MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES CHILDREN’S DIVISION RESPITE CARE PROVIDER CHECKLIST FOR:
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Physical Standards of Respite Care Home
Home is located so as to have access to schools, recreation, religious and other community resources. Home is constructed, arranged, and maintained to provide adequately for occupant's health and safety. Size, space, furnishings, and equipment comfortably accommodate the family and children in care. The home meets all local, county, and state fire, health, sanitation, and safety requirements. (The Division can require an inspection by officials.) All flammable liquids, matches, cleaning supplies, poisonous materials, medicines or other hazardous items are stored so as to be inaccessible to children, taking into consideration the age and mental capacities of the children. Private water supply is safe for human consumption. Testing may be required. (Cost for testing shall be covered by the applicant.) The interior of the home is free from an accumulation of visible dirt and any evidence of vermin and rodent infestations. All rooms have proper lighting and ventilation. Windows and doors shall be screened as needed unless the area is air-conditioned. All interior doors, when locked, may be opened from the outside in an emergency. The home has space for indoor play and access to outdoor play. The outdoor play space shall be fenced when, in the judgment of the Division, nearby street traffic, railroad tracks, lake, river, swimming pool, or other potential hazards suggest the necessity. A mobile home has lattice or solid skirting and is securely anchored by cable to the ground.
Sleeping Arrangements
Sleeping rooms for the foster child(ren) are located within the respite family home. No foster child shall be permitted to sleep in any unfinished attic or basement or any other room not normally used for sleeping. Sleeping rooms for children under ten (10) years of age are not located in finished basement bedrooms or above the second floor of a single family dwelling unless suitable heating, ventilation, and humidity control, and all exits from such bedrooms are approved by the Division. A responsible adult sleeps within call of the child at night. Foster children of the opposite sex, who are six (6) years of age or older shall not sleep in the same room. Foster children two (2) years of age or older shall not sleep in the bedroom of the respite parent(s) except for special temporary care, such as during a child's illness. Each bed or crib is of such size as to insure comfort of the foster child, and shall have a firm mattress or an orthopedic supportive surface, in good, clean condition, with water proof covering (if needed) and suitable covers adequate to the season. Foster children under age two (2) shall have separate beds. Foster children over age two (2) shall have bed space equivalent to one-half of a full size bed.
Fire and Safety Requirements
The home shall have a working telephone or an agency approved form of emergency contact. Telephone numbers of the fire department, police, doctor, and ambulance are posted at all times. The house number is plainly visible from the street in case of an emergency. The respite care family has a posted plan for evacuation in case of fire. Foster children will be instructed in the evacuation plan. Every room used for sleeping, living, or dining purposes has at least two means of exit, at least one of which is a door or stairway providing a means of unobstructed travel to the outside. An operable window will be considered as one means of exit. Rooms or space accessible by ladder, folding stairs or trap doors is not used for living or sleeping purposes. In apartment buildings, where the respite care family's residence is second floor or above, there is an exit stairway. An operable smoke detector, with batteries installed, is located where sleeping areas can be alerted. A charged, portable ABC fire extinguisher of at least 5-pound capacity is located near the kitchen area. Heating appliances are not located in a place which blocks escape in case of malfunctioning, which could result in a fire. Fireplaces, woodstoves, heaters, radiators, or floor furnaces are protected as required by the fire inspector. A carbon monoxide detector is installed if the home has gas appliances.
Weapons Requirements
Firearms and ammunition are stored so as to be inaccessible to children. Ammunition is stored separately from any weapons. Firearms and ammunition are stored in locked areas or cabinets with keys secured so as to be inaccessible to children. No firearms shall be kept in any vehicle transporting (unless weapons are inaccessible to the foster child – i.e. in a locked glove box or other locked container or in the trunk of the vehicle) or on any person providing care or supervision to foster children. (An exception will be made for any person transporting a foster child who must carry a weapon as part of their job responsibilities – i.e. law enforcement officers.) No firearms possessed in violation of a state or federal law or local government ordinance shall be present at any time in the home, on any household member, or in any vehicle in which the children are riding.
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