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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 12. Health
Agency 35. Department of Behavioral Health And Developmental Services
Chapter 46. Regulations for Children's Residential Facilities
12/3/2024

12VAC35-46-870. Staff supervision of residents.

A. No member of the child care staff shall be on duty more than six consecutive days without a rest day, except in an emergency or as approved by the department for live-in staff.

B. Child care staff shall have an average of at least two rest days per week in any four-week period. Rest days shall be in addition to vacation time and holidays.

C. Child care staff other than live-in staff shall not be on duty more than 16 consecutive hours, except in an emergency.

D. There shall be at least one trained child care worker on duty and actively supervising residents at all times that one or more residents are present.

E. Whenever children are being supervised by staff there shall be at least one staff person present with a current basic certificate in standard first aid and a current certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation issued by the American Red Cross or other recognized authority.

F. Supervision policies.

1. The provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures that address staff supervision of children including contingency plans for resident illnesses, emergencies, off-campus activities, and resident preferences. These policies and procedures shall be based on the:

a. Needs of the population served;

b. Types of services offered;

c. Qualifications of staff on duty; and

d. Number of residents served.

2. At all times the ratio of staff to residents shall be at least one staff to eight residents for facilities during the hours residents are awake, except when the department has approved or required a supervision plan with a different ratio based on the needs of the population served.

3. Providers requesting a ratio that allows a higher number of residents to be supervised by one staff person than was approved or required shall submit a justification to the department that shall include:

a. Why resident care will not be adversely affected; and

b. How residents' needs will be met on an individual as well as group basis.

4. Written policies and procedures governing supervision of residents and any justifications for a ratio deviation that allows a higher number of residents to be supervised by one staff than was approved or required shall be reviewed and approved by the department prior to implementation.

5. The supervision policies or a summary of the policies shall be provided, upon request, to the placing agency or legal guardian prior to placement.

Statutory Authority

§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.

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