Provide a separate, safe, supervised, and enclosed environment for children who must be in court in connection with matters involving them or their caregivers. Serve children from six (6) weeks old through twelve (12) years of age. Operate the center when court is open for general daytime court hours, and staff the center with at least two adequately trained and supervised persons who are paid employees or volunteers. Ensure that the Children’s Center is maintained in good repair and kept clean. Ensure that the Children’s Center and its toys, furnishings, and equipment are safe, clean, and age-appropriate for children. Designate an area of the Children’s Center, when feasible, for infants and toddlers so that they may be separated from older children for safe floor play. Establish an area designed to be welcoming to older children through the use of decorating, furniture, and the activities offered. Complete the SCCP intake form for each visit a caregiver makes to the Center according to SCCP instructions ensuring that only one caregiver—or a person designated by the caregiver or a court order as an alternative to pick up the child(ren)—is allowed in the Center during intake and sign out procedures. Complete “Incident/Accident Reports” on forms to be provided by the SCCP for any injury or illness that occurs in the Children’s Center which requires first aid or medical attention or for an incident that requires the involvement or notification of court officers, security personnel, a provider agency, court staff, law enforcement, or Child Protective Services. Maintain the confidentiality of all information relating to an individual child or caregiver and refrain from disclosing that information without the written permission of the child’s caregiver except as set forth in Exhibit 10. Implement the Children’s Center consistent with current standards for developmentally appropriate practice as established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Ensure that Children’s Center staff prepare developmentally appropriate activities and ensure a sufficient quantity and variety of furniture, toys, books, and materials. Toys, books, and materials must be selected to promote positive images of different ethnic, racial, cultural, gender, and ability groups and families. Establish a community outreach program; disciplinary guidelines; a staffing plan in compliance with Section Q Exhibit 10, Operational Standard (“Required Staffing”); a policy for substitute staffing; procedures for cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting toys and other items; and procedures for questions or concerns regarding Center operations. Establish an advisory committee comprised of, but not limited to representation from the following list of stakeholders: o Provider Agency o Court o Court Security o Lawyer or Attorney for the child o Department of Social Services o Department of Health or health care professional o Department of Mental Health or mental health professional o Head Start of Child Care Resource & Referral o Parent Ensure that snacks are prepared and stored in a safe and clean manner and that they are made available to all children utilizing the Center. Connect children and families to available local, state, and federal service programs and entitlements. Submit attendance, service connections, and other reports as required by SCCP and transmit such data to SCCP.
