R501-15-9. Physical Environment

1. A therapeutic school shall provide written verification of compliance with:

a. local zoning ordinances;

b. local business license requirements;

c. local building codes, as evidenced by the local governmental entity's building inspector;

d. state fire prevention laws and rules; and

e. state and local health codes and rules regarding sanitation and infectious disease control.

2. The building and grounds shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.

3. A therapeutic school shall have on-site offices.

a. Staff and client records shall be stored in locked file cabinets when not in active use.

b. A private office shall be available for individual counseling sessions.

4. A therapeutic school shall provide indoor common areas, such as gymnasiums, recreation areas, cafeterias, classrooms, libraries, and lounges, for group activities.

a. The total common area space in a therapeutic school shall be a minimum of thirty square feet per client.

5.a. A therapeutic school shall maintain a minimum of 3 feet between beds and 2 feet at the end of each bed.

b. Bedroom ceilings shall be a minimum of 7 feet in height.

c. A minimum of fifty square feet per client shall be provided in a multiple occupant bedroom.

i. Storage space shall not be counted when calculating square footage requirements.

d. A minimum eighty square feet per client shall be provided in a single occupant bedroom.

i. Storage space shall not be counted when calculating square footage requirements.

e. Each client shall have a minimum of thirty cubic feet of private storage space.

f. Sleeping areas shall have a source of natural light, and shall be ventilated by mechanical means or equipped with a screened window that opens.

g. Each bed shall be solidly constructed.

h. Bed mattresses shall be in a clean and safe condition.

i. Each client shall be provided with clean linens upon arrival, when soiled, and a minimum of once per week.

j. Sleeping quarters serving male and female clients shall be structurally separated.

6. A therapeutic school shall provide a minimum of one toilet, one sink, one mirror, and one bathtub or shower, for each six clients.

a. Each bathroom shall be designated for males only or for females only.

b. A bathroom with multiple toilets, showers, or bathtubs shall be subdivided to preserve each client's privacy.

c. Each bathroom shall be maintained in good operating order and in a clean and safe condition.

d. Each bathroom shall be equipped with personal hygiene supplies, including but not limited to toilet paper, clean towels, trashcans, and soap.

e. Bathrooms shall be well lighted and ventilated by mechanical means or equipped with a screened window that opens.

7. Live-in staff shall have a separate bedroom with a private bathroom.

8. Clients who are sick shall have a bedroom and bathroom separate from clients who are not sick.

9. All furniture and equipment shall be maintained in a clean and safe condition.

10. School desks or tables, lights, and chairs shall be provided for each client.

11. A therapeutic school shall contract with a laundry service or shall provide laundry appliances and supplies for washing, drying, and ironing.

a. Each client shall have a dirty laundry hamper for personal linens and clothing;

b. all personal linens and clothing shall be laundered weekly;

c. clients who launder their own linens or clothing shall have weekly access to laundry appliances and supplies for washing, drying, and ironing;

d. a common laundry hamper shall be provided for linens owned by the therapeutic school;

i. dirty linens shall be laundered within 72 hours; and

e. laundry appliances shall be maintained in a clean and safe operating condition.

12.a. Firearms, antique firearms, ammunition, and explosive, chemical, or incendiary devices, shall not be permitted on site.

b. Dangerous weapons, including but not limited to tools, knives (including kitchen knives), scissors, matches, lighters, clubs, bats, and arrows, shall be inaccessible to clients, except as specifically authorized in the client manual.

i. A therapeutic school's client manual shall describe which dangerous weapons are permitted and which dangerous weapons are prohibited on site.

A. he determination of permitted and prohibited dangerous weapons shall be made in accordance with the age and behavioral characteristics of the client population to be served.

ii. A therapeutic school's client manual shall describe how dangerous weapons shall be stored, and the circumstances under which they may be accessible to clients.

13.a. Animals and pets shall be free from disease and cared for in a safe and clean manner.

b. A therapeutic school shall maintain a file documenting the health of each pet or domestic animal on site. The file shall include written verification of each animal's current rabies vaccinations, species-specific vaccinations, health care, and health history.