When a child or youth stays with CPS, CPI, or single source continuum contractor (SSCC) staff overnight, supervision must be a priority for the protection of the child or youth and staff members. To provide proper supervision, CPS, CPI, and SSCC staff must follow these guidelines:

• All children and youth must remain in close proximity to CPS, CPI, or SSCC staff and other trained adult caregivers at all times. The following factors  are considered when determining the type of supervision to provide:
  • Normalcy for the child or youth.
  • The child or youth’s service or treatment plan.
  • The best interest of the child or youth.
• There must be at least two caregivers at every location where at least one child or youth is being supervised. The following requirements apply:
  • At least one of the caregivers must be a CPS, CPI, or SSCC staff member at the caseworker level or above or be a DFPS dedicated youth supervision staff member who has completed required trainings according to the CWOP Required Training Chart [sic, intranet link] PDF DocumentExternal Link.
  • The other caregiver must be at least 21 years old and have completed the appropriate trainings according to the CWOP Required Training Chart [sic, intranet link] PDF DocumentExternal Link.
• There must be at least one DFPS or contracted caregiver for every three children or youth at any one location.
• The CPS or CPI regional director or designee can increase the number of trained adult caregivers at a specific location based on these factors:
  • Gender of all children and youth at a specific location.
  • Age of all children and youth at a specific location.
  • Acuity of the needs of all children and youth at a specific location.
  • Physical location of all children and youth at a specific location.
• According to 11300 Medication and its subitems, the only people responsible for administering and locking up medication are the CPS or CPI staff member (caseworker or above), a DFPS dedicated youth supervision staff member who has completed required CWOP trainings, or a contracted registered nurse (as available).
• The CPS, CPI, or SSCC staff member (caseworker or above) or DFPS dedicated youth supervision staff member must ensure other trained adult caregivers who supervise children or youth without placement have received information about the child or youth, including child sexual history and the supervision needs of the child or youth.
• DFPS temporary staff, DFPS staff in programs other than CPS and CPI, or contracted staff may supervise children and youth without additional approval after completing required training. These staff members count as other trained adult caregivers, but they do not count toward the required number of CPS, CPI, SSCC, or DFPS dedicated youth supervision staff.
• The CPS or CPI regional director must approve the use of verified interns or volunteers for interacting or engaging with children or youth. Verified interns or volunteers do not count in the ratio of children and youth to trained adult caregivers.
• Each trained adult caregiver assigned to supervise the child or youth must remain awake and be ready to meet the needs of the child or youth at all times.
• All trained adult caregivers assigned to supervise children or youth must make sure areas are free from potential hazards.