Virginia Law

A. Each provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures to orient direct care staff within 14 days of hire regarding the following:

1. Responsibilities of mothers regarding the child;

2. Child development including age-appropriate behavior for each stage of development;

3. Appropriate behavioral interventions for infants and toddlers;

4. Basic infant and toddler care including but not limited to nutritional needs, feeding procedures, bathing techniques; and

5. Safety issues for infants and toddlers.

B. Each direct care worker shall have certification in infant CPR and first aid prior to working alone with infants or toddlers.

C. A placement agreement shall be signed by the legal guardian for each adolescent mother and a separate placement agreement shall be signed for each child at the time of admission.

D. In addition to the requirements of 12VAC35-46-710 the application for admission for the adolescent's child must include:

1. The placement history of the child;

2. The developmental milestones of the child; and

3. The nutritional needs of the child.

E. In addition to the requirements of 12VAC35-46-660, the face sheet for adolescent's child shall also include:

1. Type of delivery;

2. Weight and length at birth;

3. Any medications or allergies; and

4. Name and address, if known, of the biological father.

F. A combined service plan following the requirements of 12VAC35-46-750 must be written for the adolescent mother and her child within 30 days of the admission of the adolescent's child.

G. There shall be a combined documented review of the adolescent mother's and her child's progress following the requirements of the quarterly report 60 days following the first combined service plan and within each 90-day period thereafter.

H. The developmental milestones of the adolescent's child must be documented in each quarterly progress report.

I. The record of each child 18 months or younger shall include the child's feeding schedule and directions for feeding. This information shall be posted in the kitchen.

J. The provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for tracking:

1. What a child 18 months or younger is eating;

2. How much a child 18 months or younger is eating; and

3. The response to newly introduced foods of the child 18 months or younger.

K. The provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures to record all diaper changes.

L. The provider shall monitor that all infants are held and spoken to and placed in a position to observe activities when they are awake.

M. Bottle-fed infants who cannot hold their own bottles shall be held when fed. Bottles shall not be propped.

N. The provider shall monitor that all children of adolescent mothers have access to age-appropriate toys and are provided opportunity for visual and sound stimulation.

O. The provider shall ensure that when an adolescent mother is in school or is working, her child is appropriately cared for, either in a licensed child day program or at the facility.

P. A daily activity log must be kept for each child of the adolescent mother showing what activities the child actually participated in during the day. The daily log must show that children have the opportunity to participate in sensory, language, manipulative, building, large muscle, and learning activities.

Q. The provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures regarding health care of the adolescent's child including:

1. Obtaining health care;

2. Ensuring follow-up care is provided;

3. Ensuring adolescent mothers administer to their children only prescription and nonprescription medication authorized by a health care professional licensed to prescribe medication; and

4. Medication administration.

R. The provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures to ensure that all toys and equipment to be used by children are sturdy, are of safe construction, are nontoxic and free of hazards, and meet industry safety standards.

S. The facility shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for inspecting toys and equipment on a regular basis for cleanliness and safety.

T. Cribs shall be placed where objects outside the crib such as cords from the blinds or curtains are not within reach of infants or toddlers.

U. Pillows and filled comforters shall not be used by children under two years of age.

V. Infant walkers shall not be used.

W. Adolescent mothers and their babies may share a bedroom as allowed by 12VAC35-46-480, but shall not share a room with other adolescents or their children.

X. Pregnant adolescents may share a room as allowed by 12VAC35-46-480.

Y. Providers shall develop and implement written policies and procedures to protect infants, toddlers, and young children from dangers in their environment. The policies and procedures must include but not be limited to protection from:

1. Electrocution;

2. Falling down steps or ramps or gaining access to balconies, porches, or elevated areas; and

3. Poisons, including poisonous plants.