The following standards of care ("standards") have been adopted
by the city council, to comply with section 42.041(b)(14) of the Texas
Human Resources Code. The standards are intended to be minimum standards
by which the city parks and recreation department will operate the
city's youth programs. The programs operated by the city are recreational
in nature and are not licensed by the state as certified day-care
programs. The state department of family and protective services has
issued an exemption determination certificate to the city.
(Ordinance 2012-1122 adopted 5/22/12; Ordinance 2013-1136 adopted 6/25/13; Ordinance
2014-1166 adopted 6/24/14; Ordinance 2015-1176 adopted 5/12/15; Ordinance 2016-1194 adopted 5/10/16; Ordinance 2017-1223 adopted 5/23/17; Ordinance
2018-1245 adopted 6/12/18; Ordinance 2019-1261 adopted 5/28/19; Ordinance 2020-1272 adopted 5/12/20; Ordinance 2021-1281 adopted 3/9/21; Ordinance
2022-1291 adopted 3/8/22)
(a)
Department.
Director.
Parent.
Participant.
Program manual.
Program site.
Program staff.
Recreation coordinator.
Site director.
Youth program or program.
Definitions.
The following words and phrases as used
in these standards shall have the following meaning:
The parks and recreation department of the city.
The director of the department or the director's designee.
One parent or both parents or other adult with legal custody
and authority to enroll their child(ren) in the youth programs.
A child age five (5) to thirteen (13) whose parent(s) have
completed all required registration procedures and determined to be
eligible for a youth program.
The notebook of policies, procedures, required forms, and
organizational and programming information relevant to the youth programs.
The physical location where the youth program is being conducted.
The person or persons who have been hired or have volunteered
to work for the city and been assigned responsibilities for managing,
administering, or implementing some or all portions of one or more
youth programs.
The full-time department employee who performs the functions
responsible for administration and implementation of the youth programs.
The person who has been hired to directly administer and
oversee the daily operations of a youth program to include, but not
be limited to, the supervision of staff, safety of participants, and
programming.
A fee based children's program or activity offered and supervised
by the department that requires a participant to enroll or register
in order to participate, including, but not limited to, city's youth
programs consisting of the Kid's Kamp and other non-school day programs
which last one week (5 days) or longer.
(b)
Organization.
(1)
The governing body of the youth program is the city council.
(2)
Implementation of the youth programs standard of care is the responsibility
of the director and program staff.
(3)
Youth programs to which these standards of care will apply are the
Kid's Kamp and other non-school day programs that last one week (5
days) or longer.
(4)
Each program site will have a current copy of these standards available
for the public and program staff.
(5)
Parents of participants will be provided a current copy of these
standards prior to the start of the youth program, preferably during
the registration process.
(6)
Program staff must pass a background investigation including testing
for illegal substances.
(c)
Inspection/monitoring/enforcement.
(1)
The recreation coordinator will perform weekly inspections of the
program to confirm adherence to these standards.
(2)
Complaints regarding enforcement of these standards will be directed
to the recreation coordinator. The recreation coordinator will be
responsible for taking the necessary steps to resolve the problems.
The recreation coordinator will record complaints regarding enforcement
of these standards and their resolution. The director will address
serious complaints regarding enforcement of these standards and the
complaints and the resolution will be noted.
(3)
The director may make a report during the annual budget process to
the city council on the overall status of youth programs.
(d)
Enrollment.
Before a child may become a participant,
the parent must complete and sign registration forms that contain
information pertaining to the participant and their parent(s). The
following information must be provided:
(1)
Name, address and home telephone number.
(2)
Name, address and telephone number of parent(s) where the parent(s)
may be contacted during the hours the participant is participating
in the youth program.
(3)
In case of emergency, contact names and telephone numbers of one
or more people who are not a parent of the participant who may be
contacted regarding the participant during the hours the participant
is participating in the youth program.
(4)
The names, telephone numbers and driver's license numbers of people
to whom the participant may be released to.
(5)
A statement of the participant's special problems or needs, including
allergies.
(6)
Emergency medical authorization, the name and phone number of the
doctor to be called regarding the participant.
(7)
A liability release that encompasses all personal injury, including
death, and property damage resulting from the participant's participation
in the program signed by a person authorized to grant such release
on behalf of the participant.
(Ordinance 2012-1122 adopted 5/22/12; Ordinance 2013-1136 adopted 6/25/13; Ordinance
2014-1166 adopted 6/24/14; Ordinance 2015-1176 adopted 5/12/15; Ordinance 2016-1194 adopted 5/10/16; Ordinance 2017-1223 adopted 5/23/17; Ordinance
2018-1245 adopted 6/12/18; Ordinance 2019-1261 adopted 5/28/19; Ordinance 2020-1272 adopted 5/12/20; Ordinance 2021-1281 adopted 3/9/21; Ordinance
2022-1291 adopted 3/8/22)
(a)
Site director qualifications.
A site director must meet
the following minimum qualifications:
(1)
Must be an employee of the city.
(2)
Must be at least 19 years of age.
(3)
Must have a high school diploma or GED.
(4)
Must have two years experience planning and implementing recreational
activities.
(5)
Must have previous experience in supervising children and possess
knowledge of recreational games, crafts and activities.
(6)
Must be skilled in supervising children of varying age levels in
a group setting.
(7)
Must pass a background investigation including a test for illegal
substances.
(8)
Must have a current certification in first aid, cardio pulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) based on either American Heart Association or
American Red Cross standards.
(b)
Site director responsibilities.
(1)
A site director administers the daily operations of the program in
compliance with these standards.
(2)
A site director recommends for hire, supervises, and evaluates program
staff.
(3)
A site director plans, implements, and evaluates the daily activities
of programs.
(4)
A site director will investigate allegations or concerns regarding
suspected child abuse and will report suspected child abuse or neglect
in accordance with the Texas Family Code.
(c)
Program staff.
(1)
Program staff will be part-time or temporary employees of the department.
(2)
Program staff working with children must be 17 years of age or older;
however, each program site will have at least one employee 18 years
or older present at all times during the hours a program is conducted
at the program site.
(3)
Program staff must pass a background investigation including a test
for illegal substances.
(4)
Program staff must have successfully completed a course in first
aid and CPR based on either American Heart Association or American
Red Cross standards. An exception can be made for no more than one
staff person at each program site, and that person shall successfully
complete a first aid and CPR course within four weeks of starting
work.
(d)
Program staff responsibilities.
(1)
Program staff must be able to consistently exhibit competency, tolerance,
and patience.
(2)
Program staff must relate to children with courtesy, respect, tolerance,
and patience.
(3)
Program staff will provide participants with an environment in which
they can feel safe, can enjoy wholesome recreation activities, and
can participate in appropriate social opportunities with their peers.
(4)
Program staff will be responsible to know and follow all city, departmental,
and program standards, policies and procedures that apply to the youth
programs.
(5)
Program staff must ensure that participants are released only to
a parent or an adult designated by the parent. All program sites will
have a copy of the department approved plan to verify the identity
of a person authorized to pick up a participant if that person is
not known to the program staff.
(e)
Training/orientation.
(1)
The department will provide training and orientation to program staff
in working with participants and for specific job responsibilities.
Each program staff will be provided with a program manual specific
to each youth program.
(2)
Program staff will be trained in appropriate procedures to handle
emergencies.
(3)
Program staff will receive a two-day training course in areas including
city, departmental, and program policies and procedures, provision
of recreation activities, safety issues, child psychology, and city
organization.
(4)
Program staff will be required to sign an acknowledgment that they
received the required training and are expected to conduct activities
in accordance with training and these standards.
(Ordinance 2012-1122 adopted 5/22/12; Ordinance 2013-1136 adopted 6/25/13; Ordinance
2014-1166 adopted 6/24/14; Ordinance 2015-1176 adopted 5/12/15; Ordinance 2016-1194 adopted 5/10/16; Ordinance 2017-1223 adopted 5/23/17; Ordinance
2018-1245 adopted 6/12/18; Ordinance 2019-1261 adopted 5/28/19; Ordinance 2020-1272 adopted 5/12/20; Ordinance 2021-1281 adopted 3/9/21; Ordinance
2022-1291 adopted 3/8/22)
(a)
Staff-participant ratio.
In a youth program, the standard
ratio of participants to counselors will be twenty (20) participants
to one (1) program staff member. In the event a program staff member
is unable to report to the program site, a replacement will be assigned.
(b)
Discipline.
(1)
Program staff will implement discipline and guidance in a consistent
manner based on the best interests of participants.
(2)
There shall be no cruel or harsh punishment or treatment.
(3)
Program staff may use brief, supervised separation from the group
if necessary.
(4)
As necessary, program staff will initiate discipline reports to the
parent(s) of participants. Parents will be asked to sign discipline
reports to indicate they have been advised about specific problems
or incidents.
(5)
A sufficient number and/or severe nature of discipline reports as
detailed in the program manual may result in a participant being suspended
from a program.
(6)
In instances where there is a danger to participants or program staff,
the offending participant will be removed from the program site as
soon as possible.
(c)
Programming.
(1)
Program staff will attempt to provide activities for each group according
to the participants' ages. The activities must be appropriate to participants'
health, safety, and wellbeing. The activities also must be flexible
and attempt to promote the participants' emotional, social, and mental
growth.
(3)
Program staff will be attentive and considerate of the safety of
participants on field trips and during any transportation provided
by the program.
(A)
During trips, program staff supervising participants must have immediate
access to emergency medical forms and emergency contact information
for each participant.
(B)
Program staff must have a written list of the participants in the
group and must check the roll frequently.
(C)
Program staff must have first aid supplies and a guide to first aid
and emergency care available on field trips.
(d)
Communication.
Each program site will have a mobile
phone or radio to allow program staff at the program site to be contacted
by department personnel. Each program site will have access to a telephone
or radio for use in contacting the municipal complex or making emergency
calls. The recreation coordinator will post the following telephone
numbers adjacent to a telephone accessible to all program staff at
each program site:
(1)
City ambulance or emergency medical services;
(2)
City police department;
(3)
City fire department;
(4)
City municipal complex;
(5)
City parks and recreation department;
(6)
Numbers at which parents of participants attending the program(s)
at the program site may be reached; and
(7)
The telephone number for the program site itself.
(e)
Transportation.
(1)
Before a participant may be transported to and from a youth program
by program staff, a transportation release form, completed by the
parent of the participant, must be filed with the site director.
(2)
First aid supplies and a first aid and emergency care guide will
be available in all vehicles used by program staff to transport participants.
(3)
All vehicles used by program staff for transporting participants
must have available a 6-BC portable fire extinguisher which is easily
accessible.
(Ordinance 2012-1122 adopted 5/22/12; Ordinance 2013-1136 adopted 6/25/13; Ordinance
2014-1166 adopted 6/24/14; Ordinance 2015-1176 adopted 5/12/15; Ordinance 2016-1194 adopted 5/10/16; Ordinance 2017-1223 adopted 5/23/17; Ordinance
2018-1245 adopted 6/12/18; Ordinance 2019-1261 adopted 5/28/19; Ordinance 2020-1272 adopted 5/12/20; Ordinance 2021-1281 adopted 3/9/21; Ordinance
2022-1291 adopted 3/8/22)
(a)
Safety.
(1)
Program staff will inspect program sites daily to detect sanitation
and safety concerns that might affect the health and safety of the
participants.
(2)
Buildings, grounds, and equipment on the program site will be inspected,
cleaned, repaired, and maintained to protect the health and safety
of the participants.
(3)
Program equipment and supplies must be safe for the participants'
use.
(4)
Program staff must have first aid supplies and a guide to first aid
and emergency care readily available at each site, during transportation
to an off-site activity, and for the duration of any off-site activity.
(c)
Health.
(1)
Illness or injury to participant.
(A)
A participant who is considered to be a health or safety concern
to other participants or program staff will not be admitted to the
program.
(B)
Illnesses and injuries will be handled in a manner to protect the
health of all participants and program staff.
(C)
Program staff will follow plans to provide emergency care for injured
participants with symptoms of an acute illness as specified in the
program manual.
(D)
Program staff will follow the recommendation of the state department
of health concerning the admission or readmission of any participant
after a communicable disease.
(2)
Medication.
Program staff will administer medication
to a participant only if:
(A)
Parent(s) complete and sign a medication form that provides authorization
for program staff to dispense medication with details as to time and
dosages. The form will include a hold harmless clause to protect the
city.
(B)
Prescription medications are in the original containers labeled with
the participant's name, a date, directions, and the physician's name.
Program staff will administer the medication only as stated on the
label. Program staff will not administer medication after the expiration
date.
(C)
Nonprescription medications are labeled with the participant's name
and the date the medication was brought to the program site. Nonprescription
medication must be in the original container. Program staff will administer
it only according to label direction.
(D)
Medication dispensed will be limited to routine oral ingestion not
requiring special knowledge or skills on the part of program staff.
No injections will be administered by the program staff.
(E)
Program staff must ensure medications are inaccessible to participants
or, if it is necessary to keep medications in the refrigerator (when
available). Medications will be kept separate from food.
(3)
Toilet facilities.
(A)
The program site will have inside toilets located and equipped so
participants can use them independently and program staff can supervise
as needed.
(B)
There must be one flush toilet for every 30 participants. Urinals
may be counted in the ratio of toilets to participants, but they must
not exceed 50 percent of the total number of toilets.
(C)
Exceptions on flush toilet to participants may be adjusted when program
activities take place at primitive or outdoor park locations.
(4)
Sanitation.
(A)
The facilities at the program site must have adequate light, ventilation,
and heat.
(B)
The program site must have an adequate supply of water meeting the
standards of the state department of health for drinking water and
ensure that it will be supplied to the participants in a safe and
sanitary manner.
(5)
Special needs.
Participants with special needs requiring
personal assistance, i.e., feeding, changing of clothes, using the
restroom, must provide an attendant for the duration of the program.
Program staff will not provide personal assistance. The attendant
will be admitted to the program free of charge.
(Ordinance 2012-1122 adopted 5/22/12; Ordinance 2013-1136 adopted 6/25/13; Ordinance
2014-1166 adopted 6/24/14; Ordinance 2015-1176 adopted 5/12/15; Ordinance 2016-1194 adopted 5/10/16; Ordinance 2017-1223 adopted 5/23/17; Ordinance
2018-1245 adopted 6/12/18; Ordinance 2019-1261 adopted 5/28/19; Ordinance 2020-1272 adopted 5/12/20; Ordinance 2021-1281 adopted 3/9/21; Ordinance
2022-1291 adopted 3/8/22)
