18-386ORDINANCE NO. 1$-3$6
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 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
ublic hearin on the ab v�e St�ndards of f'�N �; a���� -� 2018, the City of Denton held a
WHEREAS, on ��" M da of ��� %� �' ,�'
p g 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 ��° �
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day of ���,��
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�C'1�: t C� ��a��"�"�ATTS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
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�^`�;����'� AS TO LEGAL FORM:
AARON I�T^;�I�, CITY ATTORNEY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Standards of Care
General Administration
Organization
Definitions
Inspections
Enrollment
Suspected Abuse
Staffing - Responsibilities and Training
Youth/Teen/Center Supervisor Quali�cations
Supervisor's Responsibilities
Coordinator's Qualifcations
Program Coordinator's Responsibilities
Program Specialist & Leader Qualifications
Specialist 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, 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
Recreation Supervisor at 940-349-8730.
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The following Standards of Care have been adopted by the City Council ofthe 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).
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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 staffreview a current copy
of the Standards of Care.
�;. 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 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 af Denton.
D, Youth/Teen Pragrams or Program: City of Denton Youth/Teen Programs consisting of After
Schaol Action Site, Holiday Break Camps, Spring Break Camps, Kids Day Off, King Kids
Camp, Camp Voyage, Camp Exploratian, Super Kids, and Teen Summer Camp programs.
E. Program Manual: Notebook of policies, procedures, required forms, and organizational and
programming informatian relevant to City of Denton Programs.
P. Director: City of Denton Parks and Recreation Department Director ar his or her designee.
G. Program Manager: City af Denton Parks and Recreatian Department full-time Manager who
has been assigned administrative responsibility for City of Denton Camp Pragrams.
H Youth/Teen 5upervisar or Center Supervisor: City of Denton Parks and Recreation
Department full-time employee who has been assigned responsibility to implement the City's
Yauth/Teen Pragrams.
I. Program Site: Area and facilities where City of Denton Yauth/Teen Programs are held
consisting af Civic Center, Martin Luther King Recreation Center, Denia Recreatian Center,
North Lakes Recreation Center, and McMath Middle School.
Participant: A yauth/teen whase parent(s) have campleted all required registration procedures
and determined to be eligible for a City of Denton Youth/Teen Pragram.
K. Parent(s): This term will be used to represent one or both parent(s) ar adults who have legal
custody and authority ta enroll their child(ren)/teen(s} in City of Dentan Youth/Teen
Pragrams.
L. Emplayee(s) ar Staff: Term used to describe people who have been hired to work far the City
af Denton and have assigned responsibility far managing, administeririg, or implementing
some portian of the City of Denton Youth/Teen Pragrams.
Inspectians/Manitoring/Enforcement
A. A monthly inspection report will be initiated by the Supervisor ar Coordinatar af each
Program to confirm the Standards of Care are being adhered to.
(1) Inspectian reports will be sent to the Program Manager for review and kept on record
for at least two (2) years.
(2) The Program Manager will review the repart and establish deadlines and criteria far
campliance with the Standards af Care.
B. The Supervisor will make visual inspections af 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
haliday schedule; and
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(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 (2) 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 shall be
provided to City Council upon request,
4. Bnrollment
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 Release of Liability Waiver signed by the child's parent, legal guardian or
caregiver.
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 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 twenty-one (21) years old.
C. Supervisar 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 Administratian or General Recreation;
(2) Physical Education; and
(3) any other comparable degree plan that would lend itself to warking in a public
recreation environment.
. Supervisor must have five (5) years of experience in planning and implementing recreational
activities.
Ee Supervisor must pass a background investigation including testing far illegal substances.
�`e 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 ten (10) haurs of child care training per calendar year,
7. Supervisar's Respansibilities
A, Supervisors are responsible far administering the Program's daily operations in compliance
with the adopted Standards af Care pravided herein.
B, Supervisars are responsible for hiring, supervising, and evaluating Specialist, Coordinatars
and Leaders.
C. Supervisars are responsible far planning, implementing, and evaluating programs.
Program Coordinator (66Coordinator") Qualifications
,�. Coordinatar will be full-time, professional emplayees of the City of Denton Parks
and Recreation Department and will be required ta have all Pragram Leader or Specialist
qualifications as outlined in Section 10 of the document except for section l 0A.
�, Coardinatar must have two (2) years of experience in planning and implementing
recreational activities.
C, Caordinatars must complete eight (8) hours af 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.
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Coordinator Responsibilities
A. Coordinators are responsible for assisting in the administration of the Program's daily
operations in compliance with the adopted Standards of Care.
B. Coordinators are responsible for assisting in the recommendation for hiring, supervising,
and evaluating Specialist and Leaders.
C. Coordinators are responsible for assisting in the planning, implementing, and evaluating
programs.
D. Coordinators will be required to provide all Program Leader or Specialist
with their responsibilities as outlined in Section 11 of the document.
10. Program Specialist (66SpecialisY'} and Leader ("Leader") Qualifcations
A. Specialists and Leaders will be part-time or temporary employees ofthe 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 frst aid and CPR course 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 ofthe Department approved plan
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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 respansible 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.
�. Program employees must be familiar with the Standards of Care for Youth/Teen Program
operation as adopted by the City Council.
�. Program employees must be familiar with the Program's policies including discipline,
guidance, and release of participants as outlined in the Program Manual,
I7. Program employees will be trained in utilizing 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.
�', Program employees will be required to sign an acknowledgment that they received the
required training.
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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.
�. 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
participanYs 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 suff�cient number and/or severe nature of discipline reports as detailed in the Pragram
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, which 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 ofthe participants' safety on field trips
and during any transportation provided under 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 staffto be contacted by Parks and Recreation personnel, and
for use in contacting the Supervisor, Coordinator, Specialist or making emergency calls.
�. 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 far transporting participants must have available a 6-BC portable
fire extinguisher which will be installed in the passenger compartment ofthe 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
transpartation 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
mater►al.
H. Program employees must have frst aid supplies readily available to staff in a designated
location.
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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 (1) fire extinguisher approved by the Fire Marshal
readily available to all Program employees. The fre extinguisher is to be inspected monthly
by the Leader 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 emplayees 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 fre drill once every three months.
(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�re drill once during session,
20. Health
A. Illness or Injury
(1) A participant who has an illness, injury or medical condition to the extent that
admittance to the Program would create a health or safety concern to other
participant's or employees will not be admitted to the Program provided a reasonable
accommodation cannot be offered to alleviate such concerns.
(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.
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(2) 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
tnedicatian 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.
(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 are 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 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
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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