agencies Develop mechanism to receive information from and to disseminate information to respective school districts in an attempt to facilitate the smooth transition of students to and from the ARK. emisessigi Activity 3.5 Coordination with State Education Agency Maintain open communica- tion with the Denver Depart- ment of Education to con- tinue the ARKs license. 9718r) Children ARK, Inc. Activity 3.6 Field Trips Provide educationally, culturally, and socially challenging field trips for all residents. At Childrens ARK, field trips are generally conducted in order to enhance the aca- demics provided daily in the classroom or to provide incentive to the group to work together to accomplish a group goal. Each of the Ute Pass and Green Mountain Falls classrooms are permitted to have two field trips per month and these must be sched- uled at least one week in advance in order to coordinate transportation, counseling, medication, finances and food. A field trip request form must be filled out, outlining all the specifics of the trip, as well as the purpose and the staff responsible for super- vising the trip. Plans for students not attending the trip also need to be made in advance. Teaching staff usually have specific expectations for behavior prior to the field trip. Students who have lost all of their privileges or who have not completed weekly assignments are not permitted to attend the trip. All trips are conducted during school time. Some of the field trips taken over the past 7 months include the following: Air Force Academy Tour Air Force Academy Planetarium Peterson Air Force Base Olympic Training Center Pikes Peak Library Canon City Prison Denver Museum of Natural History - China Exhibit Cave of the Winds Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Pioneer's Museum Florrisant Fossil Beds Crystal Peak - Geology Trip Bear Creek Nature Center McAllister House Museum Garden of the Gods - Hiking Mollie Kathleen Mine in Cripple Creek Lake George - Hiking and Fishing 971845 Annual Report Quality on -site therapeutic services are an essential component of the services a child receives at Childrens ARK. Clinical services include individual, group and family counseling, case management, crisis intervention and psychiatric evaluation and regular medication management. Therapeutic services are provided in coordination with the child's residential and educational services, with intensive communication among these groups. Therapists focus on helping the child deal with past traumatic experi- ences, while also holding them accountable for present behaviors. Emphasis is placed on giving the child the skills to succeed within the Childrens ARK program, at home with their families or in other less restrictive placements. Masters level and higher therapists and Masters level interns provide a minimum of weekly individual therapy and a minimum of biweekly clinical group therapy. Family therapy is a primary value and is scheduled according to the individualized needs of families. Communi- cation and coordination with family and all agencies involved in the child's treatment is seen as a vital aspect of care. All therapeutic services are driven by an individual- ized treatment plan completed shortly after the child arrives at Childrens ARK. This plan specifically identifies areas of concern, specific goals and the objectives to ac- complish these goals. Therapists have a Masters Degree or are actively pursuing a Masters with an accred- ited program. Degree areas include Social Work, Counseling and Psychology. All therapists are supervised regularly by a Masters level, Colorado licensed, Clinical Director. The Clinical Director provides oversight to therapists regarding clinical services and documentation. Therapists carry a caseload of approximately 8 to 10 clients each, full time. The Green Mountain Falls facility currently has one full time therapist, one 3/4 time therapist and two to three Masters level residential staff carrying a few clients. This site lost one full time therapist during the past calendar year and the position was replaced. The Brockhurst facility currently has four full time and one part-time therapists. Childrens ARK at Sterling has three full time and one part-time therapists. 4.0 Clinical Goal: To provide professional counseling services to all residents both individually and within the group arena. Activity 4.1 Counseling Staff Hire professional therapists who meet the educational and professional criteria for Residential Treatment Centers. 971.846 Activity 4.2 Qualifications for Residential Treatment Facility Licensure Meet all documentation, tracking, & therapeutic criteria for RTC status. Activity 4.3 Individual Counseling and Record Keeping Provide weekly counseling sessions for each resident with all associated documentation on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis. Childrens ARK, Inc. Childrens Ark accomplished Residential Treatment Center (RTC) licensure for the Green Mountain Falls facility in January 1996 and for the Brockhurst site in February 1996. Therapists and staff completed bringing the clinical arena up to RTC require- ments during the initial months of 1996. This included: instituting weekly indi- vidual counseling and at least biweekly groups for all residents and approximately bimonthly family therapy for residents with discharge plans involving family reunifi- cation, meeting RTC documentation requirements and improving the overall quality of charting with monthly internal quality assurance reviews. RTC licensure for Sterling was then accomplished in April of 1996 and a uniformity of reporting forms, clinical charting, quality assurance and required documentation has been maintained between all three sites. Prior to the establishment of RTC status, both counseling and clinical record keeping were completed on an "as needs be" basis, leaving significant room for miscommuni- cation. Therapists could carry caseloads consisting of as many as 15 residents with primarily crisis management responsibilities. Groups were periodic and there was little family therapy. The records each therapist kept were not standardized and some kept only personal notes for their own use. Therapists now provide individual and group counseling on a weekly basis and bi- monthly family therapy. Residential and educational staff also complete documenta- tion daily in a weekly chart, thus facilitating communication and coordination of services. These records are organized and maintained in two separate files on each resident: an active/weekly file kept in a secure locked location on the unit and a comprehensive permanent file, containing all prior and current records on the resi- dent, kept in a local location in the central administration building. Current clinical forms include a 72 -Hr. Assessment and Initial Case Service Plan (ICSP) completed shortly after the child's arrival, a weekly chart for interdisciplinary daily documentation on progress and services, and monthly and quarterly reports regarding the child's progress relative to their own specific goals and objectives iden- tified in the Case Service Plan. Included in the 72 -Hr. and the ICSP is a diagnoses from the DSM IV. This diagnoses is required so that all appropriate documentation can be submitted to the State regulatory agency which determines a child's eligibility for RTC status. Childrens ARK staff psychiatrist provides an initial assessment and progress notes regarding medication administration and management. These records are carefully reviewed by other clinical staff to insure coordination of services. Upon discharge from the facility, therapists insure good continuity of care by com- pleting a Discharge Summary that can be released to the new placement and releas- ing necessary psychiatric records for the person or agency assuming responsibility for the child's medication management. The resident's permanent records are then kept locked in a "closed" file for 10 years past the residents 18th birthday at which time they are shredded. 971.`346 Annual Report Activity 4.4 Family counseling is seen as a critical component of treatment for those children who will be reunified with families after discharge or where the goal is to strengthen family bonds, even though reunification is not an immediate option. The goal is to address the dynamics that led to the necessity of placement and, when reunification is planned, insure success at discharge. Frequency of sessions are determined on an individualized basis, but are typically bimonthly. Frequency of family sessions may increase just prior to discharge and reunification. Therapeutically, it is most benefi- cial to time family sessions immediately prior to or following a home pass when issues involving the child, family members and parenting are fresh. Family therapy sessions are generally held on site in the child's residential environment to best ad- dress issues of the child's current functioning and the relationship to problems which may have existed in the home environment. In addition, these sessions can be some of the most emotional, triggering therapy the child receives. Back up from other staff is available should these reactions become to difficult for the child to handle. Occasionally the family is not able to travel to the facility for a family session, so the counselor accommodates the family by transporting the resident to their home for a family therapy session and homepass, or by having telephone conference on the speaker phone prior to having the resident return home for a homepass by bus. Clinical groups are provided by therapists on a minimum of biweekly. In addition to a standing life history group, each residents attends a second topical group on an 8 to 10 week rotation. Topics for this rotational group include: anger management, self esteem, post traumatic stress disorder , family dynamics, impulse control, drug and alcohol abuse addiction, gang involvement, dealing with change and a variety of other topics. Group size is kept to 10 or less to facilitate interaction. Counselors document in the residents charts their involvement in groups, evaluating the child's attentiveness in group, their feedback to peers, if they discussed personal issues, and how they progressed towards their own personal treatment goals. Spontaneous process groups are also held throughout the day to deal with issues in the milieu as they arise. These groups are designed to encourage peer behavior moni- toring and peer support among the residents. These groups are kept brief and issue specific, with the goal of immediate problem solving by the group in an atmosphere of care and concern. At times residents are excused from attending a group because they are too volatile and attending would not benefit the child or their group. Family Counseling Provide opportunity for family counseling (in person and/or by phone) when in the resident's best interest. Activity 4.5 Group Intervention and Group Counseling Provide an interactive environment in which residents can process their issues in a therapeutic setting. Childrens ARK, Inc. Activity 4.6 Quality Assurance Quality assurance standards and guidelines will be met and maintained by professional clinical staff. On a monthly basis, client charts at each site are randomly. selected by the Clinical Director for mtemal review of content and quality. Following is an overview of the materials checked: Section I Person Viewing Chart Sign Off Sheet Intake Information Form Personal Belongings Inventory Approved contact List 1st Contact Referral Form Initial Placement Agreement Form RTC Certificate SS 23A Contract 2 Photos Second Page of Client's Rights Form Appropriate Releases Permission For Physical Restraint Permission for Picture Permission for Field Trip Educational Releases Birth Certificate Social Security Number Case Management Correspondence Section 2 Pre -Admission -Date Chronologically Section 3 Weeklies (Most Recent on Top) Misc. Info. Completed by Resident (Ex. Joumaling, drawing, letters, etc.) Revised ITP Quarterly Reviews Timeliness of Documentation: Have the following reports: the 72 Hour, ICSP, RCSP, Weeklies, Monthlies, Quarterlies, been completed at the appropriately scheduled intervals? Signatures: Have all signatures been obtained on all necessary documents, particularly the resident's signature? Coordination of Treatment: Do Weekly Progress Notes by all staff, Monthlies and Quarterlies reflect progress on goals in the ICSP/RCSP? Ongoing Review & Modification of Treatment: Has the ICSP been revised in response to any changes; for example: significant progress, a change of diagnosis, inappropriate goals, a change in family involvement, a transfer between Childrens ARK facilities or a hospital- ization? Psychotropic Medication Coordination with Treatment: Do the 72 Hour and the ICSP/ RCSP address justification diagnostically for any previous or current medications the child is taking? Is medication management of a specific medication listed as an objective and modality under the appropriate problem on the ICSP? Yes No Comments: Do the Monthly and Quarterly Reports specifi- cally address any changes in the child's psychotropic medication? Yes No Comments: Monthly Reviews should be in chronological order in weeklies Initial Treatment Plan (Typed) 72 Hour Assessment (Typed) Section 4 (Post -Admission Data Only) Legal Documents, DSS Progress Reports, Psychological or Psychiatric Evaluations or Treatment Records external to Children ARK Appropriateness of Treatment: Does the treatment being provided fit the identified problems of the child? Are the specific strategies identified in the ICSP/RCSP objectives & modalities addressed regularly in Weekly Summaries' Section 5 Medicaid Card or Copy Doctors Apts. Dental Apts. Physicians Med. Orders Medication Release Signed by Resident OTC Med. Orders Physicians Progress Notes Initial Psychiatric Evaluation Immunization Report Physical Examination Misc. Medical Info. on resident while in treatment Therapists receive a copy of the review and are directed to make the necessary revi- sions. All initial, monthly and quarterly documentation are also reviewed by the Clinical Director, 971& Annual Report Activity 4.7 In addition to developing consistency in the recording of clinical services, Childrens ARK has developed standardized forms to meet a variety of other agency needs. These forms (intake, incident reports, home pass requests, weeklies, transportation requests, to name a few) are seen as a continual "work in progress" and are revised to meet the changing needs of the organization. Improved clarity of communication, internally and externally, are often the justification for revisions to these forms. The majority of children at Childrens ARK facilities have major mental issues requir- ing, not only counseling, but psychiatric intervention to administer and monitor the complex medication needs of our residents. The staff psychiatrist has a medical doctorate and is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Board Certified in Child and Ado- lescent Psychiatry. She has a familiarity with the unique medication needs of chil- dren. As Childrens ARK has taken increasingly severe children, the psychiatric time has been doubled from one full day every two weeks to one full day, once a week for each site. This increase in psychiatric time also allows one hour a week, per site, for the therapists to team with the psychiatrist regarding resident's needs. All Childrens ARK residents are seen as soon as possible, following their arrival, by our staff psychiatrist for an initial evaluation. At that time the psychiatrist writes medical and O.T.C. (Over The Counter) orders. Copies of these orders are kept in the resident's main file in the administration office, with copies in the resident's weekly charts, in the Med. books and in the Transportation Book. If a resident arrives with medication in bottles, the medication is taken to the pharmacist to be unit dosed. All prescriptions written by the staff psychiatrist is unit dosed at the pharmacy. At the Sterling facility, the monitoring, dispensing, and record keeping of medica- tions is supervised by a Registered Nurse. At the Green Mountain Falls and Brockhurst facilities these responsibilities are the duty of the Medical Supervisor. Medication sheets, PRN (as needed) sheets, Treatment sheets, and Medication Count sheets are made by the medical supervisor. All medications are counted daily by the medical supervisor and a 24 hour supply of the resident's medication is put in the cabin's metal med boxes. All med certified staff count the distributed meds at 8:00 A.M., 12:00 P.M., 4:00 P.M., and 8:00 P.M. to ensure accountability. All med certified staff attend an 8 hour Medication Administration Class that is taught by a person certified by the State of Colorado Public Health Department. Each per- son must pass a written and oral test to receive certification, making them eligible to disperse medications. Approximately 70% of our residents are on daily medication. When a resident goes on a pass long enough to require that medication be sent with them, medication is bagged and a Medication Pass form is filled out requiring the signature of the person responsible for the residents meds. When a resident transi- tions out of a Childrens ARK facility, a two week supply of medication is sent with them, upon request, and a Medication Discharge Release Form is filled out. All remaining medication is turned in to the pharmacy and recorded on a Medication Disposal Form. Standardization of Documentation Provide a standard set of clinical forms which allow for the concise transmittal of information. Activity 4.8 Psychiatric Innovations Provide psychiatric services/ monitoring for all residents who need to be maintained on psychotropic drugs. Activity 4.9 Medical Office Ensure the secure, monitored, and trained dispensing of all medications (psychotropic, over the counter, etc.) 9'718(76 Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch A Proposed Child Care Facility Section G - Attachments Submitted by: Jay Littlefield, MS. Founding Director Chili ens ARK P.O.Box 49-, Green Mountain Falls Colorado 80901 -049 - Phone: (719) 684-8001 Fax: (719) 684-9519 C:\PMS\RANCHAPP PM5 1 97itt't' TABLE OF CONTENTS Topic Statement of Purpose Admission Policy Policy for Reksidents Rights and Grievance Procedures Overall Program Description Policy and Procedure Regarding Discipline and Control Description of Educational Programming Plan for Recreational Activities Plan for Medical and Health Services Plan for childrens Basic Daily Routine Procedures for Emergencies and Disasters Confidentiality of Records Locked quiet Room Policy Topic - Supportive Attachments Quality Assurance Staff Training and Development Outside Contact Visitation & Communication Policy Substance Abuse Support Sexual Intervention Continuity of Care/Transition Cultural Awareness/Spiritual Needs Transportation and Support Services Reporting of Child Abuse Policy 2 Attachment Page # 7 3 8 4 9 5 10 6 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 17 18 20 19 21 20 22 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 24 25 24 26 24 27 24 28 25 971845 Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Statement of Purpose Attachment 7 Provider Eligibility/Certification Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch fits into a unique niche in the continuum of care available in the local community. Housing 8 children, this working ranch will provide a stable home environment coupled with transi- tional/vocational activities. Located in the northeast coumer of Colorado on rolling ranch lands, Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch will be administered by an experienced team of experts at Childrens ARK in Serling. Childrens ARK offers a unique management system with several professionals who have made careers of serving troubled children and the business expertise that is rare in the non-profit world. The treatment program will be managed under the auspices of the Executive Director with other professionals managing budgets, training, fund raising, etc. 971.045 3 Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Attachment 8 Admission Policy Criteria for Eligibility The purpose of Childrens ARK is to provide residential treatment for troubled youth. Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch's program will focus on youths between the ages of 10 and 17 years. These children may present a variety of diagnostic problems. Most will have a dual diagnosis according to the DSM-IV. Diagnoses may include conduct disorders, ADHD, depression, dysthymia, learning disabilities or induced psychosis and, as a result of these disorders, the youth will be experiencing psychosocial disruptions which interferes with his/her functioning. Some children may require psychotropic medication such as Ritalin, Imipramine or Mellaril. Most children will be educated at the Prairie RE 11 School. The youth's treatment and educational goals may be integrated in the individual treatment and education plans. The process of admission will be designed to screen for optimal results for the child and to insure safety for the community. Some characteristics of the clients must include the following: I. Does not present a clear and present danger to themselves or others, 2. Is not amenable to a less restrictive treatment setting, 3. Has a full-scale IQ of 65 or above, 4. Is not actively chemically dependent. The admissions process will include the following steps: 1. Screening of written materials such as psychological evaluations, social history or education plans by a licensed Colorado professional person (as per the Colorado partment of Social Services, Staff Manual, Volume 8, Medical Assistance, 8.765.20), 2. Staffing the case with an admissions board composed of facility staff, educators, social workers and community representatives, 3. An intake interview with the child at the facility, and 4. An initial intake including an orientation to the program. Every effort will be made to include the client's parent/guardian in the continuum of services offered each youth. This will include involvement starting with the initial placement, participation in family counseling, supervision of home visits and the final discharge or transition of a youth back into the community. Each child will have an Initial Service Plan within 72 hours of their admission to the program. The child will have an Individual Treatment Plan within 30 days of their admission. This plan will be developed through an Assess- ment System done by the treatment team composed of the primary counselor, supervisors, caseworkers, and other relevant parties. The treatment plan will focus on the top four treatment goals for an individual and will indicate the expected resolution of the problem that necessitated placement, specific functional achievement to be obtained (in measurable terms), and the anticipated duration and frequency of treatments. In addition, each client will receive psychological therapeutic services which will be closely supervised by a licensed professional person. All treatment plans will be monitored (with notations indicating progress towards established goals) on a monthly basis by a multi -disciplinary team which will include members of the educational staff, residential staff, and counseling staff. Parents and DSS workers will be notified of these meetings and invited to participate. Should the DSS worker be unable to attend a copy of the During these monthly review meetings the licensed professional person will document whether individual will benefit from continued residential treatment care rehabilitative therapy. 4 of%119, 5 Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Attachment 9 Policy for Residents Rights and Grievance Prodedures 1. Residents have the right to enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. 2. Residents have the right to reasonable enjoyment of privacy. 3. Residents have the right to have their opinions heard, especially in regard to their individual treatment plan or education plan. 4. Residents have a right to appropriate and reasonable adult guidance, support and supervision. 5. Residents have the right to be free from physical abuse, inhumane treatment, and sexual exploitation. 6. Residents have the right to receive adequate and appropriate medical and dental care. 7. Residents have the right to receive adequate and appropriate food, clothing and housing. 8. Residents have the right to live in a clean, safe environment. 9. Residents have the right to participate in an education program which will maximize their learning potential. I 0. Residents have the right to contact their family both by telephone and letter. However, family visits to the facility must be approved in advance by the Teaching Parents or Site Director. I 1. Residents have the right to private contact with case workers, probation officers, attorneys or ministers. 12. Residents have the right to reasonable personal property unless such property is deemed dangerous or inappropriate. Such property must be listed on an inventory sheet at the time of admission. The resi- dent is responsible for the care and maintenance of such property. Residents have the right to receive individual, group, or family counseling. 14. Residents have the right to have opportunities for self -development. 15. Residents will be made aware of and discuss decisions pertinent to their treatment. 16. The following Grievance Procedure shall be available to all residents: A. Residents will first discuss any complaints concerning their living conditions, rules, regulations, staff actions, resident actions, or other problems with the child care staff on duty at the time of the complaint. B. Residents may seek a family conference involving other youths and staff if the first procedure does not satisfy them. C. Residents may next seek a hearing with the Site Director or his/her designee. This request should be in writing and should be resolved within five working days. This request should be made on the Resident's Grievance Form. D. Residents may next present their complaint in a joint meeting with their caseworker, attorney and guardian. F. These procedures will not apply to the reporting of child abuse or neglect which shall be re- ported immediately to the Department of Social Services or other appropriate authority. G. Filing a grievance shall not negatively impact the client. 17. These rights can only be denied or modified by the Executive Director, a licensed professional counse- lor and/or a licensed professional person according to the Colorado Department of Social Services, Staff Manual Volume 8 Medical Assistance, 8.765.20. A copy of the Resident Grievance Form is available in the Childrens ARK Policy & Procedure Manual. 5 9'71046 Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Attachment 10 Mission Statement The mission statement of Childrens ARK is "Committed, Trained and Involved in their Success". Overall Program Description To be sure, "there is nothing new under the sun" and certainly the Childrens ARK Teaching Model is not something new but an eclectic compilation of many contributors to whom we are grateful. We feel we have taken the best from those who have been in the children helping business for years. It might be simpler to use only one model, but we have found that in order to provide the best treatment for both boys and girls, and respecting the different ages we treat, we need a variety of treatments and ideas. Resources Resources are the name of the game. We want to remain on the cutting edge in adolescent treatment. We started our program over two years ago with materials from Boys Town press and model. It served us well in the beginning, but now we have incorporated other models and theories. We have added the Positive Peer Culture model. We have retained Boys Town teaching models, positive techniques, social skill materials and manuals that teach how to deal with problems such as aggression and sexual acting out in adolescents. Positive Peer, with its unique group emphasis and peer control, has been very effective with our youth. In most situa- tions our Teachers, Therapists, and Residential Counselors all work with the same group in the same residential it. Also, meal times, extra curricular activities, etc. are done in the same units. Psychiatric medications are very needful and helpful in working with many of our adolescents. Our psychiatrist is very sensitive to their needs and only uses medication when necessary. Most recently we have added recreational therapists along with getting our ROPES course functioning. There are musicians on staff who will work to therapeutically explore the value of music in resident's lives. Recovery Recovery is a big goal in the Childrens ARK model. We believe in Unconditional Love as it relates to all human beings. This is an overriding spiritual and philosophical principal of our Model. This great principal also implies "forgiveness" which we find to be very necessary in the recovery of our youth. Unconditional love, forgiveness, and starting over allows space for healing in the Childrens ARK environment. Children are not only encouraged to do this from a psychological model, but a spiritual model of their choice. Responsibility Responsibility is another "BIG R" in our model. Literature is saturated with the importance of this devel- opmental idea in the lives of all children, but especially for those who are at risk. Blame and denial are so very common to our Kids. We all have a lot to learn about our responsibility for our attitudes, actions, and behav- iors — regardless of past abuses, handicaps, etc. Rights My RIGHTS!! A phrase we hear often is "It's not Fair!" We teach the children that "Life is not always , and that if they can learn to live with and handle this very huge issue, we believe their lives will be Impacted permanently. At the same time we teach them that they have the RIGHT to develop their self worth and that, based on unconditional love, they are very valuable and worthwhile. We also teach them ho to process this in social relationships and personal thinking. 57113/705 Respect Respect is closely aligned with "rights". Most of the youth who come our way have very little respect for -thority. The authority figures in their lives have not always been good role models. We must provide role ...odels and respect for them in such a way as to rebuild this need in their lives. We cannot make these children respect us or any other authority figures in society; but, we have seen a change take place by proper modeling. Family counseling is often helpful in the area of Respect. Children can learn to respect their parents or authority figures and their authority figures need to learn to respect them. Relationship The above leads us to our last "R" ... RELATIONSHIP. This may be our strongest influence on their lives. As partially touched on in the discussion of modeling, the relationships developed with these children are so critical and can allow these children, with their often distorted view of life, to view life with greater reality. Most of our children are "unattached" and "unloved" and their minds have faced much ambiguity. Our goal is to give them hope and to give them help in healing. An Overview of Social Skills Instruction: The complexity of human social behavior (carrying on a conversation, introducing oneself to a guest, etc.) can present major hurdles for a young person who has not developed a repertoire of effective social behaviors and whose deficiencies are compounded by emotional or behavioral issues. A youth needs to learn how to "read' other people's social behaviors and cues. The Concept of Social Skills: Although elusive and difficult to define as a concept, social skills have readily identifiable values and ..leanings, i.e., the 1) effect on the overall functioning of a group from an adult point of view; 2) effect on the youth's social standing from the point of view of his/her peers; or 3) effect on the youth's own feelings of social competence and belonging. Therefore when teaching social skills they should be considered from the child's perspective as well as that of the care givers. If social skills are "the ability to interact with others in a given social context in specific ways that are socially acceptable or valued and, at the same time, personally beneficial, mutually beneficial, or beneficial primarily to others" then it is important to remember that social skills re sets of behaviors that do not necessarily remain constant, but may vary with the social context and particular situational demands. Learning social skills, therefore, consists of learning to identify and react to immensely complex chains of rapidly occurring interpersonal events. A socially competent child should be able to discriminate situations, pick up on social cues, use appropriate verbal and nonverbal behavior, receive and integrate social feedback, adjust their behavior, and display competent skill behavior. 1) specific verbal responses, 2) nonverbal behaviors, 3) specific behaviors to omit, 4) metabehavioral cues and self -instructions; and, in some cases 5) subclasses of skills that may be learned separately Numerous benefits to the development of strong relationships are discussed with the underlying belief that strong relationships between a child care worker and a child enhances the workers ability to affect change in •tch youth's life. Healthy - strong relationships contribute to the environment where a child learns and grows fithout risk and as these relationships develop children are more likely to identify with and accept the values, rationales, and opinions you express. Clearly, as relationships develop and ties become strong between the worker and the resident, the resident begins to care about your opinions, and your approval and perception of them become reinforcers. 7 971646 Since relationships do not develop over the course of a few days (or even months) it is important to re- member that they are evolving based on interactions (positively and negatively) around experiences. Pages 45 through 49 give insights on how to assess relationships, skills that help develop relationships, practice in helping youth learn how to develop relationships and other elements of a positive relationship. Although this _'nformation may seem based somewhat on "common sense", the review of these principles may be of use to you! In this behavioral context, tolerance levels reflect a fine line - or tolerance level - that separates the behav- iors a person will or will not accept as appropriate. A high tolerance level means that a great deal of inappro- priate behavior is accepted or tolerated; a low tolerance level means that very little inappropriate behavior is accepted or tolerated. It is important for child care workers to know that they can maintain low tolerance levels and still build positive relationships!! Tolerance levels are high in some facilities for a variety of reasons: child-care workers might excuse misbehavior in an effort to be sympathetic and understanding or that the principles of behavior are at work. That is, youth teach the child-care workers not to deal directly with problem behaviors because when they do, they are often met with increasingly defiant youth behavior. As a result, the staff begins to ignore all but the most blatant inappropriate behavior in hopes that it will "go away". Instead, small behaviors escalate as the youth attempt to determine the limits that have been set. When a child-care staff maintains low tolerance, youth have a clearer picture of what is expected of them. The staff should strive for consistency, which reduces youth confusion and decreases and likelihood of tension and/or conflict between staff members and youth. Child-care workers also communicate their tolerance levels through their own behavior or modeling. A general rule of thumb regarding tolerance levels is to expect socially appropriate behavior from each and every youth. That is, do not excuse a youth's inappropriate behavior because of his/her background, referral reasons, or behavior pattern. To expect anything less creates "institutional tolerance levels" - behaviors that are inappropriate in society at large but permitted in an institutional setting. As you and other staff members set expectations for your youth, you also need to understand how pa- tience, encouragement, and recognition are combined with low tolerances to support the youth as they learn - new ways of thinking and behaving. Principles of Behavior Providing positive consequences immediately after a behavior to increase the likelihood that the behavior will occur again in the future. 1. Chose the right reinforcer!! 2. Deliver the reinforcer immediately 3. Choose the right amount or size 4. Use reinforcers contingently 5. Vary the use of reinforcers 6. Use schedules of reinforcement. Response Cost: This can be used when a youth behaves inappropriately even though they are aware of the negative conse- quences. Response costs means taking away a known positive reinforcer when a target behavior that needs to be decreased occurs. A loss of positive reinforcers does decrease behavior, and in that way it functions as a punisher. However, punishment is usually thought of as the application of some aversive stimulus. With response cost a youth might get a negative consequence for an inappropriate behavior; however, this is different because it takes away something positive rather than adding something negative. Generalization: This is the ultimate goal ... when a youth is able to use appropriate behaviors without the need for tangible reinforcers, and to use their new skills outside the youth -care facility. This principle of behavior means that each skill does not have to be taught in each new environment in order for it to be used in those new environ- ments. It can be promoted by having the youth thoroughly practice each skill, by having the practice occur ender conditions that are as similar as possible to the youth's real environments, and by monitoring through home notes, school notes, phone calls, or information from other students. 8 9'718445 Discrimination: This means that a youth uses behaviors and skills that are appropriate for a given situation. Much of the teaching which occurs here isn't only the new skills, but when and under what conditions certain behaviors are appropriate. It becomes crucial for children to learn to identify environmental cues that call for different sets of behavior. Motivation systems are designed so that youth earn positive consequences (usually points) for appropriate behavior and are given negative consequences for inappropriate behavior. The points earned can then be exchanged for a variety of privileges. Consequences are important to the behavior change process, but they are no more or less important than any of the other teaching components. If child-care workers rely too much on the motivation systems, it may hinder a youth's development by not exposing him or her to natural conse- quences. the child may perform only for points. On the other hand, if child-care workers do not use the Moti- vation Systems enough, their effectiveness as teachers is reduced and the youth do not learn as quickly. Re- member, consequences help change behavior! Token Economy: Consequences can be natural or applied. Natural consequences are the typical outcomes of a behavior without any intentional human intervention. Applied consequences are outcomes that are deliberately arranged. Following are some of the qualities of applied consequences that make them preferable to directly using natural consequences. 1. Applied consequences such as points resist satiation. This means that youth will continue to find them to be reinforcing over long periods of time because points represent all privileges. 2. Points are readily available. They are convenient to deliver any time or any place. 3. The immediacy of points helps to strengthen the connection, and thereby helps to increase the effective- ness and power of the consequences. 4. Because points are always available and can be delivered immediately, child-care workers can make these applied consequences very predictable. This consistency also helps the youth learn new skills and behaviors more quickly. 5. Can be used in proportion to the difficulty of the skill being learned. Privileges and Rights: Youth should have a wide variety of privileges available to them. Depending on the system, the privileges may be freely available or the youth might have to purchase them with the points they earn. The problems that lead to placement in a youth -care facility may be varied, but they almost always result in tremendous youth skill deficits. These skill deficits can take many behavioral forms but there is a positive side to this...if these behaviors were learned they can most certainly be changed, eliminated, or replaced. To bring about behavior changes, child-care workers must have a model that helps them recognize and describe behavior, and explains how to use these abilities to focus on skills during teaching procedures. The ABC Model: This is a system for observing and describing what people do, make reasonable assumptions about why they do it, and develop strategies to maintain positive behaviors and change negative behaviors. .73 C = Antecedents - the events or conditions present in the environment before a behavior occurs. = Behavior - what is done or said by a person. = Consequences - the results, outcomes, or effects of behavior. Effective praise is crucial to developing relationships and is very important in strengthening appropriate behavior. Effective praise interactions enable you to sincerely and enthusiastically recognize the progress each youth is making. 9 9718MD The steps of effective praise are: These steps should work together to communicate your concern for the youth, as well as your approval and appreciation when the youth is behaving well and making strides to change specific inappropriate behavior. _ Because the youth who come to residential child care facilities have so much to learn and "unlearn" in a ively short time, frequent direct skillful teaching is the key to success. Teaching is the critical difference b..tween real treatment and custodial care. Preventative Teaching suggests that this teaching, which prepares youth to use skills in future situations to prevent problems, will increase each youth's opportunities for success. The practical application of preven- tative Teaching Techniques involves knowing what to teach, when to teach, where to teach, and how to teach. It should start by focusing on basic curriculum skills (such as following instructions, accepting no answers, engaging in a conversation, greeting others, accepting criticism, disagreeing appropriately, showing respect, and showing sensitivity to others). Basic and advanced skills help a youth develop a wide variety of family and community living skills. Most youth receive a gradual "education" in these skills from their parents and other adults through modeling, discussion, praise, and discipline. But the youth in many care facilities have not been part of such a natural, pro -social education process. In fact, most of these youth have had an inconsistent and often dysfunctional education that has left them confused and socially inept. Frequent, specific, Preventative Teaching is critical if these youth are to make up for lost time and lost opportunities. There are three types of Preventative Teaching: Planned Teaching, Preteaching, and Preventative Prompts. Each of these is discussed in detail in chapter eleven. Planned Teaching: Planned Teaching involves teaching a new skill at a predetermined neutral time, and uses a number of teaching interaction components. When you are involved in Preteaching you are reintroducing a skill that was taught in a Planned Teaching session just prior to an event in which the youth needs to use the skill. Preventative Prompts: These are brief reminders of a skill given prior to an event in which the you need the skill and are: 1. 'ef Reminder, 2. Request Acknowledgment, and 3. General Praise. The most desirable goal is to avoid and prevent the occurrence of such behaviors and episodes and this chapter briefly reviews the general preventative procedures that can be used to minimize the occurrence of Intensive Teaching situations. General preventative procedures: • Frequent Effective Praise • Preventative Teaching (Remember the 5 second rule) • Teaching Interactions • Use the Motivation System • Work on Relationship Building • Remain Calm & Keep Yourself Under Control!! Remember, You're the Professional!! It is important to realize that your behavior directly affects the way a youth behaves. You must remain as calm as possible, even though the youth may be highly upset. Depending on the frequency and severity of the behavior, you may begin to feel upset or angry. These emotional responses can interfere with your ability to deal with the youth's inappropriate behavior. If you become upset, it reinforces a youth's inappropriate behav- ior and minimizes constructive teaching goals. Intensive Teaching: Despite the variety of problem behaviors which may necessitate intensive teaching, the common element is that the youth is no longer following instructions. Regardless of the severity or intensity, the same basic procedures can be applied. There are four basic phases to this technique: 1. Preventative phase, 2. Crisis intervention phase, 3. Teaching phase, and 4. Follow-up teaching phase. 10 97i04'; Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Attachment 11 Policy and Procedure Regarding Discipline and Control Discipline is generally based on "response costs" procedures such as loss of points used to purchase special privileges such as allowance, T. V. time and other special activities. Intensive and preventative procedures are also taught to staff. The Cornell restraint procedures are also taught to every staff member. A Critical Incident Report will be filled out in each case with copies going to social workers, supervisors and other relevant persons. Discipline shall be constructive or educational in nature and may include diversion, withholding of privileges. separation from the problem situation, and/or gentle physical restraint, such as holding. This policy and these measures are described as "preventive and intensive teaching" in the training manual and as therapeutic crisis intervention as taught by the agency. These procedures may need to be modified slightly according to the specific situation. Children shall not be subjected to physical harm or humiliation. The following will not be permitted as disciplinary measures: 1 . Any type of physical hitting or any type of physical punishment inflicted upon the body. 2. Physical exercise such as "running laps" or push ups when used solely as a means of discipline. 3. Requiring or forcing a child to take an uncomfortable position, such as squatting or bending, or requiring the child to repeat physical movements when used solely as a means of punishment. 4. Verbal abuse or derogatory remarks about the child, his family, his race, religion, or cultural background. 5. Deprivation of meals. 6. Denial of visitation or communication with family solely as a means of punishment. 7. Denial of sufficient sleep, denial of shelter, clothing or bedding. 8. Excessive withholding of emotional response or stimulation, requiring a child to remain silent for long periods of time. 9. Mechanical restraint or assignment of physically strenuous or harsh work which could result in harm to the child. Children in care shall not punish other residents except as part of an organized therapeutic approach in accordance with program policy. Physical Contact Policy Positive physical contact such as hugs or an arm around the shoulder are important quality components in devel- oping a good relationship with a child. However, contact should be done in the presence of other staff and youths, not in private, where a youth could make allegations against staff Physical contact should be done with therapeu- tic intent, that is the purpose of meeting the clients needs, not the staffs and should cease whenever a client requests not to be touched. 11 Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Attachment 12 Description of Educational Programming Childrens ARK at New RaymerRanch will transport residents to the local school district for educational purposes. The education component will be incorporated within the individual treatment plan of each youth to ensure that all education and treatment issues will be met. 12 971.84. Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Attachment 13 Plan for Recreational Activities Therapeutic recreation is an integral part of the Childrens ARK program. Each youth is involved in one structured group activity each week, such as roller skating, movies, bowling, etc. Each day each youth receives a period of free time that allows the time to be involved in other activities such as shuffle board, pool, board games, arts and crafts, all provided on site. Each youth is also encouraged to be involved in extra curricular activities at school. The Childrens ARK will provide both on and off grounds recreational activities as an essential component of the program. Recreation Procedure and Practice: 1. All recreational activities will be under the supervision of the Recreation Coordinator. 2. Residents may participate in off grounds activities based on their trust level as it is established in the Training Manual. 3. Recreation involving the expenditure of funds must have prior written approval by the Site Director. 4. Recreational activities are to be evaluated periodically to assess effectiveness. 5. Residents may not participate in out of county recreational activities without approval of the Site Director. 6. At all times, recreational outings and destinations will be selected with the child's safety in mind. 7. Recreation will be a prescribed component of the child's treatment plan. 8. Recreational activities which take place away from the facility will be within the guidelines as directed by section 7.705.28 of the Minimum Rules and Regulations for Residential Child Care Facilities. Recreational activities which take place away from the grounds will be coordinated through the Site Direc- tors Office. 10. Any recreational activity which may be considered as HAZARDOUS, as defined by the Minimum Rules and Regulations for a Residential Child Care Facility, (7.705.28) will comply with all standards set forth in section 7.705.28. 11. The following activities will be offered for all residents residing on the Childrens ARK grounds: Arts and Crafts Weight Training (w/ spotter) Pool Jogging Table Games Foosball Catch (Foot & Baseball) Aerobics Others, as available 12. The following activities will be made available for residents away from the home: Basketball Flag Football Bowling Swimming Softball Volleyball Movie Theaters Camping Tennis Fishing Skiing (Snow) Athletic Events Backpacking, Trails City Park Soccer Special Clubs Roller Skating Ice Skating Special Events Others, as available 13. Whenever residents are participating as a water skier they shall be wearing a US Coast Guard approved personal floatation vest. Parties in the boat will be wearing a US Coast Guard approved floatation vest. The boat used to pull skiers will meet with US Coast Guard standards. Skiers will be pulled separately or with one other skier. At no time will more than two skiers be allowed to ski together. The party pulling the skier, by boat, will be accompanied by at least one other individual who will serve as flag man. It is the flag man's responsibility to observe the skier(s) at all times and raise a flag as soon as the skier(s) fall into the water, and notify the driver of the boat that such has happened. One of the two parties in the boat shall have a current Red Cross Lifesaving certificate. 13 971.8 Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Attachment 14 Plan for Medical and Health Services Emergency Medical Care The Childrens ARK agency has a letter from allowing the home access to their emergency room. Each child has a Medical Release Form signed by a legal guardian that allows for emer- gency services. Routine medical or planned surgical procedures are coordinated in advance with natural parents, social workers and medical providers. No restrictions are placed on access to health care unless a youth appears to be abusing this service. If this occurs, a record of the issue will be available on the Family Conference Card. The agency will have a certified Red Cross instructor on staff, who provides annual training regarding CPR and medical emergencies. Emergency medical services are available to each home through 911. Emergency proce- dures are posted, including phone numbers for emergency services, supervisors and D.S.S. personnel. Staff documents each emergency situation on a Critical Incident Report. When a member of the Professional Staff determines necessity to transfer a patient to a hospital, clinic or doctor's office, a physician is contacted and the patient is transported. 1. If ambulance service or paramedic service is required, call 911. Emergency numbers are taped to the inside of each telephone handset. 2. Physician: Call the patient's physician listed on the Admittance Card or the Medical Center ( ). 3. Monitor blood pressure, pulse and respiration and give pertinent information to the paramedics upon their arrival. 4. Document the following in the patients file: a. Date and time b. Event ( describe in your own words ). c. Vitals d. Transported by whom (ambulance service). e. When the patient was transported. 5. Notify the social worker and family member (if appropriate), and document. 6. A member of the Counseling Staff will follow the ambulance to the medical center to facilitate the admission process. A copy of the Admit Card, Medicaid Card, and medical history must be taken. The Youth's Case file, located in the Site Director's office, contains this information and is always accessible to staff. Medical and Health Services Plan All residents moving into Childrens ARK shall have a physical examination by a Local physician within 30 days of admittance, if possible. Any resident having received a physical within 60 days prior of admittance will waive this requirement, with verifiable proof. Annual physical examinations will be made by the same physician. All residents shall receive dental and optical examinations after the physical examination is completed. Other screening will be scheduled if by the physician. Dental and visual checkups shall be made annually. If a youth is ill, has dental difficulty, or difficulty seeing the board at school, etc., they should notify staff so proper solutions may be sought. When a youth is ill, and they are receiving treatment, that treatment should be explained to the youth so they can understand it. If they don't understand, then they should ask. 14 Chrldrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Attachment 14 - Continued Prescription Medicine All staff members responsible for the handling and dispensing of prescription medications are required to attend a Medication Administration training course and pass a competency test in medication administration which has been approved by the Colorado Department of Health (HB 1065). Medications are stored in a locked cabinet away from client contact. A drug book is kept which documents the administering of all medications, in addition to any medication errors and drug reactions. Copies of all medication changes are retained in confidential client files. 15 971 1.3.3 Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Attachment 15 Plan for Childrens Basic Daily Routine The following will be the basic daily routine at the Childrens ARK during weekdays: 7:00am 7:30am 8:00am 8:30am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:30pm 4:00pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm Summer Routine Wake up and personal hygiene Make bed and clean room Breakfast in dining hall Morning Classes Lunch in dining hall Afternoon Classes Family Conference Recreation Dinner in dining hall Individual counseling / Journaling Tally up for point cards Return to cabins / showers Lights out Youths shall get up no earlier than 7:00 am and no later than 8:30 am, depending upon their individual schedule r the day. Breakfast shall be eaten by all youths. Breakfast is to be finished no later than 9:00 am. Good _ eakfasts are encouraged, however, we insist on a minimum of one glass of milk, or juice, a piece of toast and fruit. Following breakfast, youth's shall prepare for their day, do their assigned chores, make their bed, and pick up their room. During the summer, following organized activities, residents will be alowed to choose activities from an accepted list.. All youth's shall attend one hour of "creative learning" each morning and may be enrolled in one swimming class. All youth are required to eat lunch, which will be served in the dinning hall. Lunch will be served between the hour of 11:30 and 12:30pm. Afternoon activities shall be posted as they pertain to the day. Youths with cook duties for supper shall start no earlier than 5:00pm and supper shall be served between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. Evening activities and special outings and events shall be posted. All youth shall be in bed not later than 10:30 pm with lights out (time determined by level). 16 9713&": 1 Attachment 16 Procedures for Emergencies and Disasters An emergency plan will be posted in each of the buildings on the Childrens ARK campus. This plan will include egress instructions for fire and disaster situations. The plan will also include a list of emergency phone numbers for fire, police, and agency staff to be contacted. Fire Evacuation Plan Guidlines 1. Our first and foremost responsibility is always to the residents. No matter what the size of the fire, evacua- tion procedures should begin. 2. After all occupants have been evacuated to the appropriate designated area, staff should ascertain the type and size of the fire. If the fire is small and relatively contained (such as a smoldering mattress or waste can fire), staff should attempt to extinguish it with the fire extinguisher. 3. Whenever a fire extinguisher is discharged, either accidently or purposely, the office should be informed so that it can be replaced. 4. Under no circumstances should any resident or staff member go back into a burning building in an attempt to save personal or ARK property! To assure that this does not occur, residents should be kept within the area designated in the evacuation plan, and periodic head counts should be taken. If a person is discovered missing, firefighting personnel should be notified immediately. 5. The appropriate evacuation plan for each building should be posted in a conspicuous place in each building. 6. Staff membears should familiarize themselves with these policies and the individual evacuation plans for reach building in which they work. 7. Staff should schedule periodic class time and group meetings to go over evacuation procedures with the residents. The fire evacuation plan for his/her living and recreation areas should be part of the orientation program for each new resident. Tornado Action Plan Receiving Alarm On -duty personnel shall monitor weather alert radios. In the event of a tornado warning, staff should: 1. Notify Director on Duty. 2. Notify staff on grounds. 17 Chiidrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Attachment 17 Confidentiality of Records All records will be handled according to the "Minimum Rules and Regulations for Residential Child Care Facili- ties". The Childrens ARK policy regarding the maintenance and confidentiality of records shall include at least the following in accordance with paragraph 7.705.61 of the Minimum Rules and Regulations for a Residential Child Care Facility: 1. Records shall be the property of the residential child care facility, and the facility, as a custodian, shall secure records against loss, tampering or unauthorized use. The facility shall designate who is to super- vise the maintenance of records and to whom records may be released. 2. Employees of the facility shall not disclose or knowingly permit the disclosure of any information concerning the child or his/her family, directly or indirectly, to any unauthorized person except in case of medical emergency. 3. Information concerning a child in care shall not be released without the voluntary, written consent of the parent(s) or guardian except to the child, his parent(s) or guardian, their respective legal counsel, the court having jurisdiction over an individual child's case, or an authorized public official in the perfor- mance of his/her mandated duties. 4. A residential child care facility may make available information in the case record to the child, his parent(s) or guardian and their respective legal counsel if the information being released does not con- tain material which violates the right of privacy of another individual and/or material that must be withheld from release according to other laws or by order of the court. If, in the professional judgment of the administration of the facility, it is felt information contained in the record would be damaging to a child, that information may be withheld except under court order. Treatment Plans Each child will have an individual treatment plan including specific treatment goals. This plan will be developed through the use of an Assessment System outlined in the training manual. The youth's progress on their treatment plan will be monitored by the use of a daily motivation system involving points, levels and daily charting by the child and the staff. Voluntary consent to these treatment procedures will be obtained at intake and progress on the treatment plan will bemonitored at least quarterly. Any medical or psychological examinations needed to assure the child's ability to participate in this treatment program will be obtained prior to intake. The youth's progress will be monitored quarterly at a Treatment Review Staffing. This staffing will be monitored by a licensed professional counselor. This program will be supervised by the Site Director and maintained through a written annual program evaluation. The overall goal of the ARK program will be to integrate the youth back into society. This process will be reviewed in quarterly treatment reviews. However, modifications in the youth's -treatment plan to accomplish this goal may be initiated at any point in the treatment by the youth, the staff or the guardian. The child's termination from the program will hopefully be made upon their successful completion of most of their treatment goals. 19 971046 Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Attachment 18 Locked Quiet Room Policy There will be no locked quiet room on any of Childrens ARK's facilities. 20 971845 Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Additional Supportive Attachments The following attachments are provided in support of the application for licensure of the facility childens ARK at New Raymer Ranch Attachment 19 Quality Assurance 1. The Children's ARK at New Raymer will designate a Quality Assurance Officer as a member of the senior management team. 2. The Quality Assurance Officer will be responsible for the following tasks, as a minimum, to insure the facility is in compliance with Colorado Department of Social Services Staff Manual Volume 8, Medical Assistance, 8.765.432: a. The Quality Assurance Officer will coordinate with the Department for an annual review of compli- ance with the residential treatment center program's rules and regulations. b. The Quality Assurance Officer will be responsible for the implementation and management of the quality assurance program. c. The Quality Assurance Officer will schedule and coordinate the review process of the Quality Assur- ance Review Board (the Executive Director or his designee, the Site Director, the Clinical Supervisor, the clients' counselor and the client, when appropriate). The Quality Assurance Review Board will meet to determine the effectiveness and appropriateness of treatment. The Quality Assurance Review Board will review selected client case records every three (3) months on a rotating basis to insure all records are reviewed at least annually. d. The Quality Assurance Officer will schedule and coordinate a medical review process for the staff physician to insure that the medical status of each client in treatment for twelve months or longer is reviewed at least every twelve months. Whenever possible the Quality Assurance Officer will sched- ule the records of these clients to be reviewed on or before the anniversary their placement date unless a qualifying medical review was conducted earlier. The Quality Assurance Officer will schedule and coordinate the medical review process to be completed prior to the Quality Assurance Review Board meeting so that the medical information can be made available to the Quality Assurance Review Board. There shall be documented follow-up of medical problems identified by the medical review process. e. The Quality Assurance Officer will schedule and coordinate a clinical review process for the Clinical Supervisor or his designee (a licensed professional person) to insure that records of clients in treatment for six (6) months or longer are reviewed at least every six (6) months. This review will be docu- mented in the client's records. f. The Quality Assurance Officer will be included in the distribution of information concerning critical incidents involving the clients of the facility by receiving copies of all serious incidents involving the clients of the facility. In the event that a serious incident results in serious injury or death to any party involved, the Quality Assurance Officer will schedule and coordinate an emergency meeting of the Quality Assurance Review Board to review staff actions before, during, and subsequent to the incident. It will be the proactive goal of this process to develop and implement recommendations and directives based on lessons learned to preclude the future occurrence of similar incidents in similar circum- stances. This process will compliment the actions and investigations of other appropriate agencies typically involved in incidents of this nature. 971.546 21 Attachment 20 Staff Training and Development The process of staff training and support will be coordinated through Children ARK at Sterling. Training mate- rials have been developed internally and are provided all new staff. Respite services will be available by way of the support staff at the facility. Training and treatment for parents will be available through the Site Director's office. Ongoing training for staff members will be conducted on a monthly basis. Attach men 21 Outside Contact There may be no staff social contact with current or former Children' ARK residents outside of the work confines of this organization, without the immediate notification of your Children's ARK supervisor. It is the intent of this organization's program to provide, as near as possible, all the benefits of a creative and professional treatment program. It is important that staff continue to develop close and trusting relationships with our residents and that may indicate one-to-one social contact from time to time between residents and on or off duty staff. However, in a time where troubled residents, their families and harried officials are scrutinizing our every move, it is imperative that you, the staff report or talk over your contact or planned contact, with supervi- r, or administrator. This directive should be acted upon as if it were Children's ARK you individually were directed to comply. 9718'5 22 Attachment 22 Visitation & Communication Policy ouths may have visitation with family members and "significant others" as determined by DSS. The goal of the Children's ARK is to reunite children with their families whenever possible. Therefore, visits with family members will be scheduled when possible and when therapeutically appropriate. Determination of home visits will be made by the primary counselor with input from the caseworker, parents and staff. Each child will carry a homenote to document the progress made during the visit. Family counseling may occur before and after the home visit. This process is designed to speed up the reintegration of the youth into their family system. In addition, home visits could occur when a youth has restricted privileges due to a lack of progress on the motivation system. Restrictions might include: no activities outside the home, no phone calls or visits from friends or restricted TV time. is come together at a critical point; that is behavior is, at least in part, a product of learning and that children can learn new behaviors to replace dysfunctional behaviors. Childrens ARK's program is designed to provide a positive learning environment characterized by love, concern and teaching. The program is directed by masters level staff The Executive Director, Site Director, and Counselors will all share responsibility for the training and implementation of the treatment procedures and techniques. The child care staff will be "Teaching -Parents" who will reside at the ARK with the children in order to provide a family atmosphere for the children and to maintain consistency with the program procedures. The residents will be integrated into the local school district for educational needs. Therapy will be provided on both an individual and group basis for all children in the facility. Much of the therapy will be based on cognitive behavior therapy techniques. Children will be encouraged to learn their emotional and cognitive states and to see how these effect their behavior. All of the above staff will have at least a high school degree, have no felony or child abuse convictions and be screened through interviews and psychological evaluations before being hired. All staff will be trained with pre -service workshops at the ARK prior to their working with children. Approximately six hours of on -going training will be provided each month. The treatment program will serve children with a wide variety of emotional and behavioral problems. The pro- gram will focus on youths between the ages of nine and fifteen years of age. Many of these youths will be the victims of sexual and physical abuse. Most will have a dual diagnosis according to the DSM-IV. A prevalent diagnostic profile will involve conduct disorders along with emotional and learning problems. 23 871846 Attachment 23 Substance Abuse Support Although the Childrens ARK is not a substance abuse treatment center we acknowledge that many of our clients me to us with these issues as a part of their social history. With this in mind, the Childrens ARK will provide stoup support for clients with those needs. This will be accomplished with individual counseling, group counsel- ing, regularly scheduled AA meetings (facilitated and supported by the ARK), with films, videos and literature designed for the addicted adolescent, and with programs such as Teen Life which incorporate an educational component with individual support. These services will be offered as part of the existing program and will not normally necessitate additional funds. However, individual client needs may dictate a higher level of treatment not resourced within this facility. This additional treatment may require excess funds not included in a clients basic fee for service. Attachment 24 Sexual Intervention Although the Childrens ARK is not a sexual abuse treatment center we acknowledge that many of our clients come to us with these issues as a part of their social history. With this in mind, the Childrens ARK will provide group support for clients with those needs. This will be accomplished with individual counseling, group counseling by residential staff trained by the Kemp Center. All staff will receive initial training and counselors will receive on- going in depth training. However, individual client needs may dictate a higher level of treatment not resourced within this facility. This additional treatment may require excess funds not included in a clients basic fee for service. The Childrens ARK reserves the right to bill for such services as necessitated by client needs. Attachment 25 Continuity of Care/Transition The Childrens ARK realizes the importance of a smooth transition from one facility to another and or back into the client's home community. Services will be initiated and recommendations will be made relative to placement -'ternatives. The ARK will facilitate and coordinate with external agencies and the Department of Social Ser- .ces, to the greatest extent possible, given the limitations of funds allocated for this purpose. When a child or youth as completed his/her treatment program and is to be discharged from this facility, a discharge conference or staffing review will be called. If the recommendations are to place the client in another authorized placement facility this meeting will involve participants from both agencies. At least 24 -hours advanced notice to the resident and the legal guardian, unless waived in writing or an emergency condition exists, will be given. Every effort will be made to identify community support, jobs, and/or vocational opportunities for clients upon discharge from this facility. In addition, for school age children educational and treatment progress will be reviewed and a transition plan developed for re-entry into the public school system with consideration given to the child or youth's unique needs. All transitions are documented with a Discharge Summary. Attachment 26 Cultural Awareness/Spiritual Needs Cultural awareness and training are part of the workshops offered to all staff members. Each Staff is advised to teach cultural pride and to educate all youths in cultural issues. Staff are selected to reflect diverse cultural values. Community leaders of various cultural backgrounds will be invited to visit the facility. Children are taken to various community events reflecting varied cultural interests. Youth are encouraged to help prepare ethnic meals for all the children in their cottage, and family members will be invited to participate in this occasion. The spiritual needs of each child are met on an individual basis depending on the child's religious back- ground. No religious beliefs of staff or other children are forced on a child. children are encouraged to participate in the religious activities of their choice. Attachment 27 Transportation and Support Services The Childrens ARK at New Raymer Ranch will be provided adequate vehicles to transport children to family visits, medical appointments and court hearings. It is hoped that transportation needs can be kept to a minimum by having many services available at the facility. Attachment 28 Reporting of Child Abuse Policy (Excerpted from a flyer published by the Colorado Department of Social Services) identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect in Out -of -Home Care Settings Many children and adolescents are in "out -of -home care settings" such as day care centers, foster homes, residen- tial child care facilities (RCCFs), correctional facilities, mental health hospitals, and day treatment centers, facili- ties for the developmentally disabled, and health care facilities. Child abuse and neglect can occur in out -of -home care settings as well as in families. Colorado law requires that all cases of known or suspected abuse and neglect in any setting be reported. Who is required to report known or suspected child abuse and/or neglect? Colorado law requires that staff in out -of -home child care settings report known or suspected child abuse and neglect. Legally mandated reporters who willfully fail to report can be punished and can be liable for damages (19-10-104, C.R.S. 1986). This can include allegation made by a parent, staff member or another child. In Colorado, the person reporting the suspected neglect or abuse need not and should not attempt to verify the facts. It is simply your responsibility to report the situation and allow the proper authorities to handle the case and prove or disprove the allegations. Persons who make a good faith report are immune from criminal and civil liability (19-10-110, C.R.S. 1973). Additionally, the law provides for protection of the identify of the reporting party (19-10-115, C.R.S. 1973). When should a report be made? I IIv[EDIATELY. An official report to the county department of social services or a law enforcement agency must be made by the required person/s. Delays of even hours can impede the investigation. It is strongly sug- gested that a report be made within ONE DOUR from the time it is known or suspected that child abuse/neglect has occurred. What should be reported? The following types of known or suspected child abuse and/or neglect should be reported: .Physical maltreatment: any injury which is the result of the actions or omissions of a caretaker. ...Sexual maltreatment: any sexual contact or sexually exploitative behavior involving a caretaker. ...Failure to provide: food, clothing, shelter or medical care necessary for a child's growth and development including the timely provision of medical care. ...Failure to supervise: to provide monitoring, guidance, structure, restraint or discipline necessary to protect a child from harm. ...Emotional maltreatment: acts or omissions of an adult caretaker which could be expected to retard or dam- age a child's emotional development or aggravate an existing impairment. ...Harmful restraint and/or control: inappropriate use of restraint, isolation or medication which could harm or endanger a child. However, if there is any reason to question whether or not an incident, circumstance or concern should be reported, IT CATEGORICALLY SHOULD!! How and to whom should a report be made? In the Chiidrens ARK incidents of known or suspected child abuse and/or neglect are to be reported to the Execu- tive Director, the Site Director, and (if applicable) the Client Representative. These individuals will immediately make an official report to the appropriate agency. An official report of known or suspected child abuse or neglect should be called in over the phone to the county department of social services in the county in which the facility is located or the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction in which the facility is located. It should be followed up with a written report. This policy DOES NOT WAIVE the staff member's statutory obligation. An official report is consider made when it is received by the county department of social services or law enforce- ment agency in the jurisdiction in which the facility is located. 25 971846 Hello