R501-2-7. Behavior Management

A. The program shall have on file for public inspection, a written policy and procedure for the methods of behavior management. These shall include the following:

1. definition of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors of consumers,

2. acceptable staff responses to inappropriate behaviors, and

3. consequences.

B. The policy shall be provided to all staff, and staff shall receive training relative to behavior management at least annually.

C. No management person shall authorize or use, and no staff member shall use, any method designed to humiliate or frighten a consumer.

D. No management person shall authorize or use, and no staff member shall use nor permit the use of physical restraint with the exception of passive physical restraint. Passive physical restraint shall be used only as a temporary means of physical containment to protect the consumer, other persons, or property from harm. Passive physical restraint shall not be associated with punishment in any way.

E. Staff involved in an emergency safety intervention that results in an injury to a resident or staff must meet with the clinical professional to evaluate the circumstances that caused the injury and develop a plan to prevent future injuries.

F. Programs using time out or seclusion methods shall comply with the following:

1. The program will have a written policy and procedure which has been approved by the Office of Licensing to include:

a. Time-out or seclusion is only used when a child's behavior is disruptive to the child's ability to learn to participate appropriately, or to function appropriately with other children or the activity. It shall not be used for punishment or as a substitute for other developmentally appropriate positive methods of behavior management.

b. Time-out or seclusion shall be documented in detail and provide a clear understanding of the incident which resulted in the child being placed in that time-out or seclusion.

c. If a child is placed in time out or seclusion more than twice in any twenty-four hour period, a review is conducted by the clinical professional to determine the suitability of the child remaining in the program.

d. Any one time-out or seclusion shall not exceed 4 hours in duration.

e. Staff is required to maintain a visual contact with a child in time-out or seclusion at all times.

f. If there is any type of emergency such as a fire alarm, or evacuation notification, children in time-out or seclusion shall follow the safety plan.

g. A child placed in time-out or seclusion shall not be in possession of belts, matches, weapons, or any other potentially harmful objects or materials that could present a risk or harm to the child.

2. Time-out or seclusion areas shall comply with the following:

a. Time-out or seclusion rooms shall not have locking capability.

b. Time-out or seclusion rooms shall not be located in closets, bathrooms, or unfurnished basements, attic's or locked boxes.

c. A time-out or seclusion room is not a bedroom, and temporary beds, or mattresses in these areas are not allowed. Time-out and seclusion shall not preclude a child's need for sleep, or normal scheduled sleep period.

d. All time-out or seclusion rooms shall measure at least 75 square feet with a ceiling height of at least 7 feet. They shall have either natural or mechanical ventilation and be equipped with a break resistant window, mirror or camera that allows for full observation of the room. Seclusion rooms shall have no hardware, equipment, or furnishings that obstruct observation of the child, or that present a physical hazard or a suicide risk. Rooms used for time out or seclusion shall be inspected and approved by the local fire department

G. The program's licensed clinical professional shall be responsible for supervision of the behavior management procedure.