This division and the standards of care established in this
division are adopted in compliance with V.T.C.A., Human Resources
Code section 42.041(b)(14), in order to exempt the after-school recreation
program from state child care licensing requirements. These standards
of care are intended to be minimum standards by which the city will
operate its parks and recreation department after-school recreation
program. The program operated by the city is recreational in nature
and is not a child care program.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
means a part-time employee of the department who is responsible
for assisting the after-school supervisor in scheduling and providing
a developmentally appropriate, safe recreational environment for the
youth participating in the program.
means a part-time employee of the department who is responsible
for providing a developmentally appropriate, safe recreational environment
for the youth participating in the program.
means a city-sponsored recreational program for youth that
may be offered by the parks and recreation department after school.
The term does not include any program or activity to which attendees
are free to come and go at will without regard to the presence of
a parent or other responsible adult to care for them.
means a part-time employee of the department who is responsible
for scheduling and providing a developmentally appropriate, safe recreational
environment for the youth participating in the program.
means the parks and recreation department of the city.
means the director of the parks and recreation department
or the director’s authorized representative.
means a person who:
Is a natural parent, an adoptive parent, or a stepparent of
a youth;
Is, under court order, the guardian of a youth or is a public
or private agency with whom a youth has been placed by a court; or
Otherwise has legal custody or is the primary caregiver and
has the authority to enroll a youth in the after-school recreation
program.
means a youth whose parent has completed all required registration
procedures and who is determined by the director to be eligible to
participate in the after-school recreation program.
means any person hired to work for the department who is
assigned responsibility for managing, administering, or implementing
some portion of the after-school recreation program. The term includes
recreation manager, recreation center supervisor, recreation program
coordinator, after-school supervisor, after-school assistant supervisor
and after-school counselor.
means a notebook of policies, procedures, required forms,
and organizational and programming information relevant to the city’s
after-school recreation program, as promulgated or otherwise approved
by the director.
means the main facility and administrative site for the after-school
recreation program.
means a full-time professional employee of the department
who is responsible for managing the recreational facility where the
after-school recreation program is conducted and managing the daily
operation of the after-school recreation program, including activity
planning, staff training, scheduling and supervision, and enforcement
of all rules, and is responsible for managing and overseeing the planning,
administration, and implementation of the after-school recreation
program.
means a full-time professional employee of the department
who is responsible for the overall operation of the Clay Madsen Recreation
Center, the senior center and city-wide community events, and assisting
the director. The recreation manager is also responsible for the payroll.
means all provisions contained in this division.
means a person who is not less than five years of age and
no more than 13 years of age.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
The
director shall implement, administer, and enforce the after-school
recreation program standards of care. The director may by written
order establish such rules, regulations and policies, not inconsistent
with this division, as the director determines are necessary to discharge
any duty under or to effectuate the policies of this division.
(b)
No
after-school recreation program may be advertised as a child care
program or facility.
(c)
When
registering for the after-school recreation program, each participant’s
parent will be provided a current copy of the standards of care and
will be informed that the after-school recreation program is not licensed
by the state. A current copy of the standards of care shall be maintained
by the city secretary and will also be available at the program site
for inspection and review by the public and by program employees.
(d)
The
director, through the human resources department of the city, shall
cause a criminal background check to be conducted on each prospective
after-school recreation program employee who is 18 years or older.
If results of that criminal check indicate that an applicant has been
convicted of any of the following offenses, the applicant will not
be considered for employment:
(1)
A felony or a misdemeanor classified as an offense against a person
or family;
(2)
A felony or misdemeanor classified as public indecency;
(3)
A felony or misdemeanor violation of any law intended to control
the possession or distribution of any controlled substance;
(4)
Any offense involving moral turpitude; or
(5)
Any offense that would potentially put youth participants or the
city at risk.
(e)
The
provisions of this division are administrative in nature and are not
subject to criminal penalties.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
The
recreation center supervisor, coordinator, after-school supervisor
or after-school assistant supervisor shall initiate an inspection
report for the after-school recreation program to confirm that the
standards of care are being met. Each inspection report will be sent
to the recreation manager for review and kept on record for at least
three years.
(b)
The
recreation manager shall make a monthly inspection of the after-school
recreation program site for compliance with the standards of care
and shall provide a report to the director. The director shall review
the report and establish deadlines and criteria for program compliance
with the standards of care, as necessary.
(c)
Any
complaint regarding enforcement of the standards of care at the after-school
recreation program must be directed to the recreation center supervisor
or coordinator. The recreation center supervisor or coordinator shall
take necessary steps to resolve each problem. The complaint and its
resolution must be recorded by the recreation center supervisor or
coordinator. The director shall address any complaint regarding enforcement
of the standards of care that cannot be resolved by the recreation
center supervisor or coordinator.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
Before a youth may be enrolled in the after-school recreation
program, a parent must sign registration forms that contain the following
information:
(1)
The
youth’s name, date of birth (with proof of age), age, address,
home telephone number, grade level, and school name; children are
to be at least 5 (five) years of age and no more than 13 (thirteen)
years of age;
(2)
The
name and address of each parent, a home telephone number, and a telephone
number where each parent may be reached during program hours;
(3)
The
name and telephone number of the youth’s physician;
(4)
The
name and telephone number of the person that can be contacted in case
of an emergency if the parent cannot be reached;
(5)
The
name, telephone number, driver’s license number and relationship
to the youth of each person to whom the child may be released;
(6)
A
statement of the youth’s special problems or needs;
(7)
A
statement of the youth’s allergic reactions;
(8)
A
list of medications the youth is taking;
(9)
Transportation
authorization and school information;
(10)
Photo release;
(11)
An emergency medical authorization;
(12)
A liability waiver; and
(13)
An acknowledgment that the parent has been informed and understands
that the program is not licensed by the state.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
Every program employee shall report suspected child abuse or
neglect in accordance with the Texas Family Code.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
The
recreation manager must meet all of the following qualifications:
(1)
Be at least 21 years of age;
(2)
Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
or the equivalent in one of the following areas:
(3)
Have four years of experience in providing recreation or leisure
time services;
(4)
Have a minimum of one year of administrative and supervisory experience;
(5)
Pass a background investigation including but not limited to testing
for illegal substances; and
(6)
Have a valid Texas driver’s license and a driving record which
meets current city auto liability insurance requirements.
(b)
The
recreation manager is responsible for:
(1)
The overall operation of the city’s indoor recreation center,
the city parks, and city-wide community events;
(2)
Providing staff assistance to the director;
(3)
Monitoring program compliance with appropriate federal, state and
local rules and regulations; and
(4)
Knowing and following all city, departmental, and program standards,
policies and procedures that apply to the after-school recreation
program.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
The
recreation center supervisor must meet all of the following qualifications:
(1)
Be at least 21 years of age;
(2)
(4)
Pass a background investigation including but not limited to testing
for illegal substances;
(5)
Have a valid Texas driver’s license and a driving record which
meets current city auto liability insurance requirements; and
(6)
Have successfully completed a course and obtained certification in
first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) based on either
American Heart Association or American Red Cross standards.
(b)
The
recreation center supervisor is responsible for:
(1)
Planning, developing and implementing programs, while managing daily
facility and staff operations;
(2)
Maintaining appropriate records and preparing requested reports;
(3)
Managing the daily operation and usage of the recreation facility
and the after-school recreation program in compliance with the standards
of care;
(4)
Assisting in the hiring of staff and monitoring staff performance;
supervising and evaluating the after-school recreation program staff;
and
(5)
Knowing and following all city, departmental, and program standards,
policies and procedures that apply to the after-school recreation
program.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
The
after-school supervisor must meet all of the following qualifications:
(1)
Be at least 19 years of age;
(2)
Have experience in one of the following areas:
(3)
Have a minimum of one year’s experience planning and implementing
recreational activities or related experience;
(4)
Pass a background investigation including but not limited to testing
for illegal substances;
(5)
Have successfully completed a course and obtained certification for
the current year in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
based on either American Heart Association or American Red Cross standards;
(6)
Have a valid Texas driver’s license and a driving record which
meets current city auto liability insurance requirements; and
(7)
Have a high school diploma or GED.
(b)
The
after-school supervisor is responsible for:
(1)
Managing the daily operations of the after-school recreation program
in compliance with the standards of care;
(2)
Enforcing the standards of care;
(3)
Scheduling, supervising, training and preparing the payroll of employees
for the after-school recreation program;
(4)
Planning, implementing, and evaluating the after-school recreation
program; and
(5)
Knowing and following all city, departmental, and program standards,
policies and procedures that apply to the after-school recreation
program.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
Each
counselor must meet all of the following qualifications:
(1)
Be 16 years of age or older;
(2)
Have successfully completed a course and obtained certification for
the current year in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
based on either American Heart Association or American Red Cross standards;
(3)
Pass a background investigation including but not limited to testing
for illegal substances; and
(4)
Must be working towards their high school diploma.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
The
department shall provide training and orientation to program employees
relating to working with youth in general and relating to the specific
job responsibilities of each employee. The recreation center supervisor
or a coordinator shall provide staff with a program manual specific
to the after-school recreation program.
(b)
Each
program employee will be trained in appropriate procedures for handling
emergencies and in other areas, including but not limited to city,
departmental, and program policies and procedures, provision of recreational
activities and safety issues.
(c)
Each
program employee shall be familiar with these standards of care for
the after-school recreation program and with all program policies,
including but not limited to check-in and check-out, late pickup,
discipline and release of participants, as outlined in the program
manual.
(d)
Each
program employee will be required to sign an acknowledgment that the
employee received the training required under this section.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
In
the after-school recreation program, the maximum ratio of participants
to staff will be 12:1.
(b)
At
all times at least one employee who is 16 years of age or older must
be present at the program site.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
A
program employee shall implement discipline and guidance in a consistent
manner based on the best interests of program participants.
(b)
No
corporal punishment or treatment may be used. A program employee may
use brief, supervised separation of a participant from the group,
if necessary.
(c)
As
necessary, program employees shall provide discipline reports to the
parents of participants. A parent will be asked to sign a participant’s
discipline report to indicate that the parent has been advised about
a specific problem or incident.
(d)
An
excessive number of discipline reports or discipline reports of a
severe nature, as described in the program manual, may result in a
participant being suspended from a program.
(e)
Any
participant who poses a danger to other participants or staff will
be removed from the program site as soon as possible.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
A
program employee shall plan, organize, instruct, direct and provide
activities according to the participants’ ages, interests, and
abilities. The activities shall be appropriate, structured and well
prepared to each participant’s health, safety, and well-being.
The activities shall also be flexible and promote each participant’s
emotional, social, and mental growth.
(b)
A
program employee shall encourage all youth to participate in the various
program activities.
(c)
A
program employee shall stress friendliness, fair play and good sportsmanship
to all participants.
(d)
A
program employee shall be attentive and considerate of the participants’
safety on field trips and during any transportation provided by the
program. A program employee must have a written list of all participants
in each group and shall check the roll frequently.
(e)
During
trips, each program employee who supervises participants shall maintain
immediate access to the emergency medical forms and emergency contact
information for each participant. First aid supplies and a guide to
first aid and emergency care must be readily available to each program
employee on every field trip.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
The program site must have a mobile telephone/radio for use
in contacting department personnel and making emergency calls.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
Before
a participant may be transported to or from a city-sponsored activity,
a transportation form, completed by a parent of the participant, must
be filed with a coordinator.
(b)
Every
program vehicle used for transporting youth participants must be equipped
with:
(1)
First aid supplies and a first aid and emergency care guide that
are easily accessible to program employees in the vehicle; and
(2)
An operable portable fire extinguisher that is installed in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle and that is easily accessible to program
employees in the vehicle.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
A
participant will be released from the after-school recreation program
only to a parent or to a person designated by the parent in the registration
forms.
(b)
If
the parent or other person designated by the parent to pick up the
youth is unknown to program staff, a participant will be released
from the after-school recreation program only after photo identification
is reviewed against the information provided in the registration forms.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
(a)
Safety.
(1)
Program employees shall inspect the program site daily to detect
sanitation and safety concerns that might affect the health and safety
of the participants. All sanitation or safety concerns shall be reported
by program employees to the coordinator or recreation center supervisor,
who will keep a log of the concerns reported and how each concern
was handled. The log will be kept for a minimum of three years.
(2)
All buildings, grounds, and equipment at the program site must be
inspected, cleaned, repaired, and maintained to protect the health
of the participants. Program employees shall report any needed repairs
or damage to the recreation facility to the coordinator or recreation
center supervisor. The coordinator or recreation center supervisor
will cause the repair or damage to be taken care of immediately and
will keep a log of the outcome for a minimum of three years.
(3)
All equipment and supplies used in a program must be safe for use
by the participants.
(4)
First aid supplies must be readily available to all program employees
at the program site, during transportation to an off-site activity,
and for the duration of any off-site activity. A program employee
shall maintain first aid supplies in a designated location, readily
available to staff. Each program employee must at all times have immediate
access to a guide to first aid and emergency care.
(5)
Air conditioners, electric fans, and heaters at the program site
must be mounted out of the participants’ reach or have safeguards
that keep participants from being injured.
(b)
Fire or other emergencies.
(1)
In case of fire, danger of fire, explosion, or any other emergency,
a program employee’s first priority is to evacuate the participants
to a designated safe area.
(2)
The program site must have at least one fire extinguisher that is
readily available to all program employees.
(3)
Fire drills will be initiated at the program site twice a year.
(c)
Health.
(1)
Illness or injury.
(A)
A youth who is considered to be a health or safety concern to other
participants or employees will not be admitted to a program.
(B)
Illnesses and injuries will be handled in a manner that protects
the health of all participants and employees.
(C)
A program employee shall follow plans to provide emergency care for
injured participants with symptoms of an acute illness as specified
in the program manual.
(D)
Each program employee shall follow the recommendation of the department
of state health services concerning the admission or readmission of
any participant after a communicable disease.
(2)
Medication.
Program employees shall not be permitted
to administer, dispense or store medication, including injections,
for a participant.
(3)
Toilet facilities.
The program site must have toilets
located and equipped so that participants can use them independently
and program employees can supervise as needed.
(4)
Sanitation.
(A)
The program site must have adequate light, ventilation, and heat.
(B)
The program must be provided with an adequate supply of water meeting
the standards of the department of state health services for drinking
water. A program employee shall ensure that water is supplied to participants
in a safe and sanitary manner.
(C)
Program employees shall ensure that garbage is removed daily from
the program site and ensure that all food and crumbs have been swept
and thrown away.
(Ordinance 2010-12-479 adopted 12/13/10)
