HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 13012ORDINANCE NO. D
AN ORDINANCE READOPTING AND AMENDING THE
STANDARDS OF CARE FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS OFFERED BY
THE PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BY
THE ADDITION OF SUBSECTION 6(H), PROVIDING THAT
PROGRAM COORDINATORS MUST TAKE A TUBERCULOSIS
TEST EVERY TWO YEARS FROM THEIR EMPLOYMENT DATE
AND PROVIDE PROOF OF A CLEAR TUBERCULOSIS TEST; BY
THE ADDITION OF SUBSECTION 8(H), PROVIDING THAT
PROGRAM LEADERS MUST TAKE A TUBERCULOSIS TEST
EVERY TWO YEARS FROM THE EMPLOYMENT DATE AND
PROVIDE PROOF OF A CLEAR TUBERCULOSIS TEST, AND BY
AMENDING SUBSECTION 16(A), PROVIDING THAT THE
PROGRAM STAFF WILL INSPECT PROGRAM SITES WEEKLY
FOR SANITATION AND .SAFETY CONCERNS AND COMPLETE
A WEEKLY REPORT; PROVIDING THAT THI5 ORDINANCE IS
CUMULATIVE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH, TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
That the Standards of Care for youth programs offered by the Parks and Community
Services Department adopted (Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herem)pursuant
to City Ordinance No 12537 are hereby readopted as amended herein. The amendments
are as follows.
The addition of the following subsection 6(H) .
"H. Coordinators must take a tuberculosis test every two years from their
employment date and provide proof of a clear tuberculosis test."
The addition of the following subsection 8(H).
"H. Leaders must take a tuberculosis test every two years from their
employment date and provide proof of a clear tuberculosis test."
The amendment of subsection 16(A) as follows.
"A. Program staff will inspect Program Sites weekly checking for sanitation and
safety concerns that might affect the health and safety of the Participants A
weekly inspection report will be completed by the Program Staff and kept on
file by the Coordinator "
SECTION 2.
This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances and of the Code
of the City of Fort Worth, Texas (1986), 'as amended, except where the provisions of this
ordinance are m direct conflict with the provisions of such ordinances and such Code, m
which event conflicting provisions of such ordinances and such Code are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the sections,
paragraphs, sentences, clauses and phrases of this ordinance are severable, and, if any
phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section of this ordinance shall be declared
unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction,
such unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences,
paragraphs and sections of this ordinance, since the same would have been enacted by the
City Council without the incorporation m this ordinance of any such unconstitutional
phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section.
SECTION 4.
This ordinance shall be m full force and effect after its passage and it is so ordained.
AP VED AS TO FORM.
ASS TANT CITY ATTORNEY
DATE.
ADOPTED•_ ~~~ D ' ~ /
EFFECTIVE.
FORT WORTH YOUTH PROGRAM STANDARDS OF CARE
The following Standards of Care have been adopted by the City Council of the City of Fort Worth, Texas to
comply with the amendment to Section 42.041 (b)(14), Human Resources Code as approved by the Texas
Legislature during the 74th legislative session. The Standards of Care are intended to be minimum
standards by which the City of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department will operate the
City's Youth Programs. The programs operated by the Crty are recreational m nature and are not day care
programs.
General Administration
Definitions
A. City -City of Fort Worth.
B City Council -City Council of the City of Fort Worth.
C Department -Parks and Community Services Department of the City of Fort Worth.
D Youth Program(s) -City of Fort Worth Youth Programs consisting of the After School
Program, the Summer Day Camp Program, Mobile Recreation Program and other non-school
day programs which last one week (5 days) or longer
E. Program Manual -Notebook of policies, procedures, required forms, and organizational and
programming information relevant to Fort Worth Youth Programs.
F Director - City of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department Director or his/her
designee.
G Program Coordinator or Coordinator -City of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services
Department Staff who has been assigned administrative responsibility for a City of Fort Worth
Youth Program.
H. Program Leader -City of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department full-time,
part-time staff, contract instructor or volunteer who has been assigned responsibility to
implement the City's Youth Programs.
I. Program Site -Area or facilities where City of Fort Worth Youth Programs are held.
J Participant - A youth whose parent(s) or guardian(s) have completed all required registration
procedures and determined to be eligible for a Fort Worth Youth Program.
K. Parent(s) -This term will be used to represent one or both parent(s) or guardian(s) who have
legal custody and authority to enroll their child(ren) m the Fort Worth Youth Program.
L. Program Staff -Term used to describe the person or persons who have been hired or have
volunteered to work for the City of Fort Worth and have been assigned responsibility for
managing, administering, or implementing some or all portions of the Fort Worth Youth
Programs. This definition also includes program coordinator, program leader
M. Community Center -One type of facility used to host any program as listed in 1.D
2 Organization
A. The governing body of the City of Fort Worth Youth Program is the Fort Worth City Council.
B Implementation of the Youth Program Standards of Care ~s the responsibility of the Parks and
Community Services Department Director and Departmental staff
C Youth Programs to which these Standards of Care will apply are the After School Program, the
Summer Day Camp Program, Mobile Recreation Program and other non-school day programs
that last one week or longer
D Each Program Site will have a current copy of the Standards of Care available for public and
staff
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E. Parents of Participants will be provided a current copy of the Standazds of Caze prior to the
start of the Youth Program, preferably during the registration process.
F Criminal background checks will be conducted on prospective Program Staff. If results of that
criminal check indicate that an applicant has been convicted of any of the following offenses,
he or she 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 a misdemeanor classified as public indecency,
(3) a felony or a 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 the City of Fort Worth at risk.
Inspection/Monitormg/Enforcement
A. A monthly inspection report will be initiated by the Coordinator of each Youth Program to
confirm compliance with the Standards of Care.
(1) Inspection reports will be sent to the Director for review and kept on record for at least
two yeazs.
(2) The Director will review the report and establish deadlines and criteria for compliance
with the Standards of Care.
B The Director will make visual inspections of the Youth Program based on the following
schedule.
(1) Each After School Program Site will be inspected bimonthly This may be scheduled
or unscheduled.
(2) The Summer Day Camp Youth Program and Mobile Recreation Youth Program will be
inspected twice during their summer schedule.
(3) The other non-school day Youth Programs will be inspected once during the school
breaks.
C Complaints regarding enforcement of the Standards of Care will be directed to the Coordinator
The Coordinator will be responsible for taking the necessary steps to resolve the problems
Complaints regarding enforcement of the Standards of Care and their resolution will be
recorded by the Coordinator Serious complaints regarding enforcement of the Standards of
Care will be addressed by the Director and the complaints and the resolutions will be noted.
D The Director will make an annual report to the City Council on the overall status of the Youth
Programs and their operation relative to compliance with the adopted Standards of Care.
4 Enrollment
A. Before a child can become a Youth Program Participant, the parents must sign registration
forms that contain the child's
(1) name, address and home telephone number,
(2) In Case of an Emergency contact names and telephone numbers during Youth Program
(3) the names and telephone numbers of people to whom the child can be released,
(4) a statement of the child's special problems and/or needs,
(5) emergency medical authorization, Doctor's name, telephone number,
(6) a liability waiver and
(7) designation of need for reasonable accommodations.
Suspected Abuse
A. Program Staff will report suspected child abuse m accordance with the Texas Family Code,
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telephone number, (817) 640-6200 M
B Program Staff will receive basic training related to child abuse prevention and how to report
suspected abuse.
Staffing -Responsibilities and Training
6 Program Coordinator (Coordinator) Qualifications
A. Coordinators will be a professional staff of the City of Fort Worth Parks and Community
Services Department and will be required to have all Program Leader qualifications as outlined
in Section 8 of this document.
B Coordinators must be at least 21 years old.
C. Coordinators must have a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university or a
minimum of five (5) years of full-time recreation program supervision experience in Pazks and
Recreation. Acceptable degrees include Recreation Administration or General Recreation,
Physical Education, Horticulture, Elementary or Secondary Education, Biology, Zoology,
Environmental Education or any other comparable degree plan that would lend itself to
working m a public recreation environment.
D Coordinators must have a minimum of two years experience planning and implementing
recreation or educational activities.
E. Coordinators must be able to pass a background investigation including a test for illegal
substances.
F Coordinators must have successfully completed a course in first aid and Cazdio Pulmonary
• Resuscitation (CPR) based on American Heart Association, American Red Cross or National
Safety Council Standards and have current certification
G Coordinators must be able to furnish proof of a clear tuberculosis test taken within 12 months
prior to their employment date.
H. Coordinators must take a tuberculosis test every two years from their employment date and
provide proof of a clear tuberculosis test.
7 Coordinator Responsibilities
A. Coordinators are responsible for administrating the Youth Program's daily operations in
compliance with the adopted Standards of Care.
B Coordinators are responsible for recommending for hiring, supervising and evaluating Leaders.
C. Coordinators are responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating Youth Programs
8 Program Leader (Leader) Qualifications
A. Leaders will be full-time, part-time, or temporary employees of the Parks and Community
Services Department or volunteers.
B Leaders working with Participants must be age 16 or older, however, each Program Site will
have at least one Staff 18 years or older present at all times and all leaders must be at least 4
years older than the participants they are working with.
C Leaders should be able to consistently exhibit competency, good judgment and self-control
when working with Participants.
D Leaders must relate to Participants with courtesy, respect, tolerance and patience
E Leaders should have current certification in first aid and CPR based on either American Heart
Association, American Red Cross or National Safety Council standards. At least one Leader at
• each Program Site must have current certifications.
F Each leader applicant must be able to furnish proof of a clear tuberculosis test which was
completed within the 12 months prior to their employment date.
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G Leaders must pass a background investigation including a test for illegal substances.
H. Leaders must take a tuberculosis test every two years from their employment date and provide
proof of a clear tuberculosis test.
9 Leader Responsibilities
A. Leaders will be responsible for providing Participants with an environment in which they can
feel safe, enjoy wholesome recreation activities and participate in appropriate social
opportunities with their peers.
B Leaders will be responsible to know and adhere to all City, Departmental, and Youth Program
standards, policies and procedures that apply to the Youth Programs.
C Leaders must ensure that Participants are released only to a Parent or an adult designated by the
Parent. All Program Sites will have a copy of the Department guidelines to verify the identity
of a person authorized to pick up a Participant if that person is not known to the Leader
10 Training/Orientation
A. The Department is responsible to provide training and orientation to Youth Program staff in
working with Participants and for specific job responsibilities. Coordinators will provide each
Leader with a Program Manual specific to each Youth Program.
B Leaders must be familiar with the Standards of Care for Youth Programs as adopted by the City
C Council.
Program Staff must be familiar with the Youth Program's policies including discipline,
guidance and release of Participants as outlined in the Program Manual.
D Program Staff will be trained m appropriate procedures to handle emergencies.
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E. es
Program Staff will be trained in areas including City, Department and Youth Program polic
and procedures, recreation activities organization, safety issues, program organization, and
other areas as required by Youth Program assigned.
F Program Staff will be required to sign an acknowledgment that they received the required training.
Operations
11 Sta
A. ff-Participant Ratio
In a Youth Program, the standard ratio of Participants to Staff is 20 to 1 In the event a Leader
is unable to report to the Program Site, a replacement will be assigned by the Coordinator In
the case of greenschool, the session would be canceled.
B Each Participant will have a Program Staff who is responsible for him or her and who is aware
of details of the Participant's habits, interests and any special problems as identified by the
Participant's Parents during the registration process.
12. Discipline
A. Program Staff will implement discipline and guidance m a consistent manner based on the best
interests of Participants.
B There will be no cruel treatment or harsh punishment.
C Program Staff will use brief, supervised, separation (time out) from the group if necessary
D As necessary, Program Staff will initiate discipline reports to the Parent(s) of Participants.
Parents will be asked to sign Participant discipline reports to indicate they have been advised
about specific problems or incidents.
E. A sufficient number and/or severe nature of discipline reports, as detailed in the Program
Manual, may result m a Participant being suspended from the Youth Program
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F Participants will be removed from the Program Site as soon as possible in instances of danger
to other Participants or Staff
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13 Programming
A. Program Staff will provide cultural, educational and recreational programs for each group of
Participants according to their ages, interests and abilities. The activities will be appropriate to
Participant's health, safety and well-being. The activities also will be flexible and promote the
Participant's emotional, social and mental growth.
B Program Staff will attempt to provide indoor and outdoor time periods to include:
(1) alternating active and passive activities,
(2) opportunity for individual, small and large group activities, and
(3) outdoor time each day as weather permits based upon room availability and weather
conditions.
C Program Staff will be attentive and considerate of the Participant's safety on field trips and
during any transportation provided by the Youth Program.
(1) During f eld trips, Program Staff will have authorization for emergency medical care
and emergency contact information for each Participant.
(2) Program Staff will have a written list of the Participants in the group and must check
the roll frequently, specifically before departure to and from destination.
(3) Program Staff will have first aid supplies and a guide to first aid and emergency care
available on field trips.
14 Communication
Each remote Program Site will have a pager to allow the Site to be contacted by Staff and each Program Site
. will have access to a telephone for use m contacting Staff or making emergency telephone calls.
B At each Program Site the Coordinator will post the following telephone numbers adjacent to a
telephone accessible to all Program Staff:
(1) City of Fort Worth ambulance or emergency medical services
(2) City of Fort Worth Police Department
(3) City of Fort Worth Fire Department
(4) Parks and Community Services Department Administrative Office
(5) Numbers at which parents may be reached
(6) Telephone number and address for the Program Site itself
(7) Telephone number of Coordinator's office
15 Transportation
A. Before a Participant can be transported to and from City sponsored activities, a transportation
form, completed and signed by a Parent of the Participant, will be filed with the Coordinator
B First aid supplies and a first aid and emergency guide will be available in all Youth Program
vehicles that transport Participants.
C All vehicles used for transporting .Participants will have a 6-BC portable fire extinguisher
installed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, accessible to the adult occupants.
D Seatbelts will be worn if provided.
E. Participants will be oriented to expected behavior and safety rules
• Facility Standards
16 Safety
A. Program staff will inspect Program Sites weekly checking for sanitation and safety concerns
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• that might affect the health and safety of the Participants. A weekly inspection report will be
completed by the Program staff and kept of staff and kept on file with by the Coordinator by
the Coordinator
B Buildings, grounds and equipment on the Program Site will be inspected, cleaned, repaired and
maintained to protect the health of the Participants.
C. Program Site equipment and supplies will be safe for the Participants use.
D Program Staff will have first aid supplies available at each Program Site in a designated
location, during transportation, and for the duration of any off-Site activity Program Staff will
have an immediate access to a guide for first aid and emergency care.
E. Program Site air conditioners, electric fans and heaters will be mounted out of Participant's
reach or have safeguards that keep Participants from being injured.
F Program Site porches and platforms more than 30 inches above the ground will be equipped
with railings, except performance stages.
17 Fire
A. In case of fire, danger of fire, explosion or other emergency, Program Staff first priority is to
evacuate the Participants to apre-designated safe area.
B The Program Site will have an annual fire inspection by the local Fire Marshall, and the
resulting report will detail any safety concerns observed. The report will be forwarded to the
Director who will review it and establish the deadline and criteria for compliance.
C Each Program Site will have at least one fire extinguisher approved by the Fire Marshall.
readily available to all Program Staff. The fire extinguisher will be inspected monthly by the
. Coordinator, and a monthly report will be forwarded to the Director who will keep the report
on file for a minimum of two years. All Program Staff will be trained in the proper use of fire
extinguisher
D Fire drills will 6e initiated at Program Sites based on the following schedule.
(1) After School Youth Program - Once every three months
(2) Other Youth Programs -Once during each session
18 Health
A. Illness or Injury
(1) A Participant who is considered to be a health or safety concern to other Participants or
Staff will not be admitted to the Youth Program.
(2) Illnesses and injuries will be handled in a manner to protect the health of all
Participants and Staff.
(3) Program Staff will follow emergency procedures for injured Participants or for
Participants with symptoms of an acute illness as specified m the Program Manual.
(4) Program Staff will follow the recommendations of the Texas Department of Health
concerning the admission or readmission of any Participant after a communicable
disease
B Program Staff has the option to administer medication. If the Program Staff exercises this
option, they will administer medication only if•
(1) Parent(s) complete and sign a medication form that provides authorization for Staff to
dispense medication with details as to times and dosages. The form will include a hold
harmless clause to protect the City
• (2) Prescription medications are in the original containers labeled with the Participant's name,
a date, directions and the physician's name. Program Staff will administer the
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medication only as stated on the label. Program Staff will not administer medication
after the expiration date.
(3) Nonprescription medications are labeled with the Participant's name and the date the
medication was brought to the Youth Program. Nonprescription medication must be in
the original container The Program Staff will administer medication only according to
label directions.
(4) Medications dispensed will be limited to routine oral ingestion, not requiring special
knowledge or skills on the part of the Program Staff. No injections will be
administered by the Program Staff.
(5) Program staff will ensure medications are inaccessible to Participants. If necessary,
medications will be kept m the refrigerator (when available). Medications will .be kept
separate from the food.
C Toilet Facilities
(1) The Program Site will have toilets located and equipped so Participants can use them
independently and Program Staff can monitor as needed.
(2) There will be one toilet for every 30 Participants. Urinals may be counted in the ratio
of toilets to Participants, but will not exceed 50% of the total number of toilets.
(3) An adequate number of lavatories wilt be provided.
D Sanitation
(1} The indoor Program Sites must have adequate light, ventilation, air conditioning and
heat.
(2) The Program Site will have an adequate supply of water meeting the Texas Department
of Health standards for drinking water Water will be supplied to the Participants m a
safe and sanitary manner
(3) Program Staff will remove garbage from Program Srtes daily
(4) All waste matters will be kept m a leakproof, covered container
END OF STANDARDS OF CARE
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City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
05/20/97 + G-11896 ~ 80CARE I 1 of 2
SUBJECT PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE FOR STANDARDS OF CARE FOR
YOUTH PROGRAMS
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that City Council adopt the attached ordinance establishing Standards of Care
for youth programs in the Parks and Community Services Department
DISCUSSION
In May 1996, the City Council adopted an ordinance for Standards of Care for youth programs
This ordinance was adopted in accordance with an amendment to Section 42 041 (b) (14), of
the State Human Resources Code as approved by the Texas Legislature during the 74th
Legislative Session Based on that legislation, municipal youth recreation programs can be
exempted from the state's child care licensing requirement if the cities comply with the
provisions of that legislation, which amends the Human Resources Code
Specifically section 42 01 (b) (74), Human Resources Code states thatan elementary-age (ages
5-73) recreation program operated by a municipality is exempt from the code provided that the
governing body of the municipality annually adopts standards of care by ordinance after a public
hearing for such programs, that such standards are provided to the parents of each program
participant, and that the ordinance shall include, at a minimum, staffing ratios, minimum staff
qualifications, minimum facility, health and safetystandards, and mechanisms formonitoring and
enforcing the adopted local standards, and further provided that parents be informed that the
program is not licensed by the state and the program may not be advertised as a child-care
facility
According to the Human Resources Code, the Standards of Care must be annually adopted by
ordinance Prior to submitting the Standards of Care for approval for 1997-98, staff reviewed
the standards and made changes to include the following
• Coordinators and leaders must take a tuberculosis test every two years from their
employment date and provide proof of a clear tuberculosis test
• Program staff will inspect program sites week) and complete an inspection report weekly
At its~regular.meeting on March 18, 1997 the Parks and Community Services Advisory Board
voteci~~t`o.{ coricu~{~.vvith staff's recommendation to the City Council to adopt by ordinance the
Standards of Care
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Printed on Regded Paper
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
Printed on Regded Paper ~~
Adopted Ordinance No