2017-130s:\legal\our documen ts\ordinances\17\parks standards ofcare. docx
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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 Summer 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
Will -"I' 1"AS, on _ .n day of � , 2017, the City of Denton held a
public Hearing on the Above. Standards of Care as 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
_["S—
day of _...........® 2017.
__
1 � I ,'S WA '1 S, MAYOR
S:\Lcgal\OLir Doctinicills\Ordiimnccs\17\Pirks StaiidHTds of Care docs
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
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BY:
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Standards of Care
General Administration
3
Organization
3
Definitions
4
Inspections
4
Enrollment
5
Suspected Abuse
6
Staffing - Responsibilities and Training
6
Youth/Teen/Center Supervisor Qualifications
6
Supervisor's Responsibilities
6
Coordinator's Qualifications
7
Program Coordinator's Responsibilities
7
Program Specialist & Leader Qualifications
7
Specialist and Leader Responsibilities
8
Training/Orientation
8
Operations
9
Staff -Participant Ratio
9
Discipline
9
Programming
9
Communication
10
Transportation
10
Facility Standards
11
Safety
11
Fire
11
Health
12
Toilet Facilities
13
Sanitation
13
*Programs include: After School Action Site, King Kids Camp, Camp Voyage, Camp
Exploration, Super Kids, KDO's, Holiday Camps, Spring Break Camps, and Teen Camps
Any questions related to Standards of Care should be addressed to the Youth -Teen
Program Area Manager at 940-349-8731.
2
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
listed in this Standards of Care are recreational in nature and are not licensed day care programs.
The City of Denton's recreational/camp programs are exempt from licensing under Texas
Administrative Code 745.115(3).
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
After School Action Site, Holiday Break Camps, Spring Break Camps, Kids Day
Off, King Kids Camp, Camp Voyage, Camp Exploration, Super Kids, and Teen
Summer 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. Parents of participants will be provided the website address of where a current copy
of the Standards of Care is located.
F. Criminal background checks will be conducted on prospective staff. 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 lI 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 After School Action Site, Holiday Break Camps, Spring Break Camps, Kids Day
Off, King Kids Camp, Camp Voyage, Camp Exploration, Super Kids, 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
Manager who has been assigned administrative responsibility for City of Denton
Youth/Teen Programs.
H Youth/Teen Supervisor or Center Supervisor: City of Denton Parks and Recreation
Department full-time employee who has been assigned responsibility to implement
the City's Youth/Teen Programs.
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) or Staff. 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 Youth/Teen Programs.
Inspections/Monitoring/Enforcement
A. A monthly inspection report will be initiated by the Supervisor 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
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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.
B. The Supervisor 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) Camp Exploration, Camp Voyage, King Kids Camp, and Super Kids will
be inspected twice during the summer break.
(4) Teen Camp Program will be inspected once during the summer break;
(5) The Kids Day Off will be inspected two times a year;
C. Complaints regarding enforcement of the Standards of Care will be directed to the
Supervisor. The Supervisor will be responsible to take the necessary steps to resolve
the problems. Complaints regarding enforcement of the Standards of Care and their
resolution will be recorded by the Coordinator or Specialist. 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 make an annual report on the overall status of the
Youth/Teen Programs and their operation relative to compliance with the Standards
of Care. This can be provided to City Council by request.
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.
6. Youth/Teen or Center Supervisor ("Supervisor") Qualifications
A. Supervisor will be full-time, professional employees of the City of Denton Parks and
Recreation Department and will be required to have all Program Leader or
Coordinator qualifications as outlined in Section 10 of the document.
B. Supervisor must be at least 21 years old.
C. Supervisor 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. Supervisor must have five years experience planning and implementing recreational
activities.
E. Supervisor must pass a background investigation including testing for illegal
substances.
F. Supervisor 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. Supervisor must also complete a course in Defensive
Driving.
G. Supervisor must complete 10 hours of child care training per calendar year,
7. Supervisor's Responsibilities
A. Supervisor's are responsible to administer the Programs' daily operations in
compliance with the adopted Standards of Care.
B. Supervisor's are responsible to recommend for hire, supervise, and evaluate
Specialist, Coordinators and Leaders.
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C. Supervisor's are responsible to plan, implement, and evaluate programs..
Program Coordinator ("Coordinator") Qualifications
A. Coordinator will be full-time, professional employees of the City of Denton Parks
and Recreation Department and will be required to have all Program Leader or
Specialist qualifications as outlined in Section 10 of the document except for
section 10A.
B. Coordinator must have two years of experience planning and implementing
recreational activities.
C. Coordinators must complete 8 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. Coordinator Responsibilities
A. Coordinator's are responsible to assist in the administration of the Programs'
daily operations in compliance with the adopted Standards of Care.
B. Coordinator's are responsible to assist in the recommendation for hiring,
supervising, and evaluating Specialist and Leaders.
C. Coordinator's are responsible to assist in the planning, implementing, and
evaluating programs.
D. Coordinator's will be required to provide all Program Leader or Specialist
responsibilities as outlined in Section 11 of the document.
10. Program Specialist ("Specialist"} and Leader ("Leader") Qualifications
A. Specialists and Leaders will be part-time or temporary employees of the Parks and
Recreation Department.
B. Specialists and Leaders working with children must be age 18 or older.
C. Specialists and Leaders should be able to consistently exhibit competency, good
judgment, and self-control when working with children.
D. Specialists and Leaders must relate to children with courtesy, respect, tolerance, and
patience.
E. Specialists and Leaders must have successfully completed a course in first aid, CPR,
and AED training 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
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within four weeks of starting work.
F. Specialists and Leaders must pass a background investigation including testing for
illegal substances.
G. Specialists and Leaders must complete 8 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.
11. Specialists and Leader Responsibilities
A. Specialists 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. Specialists and Leaders will be responsible to know and follow all City,
Departmental, and Program standards, policies, and procedures that apply to City of
Denton Youth/Teen Programs.
C. Specialists and Leaders must ensure that 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 Specialist and Leader.
12. 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.
Supervisors will provide each Coordinator, Specialist, and Leader with a Program
manual specific to each Youth/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 development, and organization.
F. Program employees will be required to sign an acknowledgment that they received
the required training.
M901%VY[INKI
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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 each day weather permits.
C. Program employees will be attentive and considerate of the participants' safety on
1
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.
16. Communication
A. Each Program employee will have the option to use their own cell phone device or
use a city provided cell phone to allow the staff to be contacted by Parks and
Recreation personnel, and for use in contacting the Supervisor, Coordinator,
Specialist or making emergency calls.
B. The Coordinator or Specialist will post the following telephone numbers adjacent 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;
(4) Civic Center, Recreation Centers, and McMath;
(5) Numbers at which parents may be reached; and
(5) The telephone number for the site itself.
17. 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.
D. 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.
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18. 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
Supervisor.
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
designated location.
19. 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 years. 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: A fire drill once every three months.
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(2) Spring Break Camp and Holiday Camp: A fire drill once during the
session.
(3) Camp Exploration, Camp Voyage, King Kids Camp, and Super Kids: A
fire drill twice during the session.
(4) Teen Camp: A fire drill once during session
20. 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 all
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.
B. Program employees will administer medication only if.
(1) Parent(s) complete and sign a medication form that provides authorization
for employee to dispense medication with details as to time and dosages.
The form will include a hold harmless clause to protect the City.
(2) Parent(s) complete and sign a medication form that provides authorization
for employee 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.
(4) 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 only administer
nonprescription medications if a doctor's note is provided and only according
to label direction.
(5) Medication dispensed will be limited to routine oral ingestion not requiring
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special knowledge or skills on the part of Program employees.
(6) Program employees must ensure medications are inaccessible to participants
or, if it is necessary to keep medications in the refrigerator (when available),
medications will be kept separate from food.
(7) Children who may require epi -pen injections 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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