Wyo. Code R. 049-0029-4
Providers of Substitute Care Services, Certification of
Chapter 4: Crisis Shelters
Effective Date: 09/03/2021 to Current
Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 049.0029.4.09032021
(a) All Crisis Shelters must comply with all sections of this Chapter and the following Chapters and Sections of these Rules:
(a) Crisis Shelters provide a group home living setting for short-term, emergency services for children available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, for a period not to exceed forty-five (45) days. For purposes of the following sections, a “non-violent” child is defined as any youth who has not exhibited any violent behavior within the most recent ninety (90) days prior to the admission request. Crisis shelter services shall be provided for the following purposes:
(b) Crisis Shelters provide voluntary, temporary shelter services and may also provide the following:
(iv) Assistance to the child's parent(s) or legal guardian in making referrals to other organizations/programs.
(c) The local DFS Manager may approve two (2) extensions for up to thirty (30) days each in agreement with the provider for children requiring shelter care.
(d) For purposes of daily census reporting to DFS, the number of children in the facility shall be counted at eleven o'clock (11:00) p.m.
(a) Issues appropriate for placement in a Crisis Shelter may include:
(b) Age Range
(i) The organization may provide Crisis Shelter services for children from birth through seventeen (17) years of age. The organization shall notify the Certifying Authority when the Crisis Shelter has a child nine (9) years and younger;
(ii) Special provisions for sleeping arrangements shall be made for children in two (2) separate age groups, defined as children birth through nine (9) years and children age ten (10) years and over. The unrelated children in different age groups shall have separate sleeping areas.
(c) Voluntary Placements.
(i) Parents or legal guardians may voluntarily place children and these placements shall not require a court order;
(ii) Written consent shall be obtained for emergency psychological, medical, and dental care signed from the parent or legal guardian at the time of admission; and
(iii) Crisis Shelters must, within seventy-two (72) hours of placement, enter into a voluntary placement agreement for services with the minor’s parents or legal guardian:
(A) Any exceptions must be documented; and
(B) If the parents or legal guardian refuse to sign, or other conditions prevail (e.g., out-of-state runaway), the crisis shelter may refuse continued placement or notify DFS.
(d) Self-Referral Placements.
(i) Shall be handled on a case-by-case basis; and
(ii) Attempts shall be made to notify the parents or legal guardian as soon as possible (never exceeding eight [8] hours), except in cases involving abuse or neglect, which must be reported immediately to the child protective agency (local DFS) or local law enforcement agency.
(a) The maximum capacity, in addition to the standards listed below, shall be based on the facility’s ability to provide safe treatment, subject to space, staff/client ratio, and manageable caseloads.
(b) Each Crisis Shelter shall provide services for no more than ten (10) children.
(c) In an emergency, the provider may exceed its certified capacity under the following conditions:
(i) The Crisis Shelter has sufficient bed space;
(ii) The Crisis Shelter has available staff to meet the staff:child ratio required for the specific setting (e.g., group home or residential treatment); and (iii) The Crisis Shelter shall not exceed by more than three (3) its certified capacity unless otherwise permitted by DFS.
(d) Any time the Crisis Shelter exceeds its certified capacity, the organization must notify the local DFS District Manager within twenty-four (24) hours and the DFS District Manager will make the determination as to the length of time that the facility can remain over its licensed capacity.
Crisis Shelters shall have, at a minimum, an Administrator/Executive Director and direct care staff.
Crisis Shelter staff shall complete a twenty (20) hour orientation program and twenty (20) hours of annual training to include suicide prevention, domestic violence and trauma training.
(a) During the daytime and evening, the minimum ratio of staff to children must be 1:6 for children ages six (6) and older and 1:4 for children under the age of six (6); and
(b) During nighttime sleeping hours:
(i) There must be a direct care staff:child ratio of 1:10 during nighttime sleeping hours unless children under the age of six (6) are present then the staff:child ratio must be 1:5;
(ii) Bedroom checks of children shall be conducted at a minimum of three (3) times per hour, on a random, unscheduled basis and the exact time of the check shall be documented in an overnight log; and
(iii) One (1) or more staff members shall be available on call to provide direct care to any child in crisis or in need of supervision during the nighttime hours.
(iv) Direct supervision of individual youth shall be adjusted to meet his/her specific needs (i.e. runaway risk, youth on room restriction, risk to self or other).
(a) Any facility having children requiring diaper changes shall have a designated diaper changing area.
(b) Such an area shall have a smooth, non-absorbent, easily cleanable surface. (c) This area shall be sanitized after each diaper change with an approved sanitizing agent. (d) Such sanitizing agents or apparatus shall be readily available and clearly labeled. (e) Hand washing is required after every diaper change. Use of plastic gloves is recommended for diaper changing. If blood is present, plastic gloves shall be used. (f) Diaper changing area shall be located as close as possible to an operable hand sink with hot and cold running water. The distance from the diaper changing area to such hand sink shall not exceed 12 feet.