Subchapter IV YOUTH PROGRAM STANDARDS OF CARE

This article shall define the standard of care for the city's youth program.

(B)

Pursuant to Rule § 745.115 of Title 40 of the Texas Administrative Code, this article allows the city to operate the youth program without adopting the state-prescribed daycare standards of care and licensing requirements.

(C)

THE CITY DECLARES ITS YOUTH PROGRAM IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE AND IS NOT LICENSED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND THE YOUTH PROGRAM IS NOT A CHILD-CARE OPERATION AND WILL NOT BE ADVERTISED AS A CHILD-CARE FACILITY OR PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW.

(Ordinance 4257 adopted 5/20/2025)

§ 133.107 Administration.

The governing body of the youth program is the City Council. Implementation of the Youth Program Standards of Care is the responsibility of the Parks and Recreation Department Director and the department employees. These standards of care will apply to the youth program. The program site will have available, for public and staff review, a current copy of the Youth Program Standards of Care. Parents of participants will be provided a current copy of the Youth Program Standards of Care during the youth program registration process. Criminal background checks and drug and alcohol screens will be conducted on prospective program staff in the same manner in which the city conducts screens of potential city employees. No person is allowed to be hired as staff for the youth program if the person fails to satisfy all city screening standards.

Before a participant may be enrolled, a parent must sign registration forms that contain:

Name, photograph, address, and home telephone number of the participant;

Name, address, and telephone number of both parents who may need to be contacted during youth program hours;

Alternate emergency contact information;

The names and telephone numbers of people to whom the participant may be released;

A statement of the participant's special problems or needs, including allergies;

Emergency medical authorization;

Proof of residency; and

(h)

A liability release that encompasses all personal injury, including death, and property damage resulting from participation in the youth program.

(B)

A monthly inspection report will be initiated by the Recreation Coordinator of youth program to confirm adherence to the Youth Program Standards of Care. Inspection reports will be sent to the Recreation Supervisor for review and kept on record for at least five years. The Recreation Supervisor will review the report and establish deadlines and criteria for compliance with the Youth Program Standards of Care. The Recreation Supervisor will make visual inspections of the youth program no less than twice during each youth program session.

(C)

Complaints regarding enforcement of the Youth Program Standards of Care will be directed to the Recreation Coordinator. The Recreation Coordinator will be responsible for taking the necessary steps to resolve the problems. Complaints not involving threats to life safety, regarding enforcement of the Youth Program Standards of Care and their resolution, will be recorded by the Recreation Supervisor. Complaints involving life safety as related to enforcement of the Youth Program Standards of Care will be addressed by the Recreation Supervisor and the complaint and resolution will be noted.

(D)

The Recreation Manager or designee will make an annual report to the Park Board on the overall status of the youth program and their compliance with the Youth Program Standards of Care.

(Ordinance 4257 adopted 5/20/2025)

§ 133.108 Standards of care.

Staff-participant ratio.

The standard ratio of participants to Counselors will be no more than 20 to one. In the event a Counselor is unable to report to the site, a replacement will be assigned; and

Each participant shall have a program staff who is responsible for him or her and who is aware of the participant's habits, interests, and any special needs as identified by the participant's parent during the registration process.

(B)

Discipline.

Program staff will be based on the best interests of participants;

There shall be no cruel, harsh, or physically administered punishment or treatment;

Program staff may use brief, supervised separation from the group if necessary;

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 of specific problems or incidents;

(5)

A sufficient number and/or severe nature of discipline reports as detailed in the youth program manual may result in participant being suspended from the youth program; and

(6)

In instances where there is a danger to participants or staff, the offending participant will be removed from the site as soon as possible.

(C)

Programming.

Program staff will attempt to provide activities for each group according to the participants' ages and appropriate to participants' health, safety, and well-being. The activities will be flexible and attempt to promote the participants' emotional, social, and mental growth;

Program staff will provide youth programs that include, but not limited to:

Alternating active and passive activities;

Opportunity for individual and group activities; and

Outdoor time at frequent intervals when weather permits.

Program staff will be attentive and considerate of the safety of participants on field trips and during any transportation provided by the youth program;

During trips, program staff supervising participants must have immediate access to emergency medical forms and emergency contact information for each participant;

(5)

Program staff must have a list of the participants in the group and must check the roll frequently; and

(6)

Program staff must have first aid supplies and a guide to first aid and emergency care available on field trips.

(D)

Communication.

The program site will have a telephone to allow contact by department personnel and for use in contacting the city or making emergency calls; and

The Recreation Coordinator will post the following telephone numbers adjacent to a telephone accessible to all youth program employees at the site:

City ambulance or emergency medical services;

Recreation Supervisor;

Recreation Superintendent;

City police department;

City fire department;

City Hall;

Administrative Offices with Parks and Recreation Department; and

(h)

The telephone number for the site itself.

(E)

Transportation.

Before a participant may be transported to and from youth program activities, an authorization form, completed by the parent(s) of the participant, must be filed with the Recreation Coordinator;

First aid supplies and a first aid and emergency care guide will be available in all youth program vehicles that transport children; and

All youth program vehicles used for transporting participants for field trips and other activities offered as part of the program during normal program hours must have available a 6-BC portable fire extinguisher which will be accessible to the program staff.

(F)

Safety.

Program staff will inspect the site daily to detect sanitation and safety concerns that might affect the health and safety of the participants;

Buildings, grounds, and equipment of and on the site will be inspected, cleaned, repaired, and maintained as needed to protect the health and safety of the participants;

Program staff must have first aid supplies and a guide to first aid and emergency care readily available at the site, during transportation to an off-site activity, and for the duration of any off-site activity; and

Youth program air conditioners, electric fans, and heaters must be mounted out of the reach of participants or have safeguards that keep participants from being injured.

(G)

Fire.

In case of fire, danger of fire, explosion, or another emergency, the priority of program staff is to evacuate the participants to a designated safe area;

The site will have an annual fire inspection by the local fire department, and the resulting report will detail any safety concerns observed. The report will be forwarded to the Recreation Supervisor who will review and establish deadlines and criteria for compliance.

The site must have at least one fire extinguisher approved by the fire marshal readily available to all program staff. The fire extinguisher is to be inspected quarterly, and a quarterly report will be forwarded to the Recreation Supervisor who will keep the report on file for a minimum of five years. All program employees will be trained in the proper use of fire extinguishers; and

Fire drills will be initiated at the site during each month of the program.

(H)

Illness or injury.

A participant who is considered to be a health or safety concern to other participants or program staff will not be admitted to the youth program;

Illnesses and injuries will be handled in a manner to protect the health of all participants and staff;

Program staff will follow plans to provide emergency care for injured participants with symptoms of acute illness as specified in the youth program manual; and

Program staff will follow the recommendation of the Texas Department of Health concerning the admission or re-admission of any participant after a communicable disease.

(I)

Medication.

No medications will be allowed at Camp Wonder other than the following exceptions:

Staff will administer an epinephrine pen for life threating situation if provided for the camper. Staff will be trained to administer the medication.

Campers are not allowed to bring medicines to camp and administer themselves other than insulin and inhaler.

(J)

Toilet facilities.

The program site will have toilets located and equipped so participants can use them independently and program staff can supervise as needed;

An appropriate and adequate number of toilets and lavatories will be provided.

(K)

Sanitation.

The program site must have adequate light, ventilation, and heat;

The youth program must have an adequate supply of water meeting the standards of the Texas Department of Health for drinking water and ensure that it will be supplied to the participants in a safe and sanitary manner; and

Program staff must properly dispose of garbage and debris from the program area daily.

(Ordinance 4257 adopted 5/20/2025)

§ 133.109 Youth program staff.

Staff qualifications and responsibilities:

Recreation Supervisor qualifications:

Will be a full-time, professional employee of the department with a bachelor's degree in Recreation, Recreation Administration or related field;

Responsible for supervising recreation programs, special events, facility activities, memberships, and maintenance;

Recommends for hire, supervises, and evaluates Counselors;

Must pass a background investigation including testing for illegal substances and alcohol in accordance with city hiring standards;

Must be CPR/AED certified; and

Must be certified in First Aid.

Recreation Coordinator qualifications:

Will be a full-time, professional employee of the department with a bachelor's degree in Recreation, Recreation Administration or related field;

Working knowledge of recreation programming and facilities planning;

Plans and evaluates the daily activities and weekly off-site activities of youth program; and

Program staff will report suspected child abuse to the Texas Department of Family and [to] Protective Services, in accordance with the Texas Family Code, telephone number, 1-800-252-5400;

Program staff will receive information related to child abuse identification and prevention, and how to report suspected abuse;

Must pass a background investigation including testing for illegal substances and alcohol in accordance with city hiring standards;

Must be CPR/AED certified; and

(h)

Must be certified in First Aid.

Camp Coordinator responsibilities:

Administers the daily operations of the youth program in compliance with the Youth Program Standards of Care;

Implements, monitors, and evaluates the daily activities and field trips of youth program;

Serves as an immediate authority figure to counselors and participants in the absence of the Recreation Coordinator;

Must be CPR/AED certified; and

Must be certified in First Aid.

Counselor qualifications:

Part-time or temporary employees of the city;

Will be age 17 or older; however, each site will have at least one Counselor 18 years or older present at all times;

Must pass a background investigation including testing for alcohol and illegal substances in accordance with city hiring standards;

Must be CPR/AED certified;

Must be First Aid certified.

Counselor responsibilities:

(i)

Be able to consistently exhibit competence, good judgment, and self-control when working with participants;

(ii)

Relate to participants with courtesy, respect, tolerance, and patience;

(iii)

Provide participants with an environment in which they can feel safe, enjoy wholesome recreation activities, and participate in appropriate social opportunities with their peers;

(iv)

Be responsible for knowing and follow all city and departmental standards, policies, and procedures that apply to the youth program; and

(v)

Ensure that participants are released only to a parent or person on record as being authorized by the parent(s) for pickup. Youth program site will have a copy of the department approved plan to verify the identity of a person authorized to pick up a participant.