Part I. General Provisions
6VAC35-71-10. Definitions.
The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Annual" means within 13 months of the previous event or occurrence.
"Board" means Board of Juvenile Justice.
"Case record" or "record" means written or electronic information regarding a resident and the resident's family, if applicable, maintained in accordance with written procedures.
"Contraband" means any item possessed by or accessible to a resident or found within a juvenile correctional center or on its premises that (i) is prohibited by statute, regulation, or department procedure; (ii) is not acquired through approved channels or in prescribed amounts; or (iii) may jeopardize the safety and security of the juvenile correctional center or individual residents.
"Department" means the Department of Juvenile Justice.
"Direct care" means the time during which a resident who is committed to the department pursuant to § 16.1-272 or 16.1-285.1, or subsection A 14 or 17 of § 16.1-278.8 of the Code of Virginia is under the supervision of staff in a juvenile correctional center operated by or under contract with the department.
"Direct care staff" means the staff whose primary job responsibilities are for (i) maintaining the safety, care, and well-being of residents; (ii) implementing the structured program of care and the behavior management program; and (iii) maintaining the security of the facility.
"Direct supervision" means the act of working with residents who are not in the presence of direct care staff. Staff members who provide direct supervision are responsible for maintaining the safety, care, and well-being of the residents in addition to providing services or performing the primary responsibilities of that position.
"Director" means the Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice.
"Emergency" means a sudden, generally unexpected occurrence or set of circumstances demanding immediate action such as a fire, chemical release, loss of utilities, natural disaster, taking of hostages, major disturbances, escape, and bomb threats. Emergency does not include regularly scheduled employee time off or other situations that could be reasonably anticipated.
"Health care record" means the complete record of medical screening and examination information and ongoing records of medical and ancillary service delivery, including but not limited to all findings, diagnoses, treatments, dispositions, prescriptions, and their administration.
"Health care services" means those actions, preventative and therapeutic, taken for the physical and mental well-being of a resident. Health care services include medical, dental, orthodontic, mental health, family planning, obstetrical, gynecological, health education, and other ancillary services.
"Health trained personnel" means an individual who is trained by a licensed health care provider to perform specific duties, such as administering health care screenings, reviewing screening forms for necessary follow-up care, preparing residents and records for sick call, and assisting in the implementation of certain medical orders.
"Individual service plan" or "service plan" means a written plan of action developed, revised as necessary, and reviewed at intervals, to meet the needs of a resident. The individual service plan specifies (i) measurable short-term and long-term goals; (ii) the objectives, strategies, and time frames for reaching the goals; and (iii) the individuals responsible for carrying out the plan.
"Juvenile correctional center," "JCC," or "facility" means a public or private facility, operated by or under contract with the Department of Juvenile Justice, where 24-hour per day care is provided to residents under the direct care of the department.
"Living unit" means the space in a juvenile correctional center in which a particular group of residents resides that contains sleeping areas, bath and toilet facilities, and a living room or its equivalent for use by the residents. Depending upon its design, a building may contain one living unit or several separate living units.
"On duty" means the period of time, during an employee's scheduled work hours, during which the employee is responsible for the direct supervision of one or more residents in performance of that employee's position's duties.
"Parent" or "legal guardian" means (i) a biological or adoptive parent who has legal custody of a resident, including either parent if custody is shared under a joint decree or agreement; (ii) a biological or adoptive parent with whom a resident regularly resides; (iii) a person judicially appointed as a legal guardian of a resident; or (iv) a person who exercises the rights and responsibilities of legal custody by delegation from a biological or adoptive parent, upon provisional adoption, or otherwise by operation of law.
"Premises" means the tracts of land on which any part of a juvenile correctional center is located and any buildings on such tracts of land.
"Reception and Diagnostic Center" or "RDC" means the juvenile correctional center that serves as the central intake facility for all individuals committed to the department. The Reception and Diagnostic Center's primary function is to orient, evaluate, and classify each resident before being assigned to a juvenile correctional center or alternative placement.
"Regulatory authority" means the board or the department if designated by the board.
"Resident" means an individual, either a minor or an adult, who is committed to the department and resides in a juvenile correctional center.
"Rules of conduct" means a listing of a juvenile correctional center's rules or regulations that is maintained to inform residents and others of the behavioral expectations of the behavior management program, about behaviors that are not permitted, and about the sanctions that may be applied when impermissible behaviors occur.
"Superintendent" means the individual who has the responsibility for the on-site management and operation of a juvenile correctional center on a regular basis.
"Volunteer" or "intern" means any individual or group who of their own free will provides goods and services without competitive compensation.
"Written" means the required information is communicated in writing. Such writing may be available in either hard copy or in electronic form.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-20. Previous regulations terminated.
This chapter replaces the Standards for the Interim Regulation of Children's Residential Facilities, (6VAC35-51), and the Standards for Juvenile Residential Facilities, (6VAC35-140), for the regulation of all JCCs as defined herein. The Standards for the Interim Regulation of Children's Residential Facilities and the Standards for Juvenile Residential Facilities remain in effect for secure detention facilities and group homes, regulated by the board, until such time as the board adopts new regulations related thereto.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-30. Certification.
A. The JCC shall maintain a current certification demonstrating compliance with the provisions of the Regulations Governing the Monitoring, Approval, and Certification of Juvenile Justice Programs (6VAC35-20).
B. The JCC shall demonstrate compliance with this chapter, other applicable regulations issued by the board, and applicable statutes and regulations as interpreted by the assessment and compliance measures approved in accordance with board regulations or department procedures.
C. Documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance with this chapter shall be maintained for a minimum of three years.
D. The current certificate shall be posted at all times in a place conspicuous to the public.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-40. Relationship to the regulatory authority.
All reports and information as the regulatory authority may require to establish compliance with this chapter and other applicable regulations and statutes shall be submitted to or made available to the regulatory authority.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-50. Variances.
A. Board action may be requested by the superintendent to relieve a JCC from having to meet or develop a plan of action for the requirements of a specific section or subsection of this regulation, either permanently or for a determined period of time, as provided in the Regulations Governing the Monitoring, Approval, and Certification of Juvenile Justice Programs (6VAC35-20) and in accordance with written procedures.
B. A variance may not be implemented prior to approval of the board.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-55. Operational procedures..
Current operational procedures shall be accessible to all staff.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-60. Serious incident reports.
A. The following events shall be reported as soon as practicable, but no later than 24 hours after the incident, and in accordance with department procedures to the director or his designee:
1. Any serious illness, incident, injury, or accident involving injury of a resident;
2. Any absence from the facility without permission; and
3. All other situations required by written procedures.
B. As appropriate and applicable, the facility shall, as soon as practicable, but no later than 24 hours after the incident, and in accordance with written procedures, report the incidents listed in subsection A of this section to (i) the parent or legal guardian and (ii) the supervising court service unit or agency.
C. Any incident involving the death of a resident shall be reported to the individuals specified in subsections A and B of this section without undue delay.
D. The facility shall prepare and maintain a written report of the events listed in subsections A and C of this section which shall contain the following information:
1. The date and time the incident occurred;
2. A brief description of the incident;
3. The action taken as a result of the incident;
4. The name of the person who completed the report;
5. The name or identifying information of the person who made the report to the supervising agency and to the parent or legal guardian; and
6. The name or identifying information of the person to whom the report was made, including any law enforcement or child protective service personnel.
E. The resident's record shall contain a written reference (i) that an incident occurred and (ii) of all applicable reporting.
F. In addition to the requirements of this section, any suspected child abuse and neglect shall be governed by 6VAC35-71-70 (suspected child abuse or neglect).
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-70. Suspected child abuse or neglect.
A. When there is reason to suspect that a resident is an abused or neglected child, the matter shall be reported immediately to the local department of social services as required by § 63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia and in accordance with written procedures.
B. Any case of suspected child abuse or neglect occurring at the JCC, occurring on a JCC sponsored event or excursion, or involving JCC staff shall be reported within 24 hours, in accordance with written procedures, to (i) the director or his designee, (ii) the court services unit, and (iii) the resident's parent or legal guardian, as appropriate and applicable.
C. When a case of suspected child abuse or neglect is reported to child protective services a record shall be maintained at the facility that contains the following information:
1. The date and time the suspected abuse or neglect occurred;
2. A brief description of the suspected abuse or neglect;
3. Action taken as a result of the suspected abuse or neglect; and
4. The name or identifying information of the person to whom the report was made at the local child protective services unit.
D. The resident's record shall contain a written reference that a report was made.
E. Written procedures shall be accessible to staff regarding the following:
1. Handling accusations of child abuse or neglect, including those made against staff;
2. Reporting, consistent with requirements of the Code of Virginia, and documenting suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the local child protective services unit;
3. Cooperating during any investigation; and
4. Measures to be taken to ensure the safety of the resident and the staff.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-75. Reporting criminal activity..
A. Staff shall be required to report all known criminal activity by residents or staff, including but not limited to any physical abuse, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment of residents, to the superintendent or designee.
B. The superintendent, in accordance with written procedures, shall notify the appropriate persons or agencies, including law enforcement and child protective services if applicable and appropriate, of suspected criminal violations by residents or staff.
C. The JCC shall assist and cooperate with the investigation of any such complaints and allegations as necessary.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-80. Grievance procedure.
A. The superintendent or designee shall ensure the facility's compliance with the department's grievance procedure. The grievance procedure shall provide for the following:
1. Resident participation in the grievance process, with assistance from staff upon request;
2. Investigation of the grievance by an impartial and objective person who is not the subject of the grievance;
3. Documented, timely responses to all grievances with the supporting reasons for the decision;
4. At least one level of appeal;
5. Administrative review of grievances;
6. Protection of residents from retaliation or the threat of retaliation for filing a grievance; and
7. Immediate review of emergency grievances with resolution as soon as practicable but no later than eight hours after the initial review.
B. Residents shall be oriented to the grievance procedure in an age or developmentally appropriate manner.
C. The grievance procedure shall be (i) written in clear and simple language, (ii) posted in an area accessible to residents, and (iii) posted in an area easily accessible to parents and legal guardians.
D. Staff shall assist and work cooperatively with other employees in facilitating the grievance process.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.
6VAC35-71-90. Resident advisory committee.
Each JCC, except RDC, shall have a resident advisory committee that (i) is representative of the facility's population and (ii) shall meet monthly with the superintendent or designees during which time the residents shall be given the opportunity to raise matters of concern to the residents and the opportunity to have input into planning, problem-solving, and decision-making in areas of the residential program that affect their lives.
Statutory Authority
§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.