N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 14, § 594.11 – Program requirements for licensed housing programs (excluding crisis residence programs).

(a) A licensed housing program shall be designed to provide a family-like and therapeutic environment for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. A licensed housing program shall be responsible for providing services in a safe environment to the youth which will allow for the eventual return to the family or, if appropriate, to acquire the skills and resources for independent living.
(b) A licensed housing program shall provide the following developmentally and age-appropriate services:
1. (1) behavior support;
2. (2) case management;
3. (3) counseling;
4. (4) daily living skills training;
5. (5) educational/vocational support services;
6. (6) family support services;
7. (7) health services;
8. (8) independent living skills training;
9. (9) medication management and training;
10. (10) medication monitoring;
11. (11) respite;
12. (12) room and board; and
13. (13) socialization.
(c) The licensed housing program shall develop a plan for assuring continuity and integration of care within the mental health system, other systems of care, and the family, whenever appropriate. Such plan shall be supported by written agreements, as appropriate, with other providers of service. The plan shall be subject to approval by the Office of Mental Health and, at a minimum, shall address the following areas:
1. (1) emergency medical and psychiatric services;
2. (2) inpatient programs;
3. (3) outpatient programs;
4. (4) local social services;
5. (5) alcohol and substance abuse treatment and education programs;
6. (6) general health care providers;
7. (7) transportation;
8. (8) schools;
9. (9) community recreation;
10. (10) juvenile justice system; and
11. (11) vocational programs.
(d) A licensed housing program shall continuously employ an adequate number of professional and direct care staff to carry out its goals and objectives as well as to ensure the continuous provision of sufficient supervision. Each licensed housing program shall submit a staffing plan which includes at least one full-time employee who is a registered nurse for each eight-bed community residence and for each 12-bed teaching facility home and the qualifications and duties of each of the other staff positions by title.
(e) Staff of a licensed housing program shall be available to assist in emergencies on at least an on-call basis at all times.
(f) Each teaching family home program shall be composed of no more than five teaching family homes. Each program shall assign an appropriately trained, full-time teaching family couple and an assistant to each home.
(g) Each teaching family home program shall run regular consultative and training meetings for teaching parents and child care staff. Support groups and parent training shall also be offered to families.
(h) Each community residence, including a CREDIT program, shall employ at least two full-time equivalent direct care staff on duty during peak times which include early mornings, after school, early evenings, weekends and holidays, for a six-bed program. At least three full-time equivalent direct care staff shall be on duty during such times for an eight-bed program.
(i) Each community residence, including a CREDIT program, shall assign at least two direct care staff for overnight coverage to ensure that at least one staff person is on duty, (and is therefore awake) at all times.
(j) Additional requirements for community residences that are CREDIT programs.
1. (1) A community residence for eating disorder integrated treatment program (CREDIT program) is a community residence program for children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder as defined in Section 2799-e of the Public Health Law and whose individual treatment issues preclude family settings or other less restrictive alternatives.
2. (2) In addition to the requirements for licensed housing programs identified in this section, a community residence that qualifies as a CREDIT program must be affiliated with an entity designated by the New York State Department of Health as a Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (CCCED).
  1. (i) CREDIT programs shall admit only children or adolescents who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder, and who have been referred by a CCCED, or by the child’s primary care physician, or mental health provider.
  2. (ii) The CREDIT program affiliation with the CCCED shall be documented pursuant to written agreements with the CCCED or the providers of which it is comprised. Such agreements shall be subject to approval by the Office of Mental Health, shall provide for continuity and integration of care with the CCCED and shall require, at a minimum:
    1. (a) the performance of a psychiatric assessment;
    2. (b) the development of a service plan which is integrated with other providers in the CCCED and integrated with the clinical care being provided;
    3. (c) the performance of a medical examination;
    4. (d) the supervision of meal, bathroom and exercise time;
    5. (e) family participation, as appropriate; and
    6. (f) coordination of the child’s educational needs with his or her home school district.
  3. (iii) A CREDIT program shall have sufficient staff to meet the special needs of children and adolescents residing in a community residence who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder.