Presenter: DaJari Patterson, MSW

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SAFETY AND QUALITY STANDARDS SUPERVISION AND
SAFETY GUIDELINES
Presenter DaJari Patterson, MSW Statewide
Recruitment and Retention Manager Presentation
to DFCS and CPA Resource Development
Staff Date December 10, 2013
Georgia Department of Human Services
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Vision, Mission and Core Values

• Vision
• Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia.
• Mission
• Strengthen Georgia by providing Individuals and
  Families access to services that promote
  self-sufficiency, independence, and protect
  Georgia's vulnerable children and adults.
• Core Values
• Provide access to resources that offer support
  and empower Georgians and their families.
• Deliver services professionally and treat all
  clients with dignity and respect. Manage business
  operations effectively and efficiently by
  aligning resources across the agency.
• Promote accountability, transparency and quality
  in all services we deliver and programs we
  administer.
• Develop our employees at all levels of the
  agency.

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Policy Overview

• 14.01-Safety and Quality Standards (SQS)
• 14.18-Supervision of Children
• 14.19-Home Safety

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Safety and Quality Standards (SQS)
More than a CHECKLIST
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PURPOSE OF SQS

• Provide quality services that protect the safety
  and health of the children
• Ensure that all approved caregivers and their
  household members meet the established SQS

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FULL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

• Noted changes
• Demonstrate the maturity, stability, fitness,
  skills and competency to successfully protect,
  nurture and meet the development needs of
  children
• Abstain from the misuse of prescription drugs and
  alcohol
• Be certified in CPR and First Aid prior to
  approval
• Follow the medication management protocol

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MEDICATION MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL

• All children in foster care who are receiving
  psychotropic medication must be monitored in a
  manner that ensures their continued safety and
  well-being.
• Informed consent is to be obtained prior to youth
  taking any new psychotropic medication.
• It is important that Division staff, caregivers,
  and community partners serving children in care
  understand the psychiatric disorder, available
  treatment options, possible side effects, and
  expectations of treatment.
• Review medication logs and obtain copies during
  quarterly visitation.
• The Division will provide to each placement
  provider/caregiver a Medication packet to be used
  which will include
• DFCS Psychotropic Medication Consent Form
• A pre-filled FAX cover page with the contact name
  and number for designated person/s of consent.
• DFCS Medication log form

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SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN
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SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN DEFINITIONS

• Supervision refers to in-home or out of home,
  unreimbursed childcare
• Occasional Care means care provided once a week
  or less with no more than three occurrences
• Routine Care means care provided more than once a
  week, usually at designated times
• Short Term Care means less than four hours

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SCREENINGS
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YOUTH OVER 14

• May be left under their own supervision for short
  periods of time.
• Youth cannot have any mental, physical or
  emotional issues
• Must know emergency process and have emergency
  contact numbers
• Also consider
• Length of time in placement
• Judgment and maturity level
• Demonstration of dependability, responsibility,
  and trustworthiness
• History of emotional/psychological stability,
  running away, delinquent behavior, alcohol and
  substance abuse, and sexual acting out
• Number of youth present in the home, gender,
  relationship with one another
• School performance
• Safety of the home
• Youths ability to contact foster parent or
  emergency contact.

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Reminders

• Help caregivers establish a plan for the care and
  supervision of children placed in their home
• Ensure that substitute caregivers possess the
  necessary skills to manage the parenting and/or
  special needs of the child left in their care
• Caregivers are not to leave children in DFCS
  custody under the supervision of anyone under the
  age of 18.
• Make sure that caregivers talk with the childs
  casemanager before leaving the child home alone.
• Caregivers can be given a Corrective Action Plan
  (CAP) if there are concerns regarding the level
  of supervision in the home
• Upload all forms into SHINES for substitute
  caregivers

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HOME SAFETY
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DFCS Child Safety Agreement-Form 29

• Signed at the following times
• Prior to the approval of the initial assessment
• At the annual re-evaluation
• Wherever there are child safety concerns
• DFCS or foster care policy violations

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Reminders

• Inform caregivers of observed violations of the
  safety and quality standards
• Notify supervisor in writing of violations
• Provide follow up to ensure compliance

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WATER SAFETY

• Caregivers should know or learn how to swim.
• Complete CPR/First Aid prior to approval
• Complete basic water rescue training within 1st
  year
• Children 3 and older must take swimming classes
  within one year of placement
• Swimming pools must meet local/state ordinances
• Communication device near pool
• Lifesaving and flotation devices near pool
• Close adult supervision is mandated
• Fence or pool safety cover for inground or above
  ground pools

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MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY

• Children under 8 must be ride in a federally
  approved child car seat
• Children 12 and under must ride in the rear seat
• No child under 18 may ride in the bed of a pickup
  truck
• A waiver is required from the County Director for
  children who wish to participate in parades,
  hayrides and similar events
• All children should be secured by a safety belt
• No child under 12 may be left unattended in a
  vehicle

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BICYCLE SAFETY

• Helmets must be properly fitted and securely
  fastened
• Helmets are required when operating
• A bicycle
• All terrain vehicle (ATV)
• Motorbikes
• Small motor craft

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FIREARM SAFETY

• Firearms must be kept under lock and key
• Added safety-reliable gun safety lock
• Ammunition stored separately
• Children cannot handle firearms
• Youth 13 and older must have successfully
  complied with all applicable hunting license
  requirements for Georgia. GA requires a hunter
  education course for all born after 1/1/61.
• County Director or designee must approve
• If prior to TPR, parental consent is needed

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Animal Safety

• Refrain from bringing in the house, after
  approval, any type or breed of animal with a
  known history of violence and/or aggressive
  behavior toward people
• Animals with a violent or aggressive history must
  be secured in with a fence, cage or other
  enclosure
• Caregivers must report any acts of violence
  toward a child or others in the home to the
  agency immediately

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FIRE SAFETY

• Good safety practice-all homes with gas
  appliances should have a carbon monoxide
  detector.
• Good safety practice-carbon monoxide detector on
  the sleeping level of the home.
• Working smoke detectors must be installed in the
  home. Ideally, on each level.
• ABC compliant fire extinguisher should be
  observed in the home prior to approval.