10a ncac 27g .1704      Minimum staffing requirements

(a)  A qualified professional shall be available by telephone or page. A direct care staff shall be able to reach the facility within 30 minutes at all times.

(b)  The minimum number of direct care staff required when children or adolescents are present and awake is as follows:

(1)           two direct care staff shall be present for one, two, three or four children or adolescents;

(2)           three direct care staff shall be present for five, six, seven or eight children or adolescents; and

(3)           four direct care staff shall be present for nine, ten, eleven or twelve children or adolescents.

(c)  The minimum number of direct care staff during child or adolescent sleep hours is as follows:

(1)           two direct care staff shall be present and one shall be awake for one through four children or adolescents;

(2)           two direct care staff shall be present and both shall be awake for five through eight children or adolescents; and

(3)           three direct care staff shall be present of which two shall be awake and the third may be asleep for nine, ten, eleven or twelve children or adolescents.

(d)  In addition to the minimum number of direct care staff set forth in Paragraphs (a)-(c) of this Rule, more direct care staff shall be required in the facility based on the child or adolescent's individual needs as specified in the treatment plan.

(e)  Each facility shall be responsible for ensuring supervision of children or adolescents when they are away from the facility in accordance with the child or adolescent's individual strengths and needs as specified in the treatment plan.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 122C‑26; 143B‑147;

Eff. April 3, 2006 pursuant to E.O. 101, Michael F. Easley, March 27, 2006;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3(c), a bill was not ratified by the General Assembly to disapprove this rule;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. July 20, 2019.