2013-129\1COUAD1DeparimenlsV.sgall0ur pocumenlsl0rdinanccs1131Parks Slsndards of Cure.docx
ORDINANCE NO. 2013-129
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, ADOPTING STANDARDS OF
CARE FOR YOUTH/TEEN PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY DENTON' S PARKS AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO TEXAS HUMAN RESOURCES CODE
SECTION 42.041 (b)(14); AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Denton, Texas, recognizes that many children of school age need
an organized program for recreational activities after the end of the school day and for other non-
school days; and
WHEREAS, the City of Denton, Texas, through its Park and Recreation Department,
proposes to operate After School Programs and Surruner Camps for children to be operated at
City Recreational Centers and schools of the Denton Independent School District; and
WHEREAS, the City of Denton, Texas, needs to adopt Standards of Care for these
recreational programs so licensing as a day care facility will not be necessary; and
WHEREAS, the City of Denton, Texas, has formulated a Standards of Care that at a
minimum includes staffing ratios, minimum staff, qualifications, minimum facility, health and
safety standards, and mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing the local standards; and further
provides for notifying parents that the program is not licensed by the state and that the program
may not be advertised as a day care facility; and
WHEREAS, on %t� day of %��,�/ , 2013, the City of Denton held a
public hearing on the above Standards of Care a� required by Section 42 041 (b)(14) of the Texas
Human Resources Code; NOW, THEREFORE;
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The City of Denton, Texas, adopts the Standards of Care for Youth/Teen
Programs which is attached as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by reference as if written
word for word pursuant to Section 42.041 (b)(14), Texas Human Resources Code.
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
approval. ,�
PASSED AND APPROVED this the %�
da�
MARK
YOR
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
BY: �
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
ANITA BURGESS, CITY ATTORNEY
BY: � .
Exhibit A
� � ---
ci-rY
OF
DENT�N
City of Denton
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' ���• • %��
• ENRYH NG LIVES
Parl�s & Recreation Department
Cit of Denton
Y
Parks and Recreation
Standards of Care
2013-2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Standards of Care
General Administration
Organization
Definitions
Inspections
Enrollment
Suspected Abuse
Staffing - Respvnsibilities and Training
Youth/Teen/Center Manager Qualifications
Manager's Responsibilities
Youth/Teen Program Coordinator & Leader Qualifications
Coordinators and Leader Responsibilities
Training/Orientation
Operations
Staff-Participant Ratio
Discipline
Programming
Communication
Transportation
Facility Standards
Safety
Fire
Health
Toilet Facilities
Sanitation
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*Programs include: After School Action Site, Middle After School Program, Summer
Camps, KDO's, Holiday Camps, Spring Break Camps, Teen Camps
Any questions related to Standards of Care should be addressed to the Athletics/Youth-
Teen Program Area Manager at 940-349-8731.
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CITY OF DENTON PARKS AND RECREATION
STANDARDS OF CARE
The following Standards of Care have been adopted by the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas
in order to comply with Senate Bill 212 as approved by the Texas Legislature during the 74th
legislative session. The Standards of Care are intended to be minimum standards by which the City
of Denton Parks and Recreation Department will operate the City's Youth Programs. The programs
operated by the City are recreational in nature and are not licensed day caxe programs. The City of
Denton's recreational/camp programs are exempt from licensing under Texas Administrative Code
745.115(3).
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Organization
A. The governing body of the City of Denton Parks and Recreation Programs is the City
of Denton City Council.
B. Implementation of the Youth/Teen Programs Standards of Care is the responsibility
of the Parks and Recreation Department Director and Departmental employees.
C. Youth/Teen Programs ("Program") to which these Standards of Care will apply are
the After School Action Site, Holiday Break Camps, Spring Break Camps. Kids Day
Off, Summer Camps, Middle School After School Program and Teen Surruner Camp
programs.
D. Each Youth/Teen Program site will have available for public and staff review a
current copy of the Standards of Care.
E. Paxents of participants will be provided a current copy of the Standards of Care
during the registration process.
F. Criminal background checks will be conducted on prospective staf£ No person with
conviction or who is under indictment for, or is the subject of an official criminal
complaint alleging violation of any of the crimes listed in the Texas Department of
Protective and Regulatory Service's Day Care Center Minimum Standards and
Guidelines Appendix II as same may be amended or a felony violation of the Texas
Controlled Substance Act may be present while children are in care. An example of
current Appendix II is attached as Exhibit A.
2. Definitions
A. City: City of Denton.
B. City Council: City Council of the City of Denton.
C. Department: Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Denton.
D. Youth/Teen Programs or Program: City of Denton Youth/Teen Programs consisting
of the After School Action Site, Holiday Break Camps, Spring Break Camps, Kids
Day Off, Suminer Camps, Middle School After School Program and Teen Summer
Camp programs.
E. Program Manual: Notebook of policies, procedures, required forms, and
organizational and programming information relevant to City of Denton Programs.
F. Director: City of Denton Parks and Recreation Department Director or his or her
designee.
G. Program Manager: City of Denton Parks and Recreation Department full-time
Programtner who has been assigned administrative responsibility for City of Denton
Youth/Teen Programs.
H Youth/Teen Manager or Center Manager: City of Denton Parks and Recreation
Department full-time employee who has been assigned responsibility to implement
the City's Youth/Teen Programs.
I. Program Site: Area and facilities where City of Denton Youth/Teen Programs are
held consisting of Civic Center, Martin Luther King Recreation Center, Denia
Recreation Center, North Lakes Recreation Center, and McMath Middle School.
Participant: A youth/teen whose parent(s) have completed all required registration
procedures and determined to be eligible for a City of Denton Youth/Teen Program.
K. Parent(s): This term will be used to represent one or both parent(s) or adults who
have legal custody and authority to enroll their child(ren)/teen(s) in City of Denton
Youth/Teen Programs.
L. Employee(s): Term used to describe people who have been hired to work for the City
of Denton and have assigned responsibility for managing, administering, or
implementing some portion of the City of Denton Youtl�/Teen Programs.
3 . Inspections/MonitoringBnforcement
A. A monthly inspection report will be initiated by the Manager, Specialist or
Coordinator of each Program to confirm the Standards of Care are being adhered to.
(1) Inspection reports will be sent to the Program Manager for review and kept
on record for at least two years.
(2) The Program Manager will review the report and establish deadlines and
criteria for compliance with the Standards of Care.
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B. The Manager will make visual inspections of the Program based on the following
schedule:
(1) Each After School Program site will be inspected bimonthly;
(2) The Holiday & Spring Break Camp Program will be inspected once during
its holiday schedule; and
(3) The Suinmer Camp Program will be inspected twice during the summer
break.
(4) The Middle School After School Program site will be inspected
bimonthly;
(5) Teen Camp Program will be inspected once during the summer break;
(6) The Kids Day Off will be inspected three times a year;
C. Complaints regarding enforcement of the Standards of Care will be directed to the
Manager. The Manager will be responsible to take the necessary steps to resolve the
problems. Complaints regarding enforcement of the Standards of Caxe and their
resolution will be recorded by the Specialist or Coordinator. Serious complaints
regarding enforcement of the Standards of Care will be addressed by the Program
Manager and the complaint and resolution will be noted.
D. The Program Manager will malce an annual report to the City Council on the overall
status of the Youth/Teen Programs and their operation relative to compliance with
the Standards of Care.
4. Enrollment
A. Before a child can be enrolled, a parent must sign registration forms that contain
the child's:
(1) name, address, home telephone number, email address;
(2) name and address of parents and telephone number during Program hours;
(3) the names of people to whom the child can be released;
(4) a statement of the child's special problems or needs;
(5) emergency medical authorization;
(6) proof of residency when appropriate; and
(7) a liability waiver.
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5. Suspected Abuse
Program employees will report suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with the
Texas Family Code.
STAFFING - RESPONSIBILITIES AND TRAINING
6. Youth/Teen or Center Manager ("Manager") Qualifications
A. Manager will be full-time, professional employees of the City of Denton Parks and
Recreation Department and will be required to have all Program Leader
qualifications as outlined in Section 7 of the document.
B. Manager must be at least 21 years old.
C. Manager must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or University or at
least five (5) years of direct supervision of recreational activities related to children
ages 4-15 years of age. Acceptable degrees include:
(1) Recreation Administration or General Recreation;
(2) Physical Education; and
(3) Any other comparable degree plan that would lend itself to working in a
public recreation environment.
D. Manager must have five years experience planning and implementing recreational
activities.
E. Manager must pass a bacicground investigation including testing for illegal
substances.
F. Manager must have successfully completed a course in first aid and Cardio
Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) based on either American Heart Association or
American Red Cross standards. Manager must also complete a course in Defensive
Driving.
G. Manager must complete 10 hours of child care training per calendar year.
7. Manager's Responsibilities
A. Manager's are responsible to administer the Programs' daily operations in
compliance with the adopted Standards of Care.
B. Manager's are responsible to recommend for hire, supervise, and evaluate Specialist,
Coordinators and Leaders.
C. Manager's are responsible to plan, implement, and evaluate programs.
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8. Youth/Teen Program Specialist ("Specialist") and Coordinator ("Coordinator"} and
Leader ("Leader") Qualifications
A. Specialist will be full-time, professional employees of the City of Denton Parks
and Recreation Department and will be required to have all Program Leader
qualifications as outlined in Section 7 of the document.
B. Coordinators and Leaders will be part-time or temporary employees of the Parks and
Recreation Department.
C. Coordinators and Leaders working with children must be age 18 or older.
D. Coordinators and Leaders should be able to consistently exhibit competency, good
judgment, and self-control when working with children.
E. Coordinators and Leaders must relate to children with courtesy, respect, tolerance,
and patience.
F. Coordinators and Leaders must have successfully completed a course in first aid and
CPR based on either American Heart Association or American Red Cross standards.
An exception can be made for no more than one staff person at each site, and that
person shall successfully complete a first aid and CPR course within four weeks of
starting work.
G. Coordinators and Leaders must pass a background investigation including testing for
illegal substances.
H. Specialist, Coordinators and Leaders must complete S hours of child care training per
calendar year. Training must be completed prior to their start date of child care
programs and completed on an annual basis.
9. Coordinators and Leader Responsibilities
A. Coordinator and Leaders will be responsible to provide participants with an
environment in which they can feel safe, can enjoy wholesome recreation activities,
and can participate in appropriate social opportunities with their peers.
B. Coordinators and Leaders will be responsible to know and follow all City,
Departmental, and Program standards, policies, and procedures that apply to City of
Denton Youtl�/Teen Programs.
C. Coordinators and Leaders must ensure tliat participants are released only to a parent
or an adult designated by the parent. All Program sites will have a copy of the
Department approved plan to verify the identity of a person authorized to pick up a
participant if that person is not known to the Coordinator and Leader.
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10. Training/Orientation
A. The Department is responsible for providing training and orientation to Program
Employee's in working with children and for specific job responsibilities. Managers
will provide each Specialist, Coordinator and Leader with a Program manual specific
to each Youtl�/Teen Program. On-line child care training may be completed in lieu of
departmental training for 3 hours of the required 8 hours per year.
B. Program employees must be familiar with the Standards of Care for Youth/Teen
Program operation as adopted by the City Council.
C. Program employees must be familiar with the Program's policies including
discipline, guidance, and release of participants as outlined in the Program Manual.
D. Program employees will be trained in appropriate procedures to handle emergencies.
E. Program employees will be trained in areas including City, Departmental, and
Program policies and procedures, provision of recreation activities, safety issues,
child psychology, and organization.
F. Program employees will be required to sign an acknowledgment that they received
the required training.
OPERATIONS
11. Staff-Participant Ratio
A. In a City of Denton Youth/Teen Program, the standard ratio of participants to Leaders
will be 17 to 1. In the event a Leader is unable to report to the Program site, a
replacement will be assigned.
B. Each participant shall have a Program employee who is responsible for him or her
and who is aware of the participant's habits, interests, and any special problems as
identified by the participant's parent(s) during the registration process.
12. Discipline
A. Program employees will implement discipline and guidance in a consistent
manner based on the best interests of Program participants.
B. There must be no cruel or harsh punishment or treatment.
C. Program employees may use brief, supervised separation from the group if necessary.
D. As necessary, Program employees will initiate discipline reports to the parent(s) of
participants. Parents will be asked to sign discipline reports to indicate they have
been advised about specific problems or incidents.
E. A sufficient number and/or severe nature of discipline reports as detailed in the
Program Manual may result in participant being suspended from the Program.
F. In instances where there is a danger to participants or staff, offending participants
will be removed from the Program site as soon as possible.
13. Programming
A. Program employees will attempt to provide activities for each group according to the
participants' ages, interests, and abilities. The activities must be appropriate to
participants' health, safety, and well-being. The activities also must be flexible and
promote the participants' emotional, social, and mental growth.
B. Program employees will attempt to provide that indoor and outdoor times include:
(1) alternating active and passive activities;
(2) opportunity for individual and group activities; and
(3) outdoor time e�ch day weather permits.
C. Program employees will be attentive and considerate of the participants' safety on
field trips and during any transportation provided by the Program.
(1) During trips, Program employees supervising participants must have
immediate access to emergency medical forms and emergency contact
information for each participant.
(2) Program employees must have a written list of the participants in the group
and must check the roll frequently.
(3) Program employees must have first aid supplies and a guide to first aid and
emergency care available on field trips.
14. Communication
A. Each Program site will have a cell phone to allow the site to be contacted by Parks
and Recreation personnel, and for use in contacting the Civic Center or making
emergency calls.
B. The Coordinator will post the following telephone numbers adj acent to a telephone
accessible to all Program employees at each site:
(1) Denton ambulance or emergency medical services;
(2) City of Denton Police Department;
(3) City of Denton Fire Department;
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(4) Civic Center;
(5) Numbers at which parents may be reached; and
(6) The telephone number for the site itself.
15. Transportation
A. Before a participant may be transported to and from city sponsored activities, a City
waiver form, completed by the parent of the participant, must be filed.
B. First aid supplies will be available in all Program vehicles that transport children.
C. All children must be securely seated in the appropriate safety seat/booster based on
state child safety laws.
C. All Program vehicles used for transporting participants must have available a 6-BC
portable fire extinguisher which will be installed in the passenger compartment of the
vehicle and must be accessible to the adult occupants.
FACILITY STANDARDS
16. Safety
A. Program employees will inspect Program sites daily to detect sanitation and safety
concerns that might affect the health and safety of the participants. A daily
inspection report will be completed by Program employees and kept on file by the
Manager.
B. Buildings, grounds, and equipment on the Program site will be inspected, cleaned,
repaired, and maintained to protect the health of the participants.
C. Program equipment and supplies must be safe for the participants's use.
D. Program employees must have first aid supplies readily available at each site, during
transportation to an off-site activity, and for the duration of any off-site activity.
E. Program air conditioners, electric fans, and heaters must be mounted out of
participants' reach or have safeguards that keep participants from being injured.
F. Program porches and platforms more than 30 inches above the ground must be
equipped with railings participants can reach.
G. All swing seats at Program sites must be constructed of durable, lightweight,
relatively pliable material.
H. Program employees must have first aid supplies readily available to staff in a
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designated location.
17. Fire
A. In case of fire, danger of fire, explosion, or other emergency, Program employees'
first priority is to evacuate the participants to a designated safe area.
B. The Program site will have an annual fire inspection by the local Fire Marshal, and
the resulting report will detail any safety concerns observed. The report will be
forwarded to the Program Manager who will review and establish deadlines and
criteria for compliance. Information from this report will be included in the Program
Manager's annual report to the Council.
C. Each Program site must have at least one fire extinguisher approved by the Fire
Marshal readily available to all Program employees. The fire extinguisher is to be
inspected monthly by the Leaders, and a monthly report will be forwarded to the
Manager who will keep the report on file for a minimum of two yeaxs. All Program
employees will be trained in the proper use of fire extinguishers.
D. Fire drills will be initiated at Program sites based on the following schedule:
(1) After School Program and Middle School After School program: A fire drill
once every three months.
(2) Spring Break Camp and Holiday Camp: A fire drill once during the
session.
(3) Summer Camp: A fire drill twice during the session.
(4) Teen Camp: A fire drill once during session
18. Health
A. Illness or Injury
(1) A participant who is considered to be health or safety concern to other
participant's or employees will not be admitted to the Program.
(2) Illnesses and injuries will be handled in a manner to protect the health of a11
participants and employees.
(3) Program employees will follow plans to provide emergency care for injured
participants with symptoms of an acute illness as specified in the Program
manual.
(4) Program employees will follow the recommendation of the Texas Department
of Health concerning the admission or readmission of any participant after a
communicable disease.
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B. Program employees will administer medication only if:
(2) Parent(s) complete and sign a medication form that provides authorization for
staff to dispense medication with details as to time and dosages. The form
will include a hold harmless clause to protect the City.
(3) Prescription medications are in the original containers labeled with the child's
name, a date, directions, and the physician's name. Program employees will
administer the medication only as stated on the label. Program employees
will not administer medication after the expired date.
(3) Nonprescription medications are labeled with the child's name and the date
the medication was brought to the Program. Nonprescription medication
must be in the original container. Program employees will administer it only
according to label direction.
(4) Medication dispensed will be limited to routine oral ingestion not requiring
special knowledge or skills on the part of Program employees,
(5) Program employees must ensure medications axe inaccessible to participants
or, if it is necessary to keep medications in the refrigerator (when available),
medications will be kept separate from food.
(6) Children who may require epi-pen inj ections due to severe allergic reactions
must complete an Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan (AEAP) before their
child starts the program. Staff will administer the epi-pen in case of
emergency based on the instructions stated on the AEAP.
C. Toilet Facilities
(1) The Program site will have inside toilets located and equipped so children can
use them independently and Program staff can supervise as needed.
(2) There must be one (1) flush toilet for every 30 children. Urinals may be
counted in the ratio of toilets to children, but they must not exceed 50% of the
total number of toilets.
(3) An appropriate and adequate number of lavatories will be provided.
D. Sanitation
(1) The Program facilities must have adequate light, ventilation, and heat.
(2) The Program must have an adequate supply of water meeting the standards of
the Texas Department of Health for drinking water and ensure that it will be
supplied to the participants in a safe and sanitary manner.
(3) Program employees must see that garbage is removed from buildings daily.
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