20 CAR § 433-321 – Specialized women’s services

(a) Programs authorized by the Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention to provide specialized women’s services shall, in addition to the General Standards, meet the requirements of the standards listed in this section.
(b)
1. (1) The program shall address the specialized needs of the parent and include services for children.
2. (2) These services may be provided on the premises or through written service agreements with other providers.
(c) Treatment shall include intensive primary treatment, and clients must participate in at least thirty (30) hours of therapeutic services per week, including:
1. (1) Substance abuse group counseling;
2. (2) Education;
3. (3) Parenting;
4. (4) Family reunification; and
5. (5) Child development services.
(d) Job skills.
1. (1) The program shall ensure that residents:
  1. (A) Attend general education degree classes;
  2. (B) Receive job training skills; or
  3. (C) Are employed.
2. (2) At a minimum, all clients shall register at the Division of Workforce Services.
3. (3)
  1. (A) At a minimum, all women shall register at the Division of Workforce Services.
  2. (B) If employed, the client shall receive a minimum of fifteen (15) hours per week of therapeutic services as determined by the client’s treatment plan.
(e) Parenting skills.
1. (1) The program will ensure all adult residents receive training in early child development and other parenting skills.
2. (2) These services may be provided on the premises or the clients may be transported to other locations.
(f) Children in the facility shall receive age-appropriate therapy as needed.
(g)
1. (1) All clients with children will attend and participate in parent/child interactive education, either individual or group, for one (1) hour minimum per week.
2. (2) The program shall assess and document parent-child interaction weekly and any identified needs shall be addressed in treatment.
(h) Residential programs shall not accept dependents over the age of six (6), unless the program has prior written approval from the office.
(i) The program shall inform and educate pregnant clients of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act in accordance with state and federal laws.
(j) Programs will provide training specific to the clients served, such as:
1. (1) Substance abuse impact 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) Child development and age-appropriate behaviors;
7. (7) Parenting skills;
8. (8) Self-esteem;
9. (9) Peer pressure; and
10. (10) Bullying.
(k) The program shall inform and educate pregnant clients of the dangers and effects that alcohol and illicit drug use has on the fetus.
(l) Other education to be provided will include, but not be limited to, the topics of:
1. (1) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS);
2. (2) Sexually transmitted diseases;
3. (3) Tuberculosis;
4. (4) Family planning;
5. (5) Nutrition;
6. (6) Sexual abuse; and
7. (7) Spousal abuse.
(m) Family education and support.
1. (1) The program shall establish a family counseling program for each client.
2. (2) Family members shall receive basic drug abuse prevention information and support skills, especially in:
  1. (A) Relapse prevention;
  2. (B) Family dynamics; and
  3. (C) Communication.
(n) Aftercare. Prior to discharge, the program shall be responsible for establishing an aftercare plan and will encourage the client to participate in support activities.
(o) The program will provide access and referral to the fullest possible range of medical care for clients and children, to include but not be limited to:
1. (1) Prenatal and postpartum health care;
2. (2) Emergency health care;
3. (3) Health screening;
4. (4) Dental;
5. (5) Well-child health care;
6. (6) Screening in speech and language;
7. (7) Hearing and vision; and
8. (8) Verification of immunization records.
(p) Child care.
1. (1) The program shall ensure parents or qualified childcare providers directly supervise the children at all times.
2. (2) The program is always responsible for providing oversight and guidance to ensure children receive appropriate care when they are supervised by clients.
3. (3) Child care for residents with small children/day care will be provided either on the program’s premises by an authorized child care provider, or through a licensed day care center.
4. (4)
  1. (A) Child care shall be arranged for services delivered in the evenings, such as an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, or for an emergency.
  2. (B) Clients cannot provide this service.
5. (5) The program shall have a current schedule showing who is responsible for the children at all times.
6. (6) Physical discipline by program staff is strictly prohibited.
7. (7) The program shall provide a variety of age-appropriate:
  1. (A) Equipment;
  2. (B) Toys; and
  3. (C) Learning materials.
8. (8) Transportation shall be provided for any other services necessary to meet treatment goals.
9. (9)
  1. (A) Program shall have policies and procedures that state staff shall not allow anyone except the legal guardian or a person authorized by the legal guardian to take a child away from the facility.
  2. (B) If an individual shows documentation of legal custody, staff shall record the person's identification before releasing the child.
(q) The program will provide room, board, and laundry services.
(r)
1. (1) Pregnant women, women with children, and children will be fed apart from other clients.
2. (2) If being fed in a common area, they will receive their meals prior to, or after, other clients have vacated the area.
(s) The program may assess any amount for rent not to exceed the actual cost per day.
(t) The program staff are mandatory reporters, and the program shall have a procedure to use if a parent abuses or neglects a child, including:
1. (1) Reporting;
2. (2) Intervention; and
3. (3) Documentation.
(u) The program must provide a safe and sanitary environment appropriate for children, to include at a minimum:
1. (1) Heating equipment shall be cool to touch safely;
2. (2) Heavy furniture and equipment shall be securely installed to prevent tipping or collapsing;
3. (3) Electrical outlets accessible to children shall have child-proof covers or safety devices;
4. (4) There shall be no cords or strings hanging within reach of a child;
5. (5) Cupboards, cabinets, closets, and refrigerators shall be secured to prevent trapping a child inside;
6. (6) Air conditioners, fans, and heating units shall be mounted out of children's reach or have safety guards;
7. (7) Grounds shall be kept free of standing water and sharp objects;
8. (8) Tap water shall be no hotter than one hundred ten degrees Fahrenheit (110° F);
9. (9) Items potentially dangerous for children (i.e. poison, bleach, etc.) shall be stored in a secure, locked environment;
10. (10) Areas that are more than two feet (2’) above ground level, such as stairs, porches, and platforms, shall have railings low enough for children to reach;
11. (11) Outdoor play areas shall be enclosed by a fence at least four feet (4’) high and shall not be viewable by the general public or anyone not associated with the specialized women’s services program;
12. (12) Tanks, ditches, sewer pipes, dangerous machinery, and other hazards on the grounds shall be fenced;
13. (13) Outdoor play equipment shall be in a safe location and securely anchored, unless portable by design;
14. (14) Buildings, furniture, and equipment shall not have openings or angles that could trap or injure a child or any part of the child's body; and
15. (15) Swing seats shall be:
  1. (A) Durable;
  2. (B) Lightweight; and
  3. (C) Relatively pliable.
(v) Neither staff nor clients will use tobacco products within twenty-five feet (25’) of any program housing children.

Codification Notes: Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act was originally enacted as Pub. L. No. 93-247.