R501-22-8. Physical Facility

  A. Live-in staff shall have separate living space with a private bathroom.

  B. The program shall have space to serve as an administrative office for records, secretarial work and bookkeeping.

  C. Space shall be provided for private and group counseling sessions.

  D. Bathrooms -- The following bathroom standards shall apply.

  1. There shall be separate bathrooms, including a toilet, lavatory, tub or shower, for males and females. These shall be maintained in good operating order and in a clean and safe condition.

  2. Consumer to bathroom ratios shall be 10 to one.

  3. Bathrooms shall accommodate consumers with physical disabilities, as required.

  4. Each bathroom shall be maintained in good operating order and be equipped with toilet paper, towels, and soap.

  5. There shall be mirrors secured to the walls at convenient heights.

  6. Bathrooms shall be placed as to allow access without disturbing other residents during sleeping hours.

  7. Bathrooms shall be ventilated by mechanical means or equipped with a screened window that opens.

  8. Domestic Violence Shelters Bathrooms

  a. family members may share bathrooms, and

  b. where bathrooms are shared by more than one family or by children over the age of eight, parents or program staff shall ensure that privacy is protected.

  9. Temporary Homeless Youth Shelters Bathrooms

  a. Single occupancy unisex bathrooms are permissible.

  E. Sleeping Accommodations

  1. A minimum of 60 square feet per consumer shall be provided in a multiple occupant bedroom and 80 square feet in a single occupant bedroom. Storage space shall not be counted.

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

  3. Each bed, none of which shall be portable, shall be solidly constructed and be provided with clean linens after each consumer stay and at least weekly.

  4. Sleeping quarters serving male and female residents shall be structurally separated.

  5. Consumers shall be allowed to decorate and personalize bedrooms with respect for other residents and property.

  6. For Domestic Violence Shelters, Family Support Centers, Temporary Homeless Youth Shelters and children's shelters, the following shall apply:

  a. A minimum of 40 square feet per consumer shall be provided in a multiple occupant bedroom. Storage space shall not be counted. The use of one crib for children under two years of age shall not be counted in the square foot requirement as long as it does not inhibit access to and from the room.

  b. Roll away and hide-a-beds may be used as long as the consumer square foot requirement is maintained.

  c. Family members are allowed to share bedrooms. Where bedrooms are shared by more than one family, parents or program staff shall make appropriate arrangements to ensure privacy is protected.

  7. For Temporary Homeless Youth Shelters, the following shall apply:

  a. A minimum of 40 square feet per consumer shall be provided in a multiple occupant dormitory style bedroom. Storage space shall not be counted.

  b. For youth with their own children, a minimum of 40 square feet per person shall be provided in an separately enclosed bedroom that houses only youth that have their own children. Storage space shall not be counted.

  F. Equipment

  1. Furniture and equipment shall be of sufficient quantity, variety, and quality to meet program and consumer needs.

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

  G. Storage

  1. The program shall have locked storage for medications.

  2. The program shall have locked storage for hazardous chemicals and materials, according to the direction of the local fire authorities.

  3. Any weapons brought into the facility shall be secured in a locked storage area or removed from the premises.

  H. Laundry Service

  1. Programs which permit consumers to do their own laundry shall provide equipment and supplies for washing, drying, and ironing.

  2. Programs which provide for common laundry of linens and clothing, shall provide containers for soiled laundry separate from storage for clean linens and clothing.

  3. Laundry appliances shall be maintained in good operating order and in a clean and safe condition.