20 CAR § 433-320 – Adolescent treatment — Residential and outpatient

(a) The program shall limit admissions to adolescents thirteen (13) through seventeen (17) years of age.
(b) The policies and procedures shall specify any exceptions to this requirement, and the Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention must be notified and a waiver obtained prior to admission.
(c) The program shall address the special needs (i.e., self-esteem, peer pressure, classes, etc.) of adolescents and protect their rights.
(d) The program shall provide separate groups and activities for adolescents.
(e) The program shall obtain consent for admission and authorization to obtain medical treatment at the time of admission for all clients under eighteen (18) years of age, unless adjudicated as an emancipated minor.
(f) Residential and day treatment programs shall have policies and procedures that govern access to client education as required by the Department of Education.
(g) The program shall:
1. (1) Allow regular communication between an adolescent client and the client's family; and
2. (2) Not arbitrarily restrict any communication without clear, written individualized clinical justification documented in the client record.
(h) Program staff that plan, supervise, or provide chemical dependency education or counseling to adolescents shall have the following:
1. (1) Qualified credentials for counselors; and
2. (2)
  1. (A)
(i) Direct care employees shall have documentation of continuing education in:
(a) (a) Human adolescent development;
(b) (b) Family systems;
(c) (c) Adolescent psychopathology and chemical dependency and addiction in adolescents; and
(d) (d) Adolescent socialization issues.
1. (ii) This may include in-service training.
  1. (i)
2. (1) Clients shall be under direct supervision at all times.
3. (2) In public places, clients shall be within eyesight at all times.
4. (3)
  1. (A) Staff shall conduct visual checks at least once every hour.
  2. (B) Bed checks will be made and documented every four (4) hours.
(j) All incidents will be recorded and reported as appropriate.
(k) The treatment plan shall address adolescent specific needs and issues.
1. (l) The program shall involve the adolescent's family or an alternate support system in the treatment process or document why this is not happening.
  1. (m)
2. (1) The program shall prohibit adolescent clients from using tobacco products.
3. (2) The program shall prohibit tobacco products within the confines of any program housing adolescents.
(n) Staff employed with adolescent programs will have training specific to the clients served, such as:
1. (1) Impact of substance abuse on children;
2. (2) Identifying domestic violence;
3. (3) Abuse;
4. (4) Neglect;
5. (5) Empowering the client and families to restore family functioning;
6. (6) Development and age appropriate behaviors;
7. (7) Parenting skills;
8. (8) Self-esteem;
9. (9) Peer pressure; and
10. (10) Bullying.