1. (1) The program will admit only those program participants for whom it has an operational program and who meet its admissions policies.
2. (2) The program must have written policies and procedures for screening all referrals.

3. (3) The program must have a written admissions policy and procedures which include:

   1. (a) the age, sex, and behavioral and/or emotional needs of adolescents served;
   2. (b) verifying of legal authority to place or remove a program participant from the program;
   3. (c) a description of the intake process for the program participants;
   4. (d) a description of the orientation provided to program participants; and
   5. (e) an initial assessment of the program participant's emotional, medical, developmental, social, and behavioral status that must be conducted at the time of admission.
4. (4) The admission person or committee must review all preplacement referral information to determine the appropriateness of placement, including age and developmental needs of adolescents accepted into the program.
5. (5) The program's policies and procedures must provide for and encourage a preplacement process with the program participant and family.
6. (6) Placements may only be accepted from the parent/legal guardian of the program participant.
7. (7) The admissions policy may not limit contact with the program participant's family for no more than 7 days after admission.

8. (8) A program must have written orientation policies and procedures for admission to the program that include:

   1. (a) a procedure for ensuring that each program participant receives a personal orientation to the program as soon as appropriate, but no later than 24 hours after admission;
   2. (b) inventory of each program participant's belongings;
   3. (c) behavioral expectations;
   4. (d) information on privilege systems;
   5. (e) discipline policy;
   6. (f) health and safety procedures;
   7. (g) program rules;
   8. (h) information on the program's search policies, program participant rights, and grievance procedure; and
   9. (i) emergency evacuation procedures, including designated escape routes.
9. (9) Documentation that is signed by both the program participant and the staff person(s) conducting the orientation must be placed in the program participant's file.
10. (10) A program must maintain a list of current program participants to ensure all participants are accounted for and that staffing requirements are met in all circumstances.
11. (11) A program must ensure compliance of each participant's placement with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), as provided in 41-4-101, MCA, and ARM 37.50.901.

Authorizing statute(s): 52-2-803, 52-2-805, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 52-2-803, 52-2-805, 52-2-809, MCA

History: NEW, 2019 MAR p. 2029, Eff. 11/9/19.