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Ord. 1443 2011-01-24BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS: Section 1. That the Youth Programs Standards of Care Policy, attached hereto as exhibit "A is hereby approved. Section 2. Repealer. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed but only to the extent of such conflict. 2011. ATTEST: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, ADOPTING A STANDARDS OF CARE POLICY FOR THE CITY'S YOUTH PROGRAMS. PASSED and APPROVED ON FIRST READING this the 24 day of January, A. D., APPROVED AS TO FORM: DARRIN M. COKER CITY ATTORNEY ORDINANCE NO. 1443 TOM REID MAYOR ORDINANCE NO. 1443 February, A. D., 2011. ATTEST: PASSED and APPROVED ON SECOND AND FINAL READING this the 14 day of APPROVED AS TO FORM: DARRIN M. COKER CITY ATTORNEY T• EID MAYOR 2r-Le PURPOSE THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS OF CARE The following Standards of Care are intended to be minimum standards by which the City of Pearland Parks and Recreation Department will operate the City's Youth Programs for children for a minimum of 3 hours at a time and for ages 5- 13 years. These are basic childcare regulations for programs operated by the City of Pearland. The programs operated by the City are recreational in nature and are not day care programs. These Standards of Care will allow the department to ensure the safety of children participating in programs. They will also enable the department to provide consistency in our delivery of service as it relates to caring for the youth of the community. The Standards of Care will be reviewed and adopted annually by Council. I. GENERAL INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION A. Organization Exhibit "A" Ordinance No. 1443 According to the City Charter the City of Pearland is a council manager government where in the elective members of Council appoints the City Manager. The elected members "City Council" enact local legislation, adopt budgets, determine policies, and appoint the City Manager who is responsible for the execution of the laws and the administration of the government of the city. B. Implementation The City Manager designates the operations and implementation of the Youth Programs Standards of Care as the responsibility of the Director of Parks and Recreation and designees. C. Application Programs to which these Standards of Care will apply are: (Ages 5 -13 years for a minimum of 3 hours) Day Camps After School Programs D. Access to Standards 1. Each site will have a current copy of the Standards of Care available for public and staff review. 2. Parents will be able to view the Standards of Care on- line and it will also be available upon request. Youth Program Standards of Care Page 1 THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT E. Program Objectives for Youth Programs: YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS OF CARE 1. To offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities including, but not limited to; arts and crafts, music, sports, camps, etc. 2. To provide a pleasant, memorable, educational and fun experience in a positive environment. 3. To provide the safest environment possible. 4. To educate, instill self confidence, teach teamwork skills and Character Counts curriculum to children through education and recreation, in an effort to meet emotional, physical and social needs. II. STAFFING A. Specific Job Requirements 1. Day Camp /Afterschool Leaders Essential Job Functions 1. Leaders direct and supervise a day camp afterschool program for ages 5 -13 years. 2. Develop and implement a daily curriculum under Parks and Recreation guidelines. 3. Responsible for ensuring activities are conducted in a safe manner. 4. Responsible for all related record keeping. 5. Supervise and interact with participants in a wide variety of recreational activities. 6. Responsible for communicating needs to supervisors. 7. Interact with participants, parents, and other staff to provide a high quality program. 8. Responsible for maintaining facility appearance during and after camp afterschool. 9. Responsible for reporting any incidents /accidents to supervisor. Minimum Qualifications 1. Must be mature, responsible, and able to complete duties with minimal supervision. 2. Must have a high school diploma or GED. 3. Must be able to communicate with the public and skilled at interacting with children. 4. Must be skilled in supervising children of varying age levels in a group setting. Youth Program Standards of Care Page 2 THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT C. Drug Screening YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS OF CARE 5. Must have a valid Texas driver's license and eligible for a CDL. 6. Must pass a department criminal background check and drug screening. 7. Must have previous experience in supervising children and posses knowledge of recreational games, crafts, and activities. 8. Must have First Aid and CPR certification prior to camp start date. 9. City employees must complete departmental training. B. Criminal Background Checks *These are minimum standard checks in addition to the City's background checks. Criminal Background Checks will be conducted on prospective Youth Program Employees or Contract employees. If results of the check indicate that an applicant has been convicted of any of the following offenses, he or she will not be considered for employment: a felony a misdemeanor pertaining to the following: public indecency delivery /distribution of a controlled substance possession of a controlled substance within the last 10 years. All prospective city employees will be subject to a drug test prior to hiring. D. Minimum Staff Ratios The number of children may not exceed staff by a minimum ratio of 1 staff per 15 children, ages 5 -13. E. Training 1. The Department is responsible for providing training and orientation to all program leaders in working with children and for specific job responsibilities. 2. Employees will be trained on the provision of recreation activities and games. Youth Program Standards of Care Page 3 THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS OF CARE 3. All leaders must be familiar with the Standards of Care for Youth Programs. 4. Program employees will be trained in appropriate procedures to handle emergencies, including but not limited to first aid, CPR, and evacuation /lockdown. 5. Leaders will be trained in City and Department policies and procedures. III. FACILITY STANDARDS A. Safety Measures 1. Emergency evacuation and relocation plans will be posted at each facility. 2. Each site will have a fully stocked first aid kit. 3. In a situation where evacuation is necessary, the first priority of staff is to make sure all participants are in a safe location. 4. All sites will be equipped with the appropriate number of fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers shall be inspected annually to ensure they are in working order. B. Inspections 1. Program employees will inspect sites daily for sanitation or safety concerns. Any and all concerns should be passed on to the site director immediately. A daily report will be completed and kept on file. 2. A daily inspection will be made of all equipment and supplies C. Health and Sanitation 1. All indoor sites will have toilets located and equipped where children can use them independently and staff can supervise as needed. 2. There must be one flush toilet for every 30 children. 3. The site must have an adequate supply of water and ensure that it will be provided to participants in a safe and sanitary manner. IV. SERVICE STANDARDS A. Appearance and Behavior 1. Staff name badges and uniforms will be worn and clearly visible. 2. Participants and parents will be treated with respect at all times. Youth Program Standards of Care Page 4 THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS OF CARE B. Communication with Parents 1. Staff will keep parents continuously informed of the activities and schedules. A weekly schedule will be available for parents upon request and copies will be kept with the daily sign in sheets. 2. Staff will note details of the behavior of participants (accomplishments, discipline problems, general activities, etc.) and provide updates accordingly. C. Additional Staff Responsibilities 1. Staff will monitor the sign in /out log at all times 2. Staff will offer solutions to problems that may arise. In the event no resolution can be made, the supervisor shall be required to intervene. All situations left unresolved will be addressed within 24 hours. 3. Prior to beginning work each day all staff will report to the appointed location for any messages, instructions or information. V. OPERATIONAL ISSUES A. Emergency phone numbers are kept at the front desk of the facilities, as well as with the leaders on any field trips. Those numbers include fire, police and ambulance service, administration, Community Centers and all supervisors. A list of cell phone numbers will also be made available. B. A Program manual is given to every staff member. The manual will include the following: 1. Discipline Policy 2. Rules and Regulations 3. Forms 4. Standards 5. Game, activity leadership 6. Guidelines for interacting with children 7. Program Goals and Objectives 8. Departments Mission and Vision C. Sign in and out sheets will be used everyday. Only adults listed on the sign in /out release will be allowed to pick up a child. An authorized person must sign the sheet in order for staff to release the child. D. Parents will be notified regarding planned field trips and provided the required release forms. Youth Program Standards of Care Page 5 THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS OF CARE E. There will be a general staff to participant ratio of 1 staff to every 15 children. The Afterschool Program, Camp and Field Trips will vary. F. Enrollment information will be kept and maintained for each child and shall include: Child's name, birth date, home address, home telephone number, and any phone number where parents maybe reached during the day Parent's names, address and phone number Names and telephone numbers of persons to whom the child can be released Liability Waiver Medical Information and release on participant Field Trip /Transportation release form as needed G. Discipline 1. Discipline and guidance of children must be consistent and based on an understanding of individual needs and development. 2. There shall be no harsh, cruel, or unusual treatment. 3. Program employees may use brief, supervised separation from the group if necessary. 4. Incident reports will be filled out on any disciplinary cases, and information is to be shared with parents when picking up the child or sooner when circumstances warrant it. 5. A sufficient number and /or severe nature of discipline reports, as detailed in the Program Manual, may result in a participant being suspended from the program. 6. In instances where there is a danger to participants or staff, offending participants will be removed from the program site as soon as possible. 7. Program participants must adhere to the Parks and Recreation Department Behavior Policy. H. Illness or Injury 1. Participants who are considered to be a health or safety concern to other participants or employees will not be permitted into to the program. 2. Staff shall immediately notify the parent or other person authorized by the parent when the child is injured or has been involved in any situation which placed the child at risk. 3. An ill child will not be allowed to participate if the child is suspected of having a temperature and /or accompanied Youth Program Standards of Care Page 6 THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS OF CARE by behavior changes or other signs or symptoms until medical evaluation indicates that the child can be included in the activities. 4. Illness and injuries will be handled in a manner to protect the health of all participants and employees. 5. When injury occurs, an incident/accident report shall be filled out completely and immediately after the incident. 6. Staff shall notify parents or authorized persons of children in the facility when there is an outbreak of a communicable disease in the facility, required to be reported to the County Department of Health. Staff must notify parents of children in a group there is an outbreak of lice or other infestation in the group. I. Transportation 1. Before participants are transported to and from a City sponsored activity, a transportation release form must be completed by the parents. 2. Program staff will carry all participant information forms when away from the program site. 3. First aid supplies will be available in any vehicle transporting program participants. VI. ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMING A. The program will provide activities for each group according to the participant's age, interest, and abilities. The activities should be flexible and promote the emotional, social, and educational advancement of each participant. B. Programs will include indoor and outdoor activities. C. Programs will include a balance of active and passive activities, as well as group /individual activities. VII. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN A. A child is not allowed to use the telephone unless it is an emergency. In this case, staff should make the call for the child. B. Children must walk in the building. Running is only permitted in the gym or for specific activities. C. Children must respect staff, each other, and themselves. Youth Program Standards of Care Page 7 THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT VIII. MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT Review and Revision History Created September 2010 YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS OF CARE D. Children must wear shoes at all times unless otherwise directed. E. Programs in facilities where the general public has access to the facility will assign staff to remain with the youth participants at all times (bathrooms, lunch breaks, activities, etc.) Children are to be supervised at all times. F. Staff must know where each and every child is AT ALL TIMES. A. To confirm and ensure the Standards of Care are being adhered to, each program supervisor will complete a weekly inspection report. The reports will be reviewed and sent to the Recreation Superintendent. B. The supervisor in charge of programs will make visual inspections of all program sites on a biweekly basis. C. The program supervisor will review all reports and inspections with the Recreation Superintendent and deadlines and criteria for compliance will be set. D. Complaints regarding enforcement of the Standards of Care will be directed to the program supervisor. The supervisor will be responsible to take the necessary steps to resolve the problems. Complaints will be recorded and reported to the Recreation Superintendent. The resolution to the complaint will be reported and kept on file. E. An annual report will be made to the City Council on the overall status of the Youth Programs Standards of Care and their operation relative to compliance with the adopted Standards of Care. Youth Program Standards of Care Page 8