23-532ORDINANCE NO. 23-532
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON ADOPTING STANDARDS OF CARE FORRECREATIONAL CARE PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY DENTON’S PARKS ANDRECREATION DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO TEXAS HUMAN RESOURCES CODE
SECTION 42.041 (b)(14); AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Denton (the “City”) recognizes 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, through its Parks 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 must adopt Standards of Care for these recreational programs
pursuant to Section 42.041 (b)(14) of the Texas Human Resources Code; and
WHEREAS, the City has formulated a Standards of Care, attached and incorporated to this
ordinance 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
A p,I t , 2023, th, City h,Id , p„bli,WHEREAS, on the j8tk day of
hearing on the above Standards of Care as requResources Code; NOW THEREFORE,
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THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The recitals in the preamble of this ordinance are incorporated into the bodyof this ordinance.
SECTION 2. The City adopts the Standards of Care for Recreational Care Programs
pursuant to Section 42.041 (b)(14) of the Texas Human Resources Code which is attached as
Exhibit 4 and incorporated herein.
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
approval.
Th,m,ti,„t, ,pp„„,thi, „di„„„, w„m,d,by BrIAn hk
by Jcgs, DA, fs ; th, ,rdin,n„ w„ p„„d
following vote L( - DJ:
and seconded
and approved by the
Aye Nay Abstain Absent
Mayor Gerard Hudspeth :
Vicki Byrd, District 1 :
Brian Beck. District 2 :
Jesse Davis. District 3 :
VACANT. District 4 :
Brandon Chase McGee, At Large Place 5 :
Chris Watts, At Large Place 6:
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PASSED AND APPROVED thI, th, Iq+L d,y ,fAX
&#GERARD HUDSPETH, MAYOR
, 2023.
ATTEST:
JESUS SALAZAR, INTERIM CITY L\111111OF
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM: MACK""""''–
BY:
Page 2 of 2
UNITE. GROW
DENTON
City of Denton
Parks and Recreation
Standards of Care
2023-2024
Table of Contents
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION .................................................................................................. 31. Organization......................................................................................................................... 32. 1)efinitions............................................................................................................................ 3
3. Inspections/Monitoring/Enforcement .................................................................................. 44. Enrollment................................................................................................................,........... 4
5. Suspected Abuse .................................................................................................................. 5STAFFING - RESPONSIBILITIES AND TRAINING ................................................................. 5
6. Rec Care Supervisor (“Supervisor”) Qualifications ............................................................ 5
7. Supervisor’s Responsibilities............................................,.................................................. 5
8. Program Coordinator (“Coordinator”) Qualifications .................................................,....... 69. Coordinator Responsibilities ............................................................................................ 6
10. Program Employee Qualifications ................................................................................... 6
ll . Program Employee/Staff Responsibilities ....................................................................... 612. Training/Orientation .........................................................................................,............... 7OPERATIONS................................................................................................................,............... 7
13. Staff-Participant Ratio ...................................................................................................... 714. Discipline ......................................................................................................................... 715. Prograrnrning .................................................................................................................... 816. Communication ................................................................................................................ 8
17. Transportation ....,........,....................................,.............,........................................,,....... 818, Volunteers .....,..,.........,........................................,............................................................ 9FACILITY STANDARDS ............................................................................................................. 919. Safety................................................................................................................................ 920. Fire ................................................................................................................................... 921. Health ............................................................................................................................. 10
Any questions related to Standards of Care should be addressed to the Rec Care Supervisor at
(940) 349-8730.
CITY OF DENTON PARKS AND RECREATIONSTANDARDS OF CARE
The following Standards of Care have been adopted by the City Council of the City of Denton,
Texas 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 Recreational Care (Rec
Care) Programs. The programs listed in this Standards of Care are recreational in nature and are
not licensed daycare programs or childcare programs. The City of Denton’s rec care/camp
programs are exempt from licensing under Texas Administrative Code 745.115(3).
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
1.ORGANIZATION
A.
B.
C.
The governing body of the City of Denton Parks and Recreation Programs is the City of
Denton City Council.Implementation of the Rec Care Programs Standards of Care is the responsibility of the
Parks and Recreation Department Director and Departmental employees.
Rec Care Programs (“Program”) to which these Standards of Care will apply are After
School Action Site, Holiday Break Camps, Spring Break Camps, Kids Day Off, Teens’
Day Off, Camp Discovery, Camp Conquest, Camp Journey, Camp Voyage, Camp
Exploration, Super Kids, Counselors in Training, and Teen Summer Camp programs.
Each Rec Care Program site will have available for public and staff review, a current
copy of the Standards of Care.
Parents of participants will be provided the website address of where a current copy ofthe Standards of Care is located.
Criminal background checks will be conducted on prospective employees. No personwith conviction, or who is under indictment, 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 ofcurrent Appendix II is attached as Exhibit A.
D.
E.
F.
2. DEF[NITIONS
A
BCD.
City: City of Denton.
City Council: City Council of the City of Denton.
Department: Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Denton.
Rec Care Programs or Program: City of Denton Rec Care Programs consisting of After
School Action Site, Holiday Break Camps, Spring Break Camps, Kids’ Day Off, Teens’
Day Off, Camp Discovery, Camp Conquest, Camp Journey, Camp Voyage, Camp
Exploration, Super Kids, Counselors in Training and Teen Summer Camp programs.
Program Manual: Notebook of policies, procedures, required forms, and organizational
and programming information relevant to City of Denton Programs.
E
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F.
G.
Director: City of Denton Parks and Recreation Department Director or his or her
designee.
Program Manager: City of Denton Parks and Recreation Department full-time manager
who has been assigned administrative responsibility for City of Denton Rec Care
Programs.
Recreation Supervisor or Coordinator: City of Denton Parks and Recreation Department
full-time employee who has been assigned responsibility to implement the City’s Rec
Care Programs.
Program Site: Area and facilities where City of Denton Rec Care Programs are held
consisting of Denton 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 Rec Care Program.
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 Rec Care
Programs.
Program Employee(s), 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 Rec Care Programs.
H.
1.
J.
K.
L.
3.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.
i. Inspection reports will be kept on record for at least three years.
ii. The Recreation Supervisor will review the report and establish deadlines and
criteria for compliance with the Standards of Care.
The Recreation Supervisor or Coordinators - will make visual inspections of the Program
based on the following schedule:
Each After School Program site will be inspected bimonthly
The Holiday & Spring Break Camp Program will be inspected once during its
holiday schedule; and Camp Exploration, Camp Voyage, Camp Discovery, Camp
Conquest, Camp Journey, and Super Kids will be inspected twice during the
summer break.
Teen Camp Program and Counselors in Training will be inspected once during thesummer break.
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iv. The Kids’ Day Off and Teens’ Day Off will be inspected two times a year.
Complaints regarding enforcement of the Standards of Care will be directed to the
Recreation Supervisor. The Recreation 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 Recreation 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.
B.
li.
Iii.
C.
4. ENROLLMENT
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A. Before a child is enrolled, a parent must sign registration forms containing the child’s:
i. name, address, home telephone number, email address;
ii. name and address of parents and telephone number during Program hours;
iii. the names of people to whom the child can be released;
iv. a statement of any special concerns, needs, or behavioral matters the child may have;
v. emergency medical authorization;
vi. proof of residency when appropriate; and
vii. a liability waiver.
5. SUSPECTED ABUSE
A. Recreation Staff are mandated by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect in
accordance with the Texas Family Code and to cooperate with authorities in investigating
any suspected abuse or neglect. Any incidents requiring a report to CPS will also be
reported to the Denton Police Department.
STAFFING - RESPONSIBILITIES AND TRAINING
6. REC CARE 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 Employee 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:
i. Recreation Administration or General Recreation;
ii. Physical Education; and
iii. Any other comparable degree plan that would lend itself to working in a publicrecreation environment.
D. Supervisor must have five years of experience planning and implementing recreationalactivities.
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. The supervisor must also complete a course in Defensive Driving.
G. Supervisor must complete 10 hours of childcare training per calendar year.
7. SUPERVISOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES
A.
B.
C
Supervisors are responsible for administering the Programs’ daily operations in compliance
with the adopted Standards of Care.
Supervisors are responsible to recommend for hire, supervise, and evaluate Specialist,
Coordinators and Leaders.
Supervisors are responsible to plan, implement, and evaluate programs.
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8.PROGRAM COORDINATOR (“COORDINATOR”) QUALIFICATIONS
A.
B.
C.
Coordinator(s) 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 IOA.
Coordinator must have two years of experience planning and implementing recreationalactivities.
Coordinators must complete 8 hours of childcare training per calendar year. Training must
be completed prior to their start date of childcare programs and completed on an annualbasis
9. COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
A.
B.
C.
D.
Coordinators are responsible to assist in the administration of the Programs’ daily
operations in compliance with the adopted Standards of Care.
Coordinators are responsible to assist in the recommendation for hiring, supervising, andevaluating Specialist and Leaders.
Coordinators are responsible to assist in the planning, implementing, and evaluating
programs.
Coordinator’s will be required to provide all Program Leader or Specialist responsibilitiesas outlined in Section 11 of the document.
10. PROGRAM EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
A.
BC.
D.
E.
Program employees will be part-time or temporary employees of the Parks and
Recreation Department.
Program employees working with children must be age 18 or older.
Program employees should be able to consistently exhibit competency, good judgment,and self-control when working with children.
Program employees must relate to children with courtesy, respect, tolerance, and
patIence.
Program employees 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, andthat person shall successfully complete a first aid and CPR course within four weeks of
starting work.
Program employees must pass a background investigation including testing for illegalsubstances.
Program employees must complete 8 hours of childcare training per calendar year.
Training must be completed prior to the program employees’ start date of childcare
programs and completed on an annual basis.
F.
G.
11 . PROGRAM EMPLOYEE/STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Program employees will be responsible to provide participants with an environment in
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which they can feel safe, can enjoy wholesome recreation activities, and can participate in
appropriate social opportunities with their peers.
Program employees will be responsible to know and follow all City, Departmental, and
Program standards, policies, and procedures that apply to City of Denton Rec Care
Programs .
Program employees 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.
B.
C.
12. TRAIN[NG/ORIENTATION
A.The Department is responsible for providing training and orientation to employees in
working with children and for specific job responsibilities. Supervisors and Coordinators
will provide each program employee with a program manual specific to each Rec Care
Program. Online childcare 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 Rec Care 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.
Program employees will be trained in appropriate procedures to handle emergencies.
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.
B.
C.
D
E.
F.
OPERATIONS
13. STAFF-PARTICIPANT RATIO
A.
B.
In a City of Denton Rec Care Program, the standard ratio of participants to Program
employees will be 17 to 1. In the event a Program employee 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
participant’s parent(s) during the registration process.
14. DISCIPLINE
A.
BC
D
Program employees will implement discipline and guidance in a consistent manner based
on the best interests of Program participants.
There must be no cruel or harsh punishment or treatment.
Program employees may use brief, supervised separation from the group if necessary.
As necessary, Program employees will initiate discipline reports to the parent(s) of
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participants. Parents will be asked to sign discipline reports to indicate they have been
advised about specific problems or incidents.
A significant number and/or severe nature of discipline reports as detailed in the Program
Manual may result in the participant being suspended from the Program.
In instances where there is a danger to participants or Program employees, offending
participants will be removed from the Program site as soon as possible.
E.
F.
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.
Program employees will attempt to provide that indoor and outdoor times include:
alternating active and passive activities;
opportunity for individual and group activities;. and
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iii. outdoor time each day weather permits
Program employees will be attentive and considerate of the participants’ safety on field
trips and during any transportation provided by the Program.
During trips, Program employees supervising participants must have immediate
access to emergency medical forms and emergency contact information for each
partrcrpant.Program employees must have a written list of the participants in the group and
must check the roll frequently.Program employees must have first aid supplies and a guide to first aid and
emergency care available on field trips.
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B.
C.
111.
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 Program employees to be contacted by Parks and
Recreation personnel, and for use in contacting the Supervisor, Coordinator, or making
emergency calls.
The Supervisor or Coordinator will post the following telephone numbers adjacent to a
telephone accessible to all Program employees at each site:
i. Denton ambulance or emergency medical services;
ii. City of Denton Police Department;
iii. City of Denton Fire Department;
iv. Civic Center, Recreation Centers, Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center, Calhoun
Middle School, Evers Park Elementary School, and McMath Middle School;
Numbers at which parents may be reached; and
The telephone number for the site itself.
B.
V.
Vl.
17. TRANSPORTATION
A. Before a participant may be transported to and from city-sponsored activities, a City waiver
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form, completed by the parent of the participant, must be filed.
First aid supplies will be available in all Program vehicles that transport children.All children must be securely seated in the appropriate safety seat/booster based on
state child safety laws.
All 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 .
B.C.
D.
18. VOLUNTEERS
A.
B
C.
The City of Denton accepts volunteers from AmeriCorps, Foster Grandparents and other
similar organizationsVolunteers are not included in ratio counts
Volunteers Requirements
Pass City background checkWear volunteer identification
Receive site-specific training
Volunteer under the supervision of City staff
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111.
IV .
FACILITY STANDARDS
19. SAFETY
A.
B.
CD.
Program employees will visually inspect Program sites daily to detect sanitation andsafety concerns that might affect the health and safety of the participants.
Buildings, grounds, and equipment on the Program site will be inspected, cleaned,
repaired, and maintained to protect the health of the participants.
Program equipment and supplies must be safe for the participants’ use.
Program employees must have first aid supplies readily available in a designated area at
each site, during transportation to an off-site activity, and for the duration of any off-site
actlvrty .
Program air conditioners, electric fans, and heaters must be mounted out of participants’
reach or have safeguards that keep participants from being injured.
Program porches and platforms more than 30 inches above the ground must be equippedwith railings participants can reach.
All swing seats at Program sites must be constructed of durable, lightweight, relatively
pliable material.
Program employees must have first aid supplies readily available to staff in a designatedlocation.
E.
F.
G.
H.
20. 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
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the Program Manager who will review and establish deadlines and criteria for
compliance.Each site must have at least one fire extinguisher approved by the Fire Marshal readily
available to all employees. The fire extinguisher is to be inspected monthly by the camp
supervisors or counselors; All Program employees will be trained in the proper use of
fire extinguishers.
Fire drills will be initiated at Program sites based on the following schedule:
C.
D.
1.
11.
111.
IV.
After School Program: A fire drill once every three months.
Spring Break Camp and Holiday Camp: A fire drill once during the session.
Camp Exploration, Camp Voyage, Camp Discovery, Camp Conquest, and Super
Kids : A fire drill twice during the session.
Teen Camp and Counselors in Training: A fire drill once during the session.
21. HEALTH
A.Illness or Injury
Illnesses and injuries will be handled in a manner to protect the health of all
participants and employees.
A participant whose illness poses a potential health or safety concern to other
participants or employees will not be admitted to the Program.
Program employees will follow plans to provide emergency care for injuredparticipants with symptoms of an acute illness as specified in the Program manual.
Program employees will follow the recommendation of the Texas Department ofHealth concerning the admission or readmission of any participant after acommunicable disease.
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Program employees will administer medication only if:
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.
Prescription medications are in the original containers labeled with the child’s
name, a current 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.
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.
Medication dispensed will be limited to routine oral ingestion not requiring special
knowledge or skills on the part of Program employees.
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.
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. Program employees will administer the epi-pen in case of emergencybased on the instructions stated on the AEAP.
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V
111.
IV .
B
111.
IV .
Vl.
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C. Toilet Facilities
The Program site will have inside toilets located and equipped so children can use
them independently and Program employees can supervise as needed.
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 oftoilets
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iii. An appropriate and adequate number of lavatories will be provided.D. Sanitation
The Program facilities must have adequate light, ventilation, and heat.
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.
Program employees must see that garbage is removed from buildings daily.
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11.
11,
lli.
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