Virginia Regulatory Town Hall

Proposed Text

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Action:
Amend regulation to require each child day center that ...
Stage: Fast-Track
 
8VAC20-790-250 Caregiver training and development

A. Prior to approval as a subsidy vendor, the perspective vendor shall complete Virginia Preservice Training for Child Care Staff sponsored by the Department of Education, which shall include the following topics and training modules:

1. Building and physical premises safety;

2. Emergency preparedness and response planning;

3. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and safe sleep practices;

4. Administration of medication, consistent with standards of parental consent;

5. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma (AHT);

6. Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions;

7. Recognizing child abuse and neglect and reporting responsibilities;

8. Preventing the spread of disease, including immunization requirements;

9. Handling and storage of hazardous materials and appropriate disposal of diapers and other items contaminated by body fluids;

10. Transportation;

11. Foundations of child development;

12. Inclusion: Exploring the meaning and the mindset;

13. Oral health; and

14. Introduction to the Child Care Subsidy Program.

B. Within the first 90 days of employment or service all caregivers shall complete Virginia Preservice Training for Child Care Staff sponsored by the Department of Education, which shall include training on the following topics and training modules:

1. Building and physical premises safety;

2. Emergency preparedness and response planning;

3. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and safe sleep practices;

4. Administration of medication, consistent with standards of parental consent;

5. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma (AHT);

6. Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions;

7. Recognizing child abuse and neglect and reporting responsibilities;

8. Preventing the spread of disease, including immunization requirements;

9. Handling and storage of hazardous materials and appropriate disposal of diapers and other items contaminated by body fluids;

10. Transportation;

11. Foundations of child development;

12. Inclusion: Exploring the meaning and the mindset;

13. Oral health; and

14. Introduction to the Child Care Subsidy Program.

C. Orientation training for caregivers shall be completed on the following specific topics prior to the caregiver working alone with children and within seven days of the date of employment or the date of subsidy vendor approval:

1. Playground safety procedures;

2. Responsibilities for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect;

3. Confidentiality;

4. Supervision of children, including arrival and dismissal procedures;

5. Procedures for action in the case of lost or missing children, ill or injured children, medical and general emergencies;

6. Medication administration procedures, if applicable;

7. Emergency preparedness plan as required in 8VAC20-790-420 B;

8. Procedures for response to natural and man-made disasters;

9. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma including coping with crying babies and fussy or distraught children;

10. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and use of safe sleeping practices;

11. Caregivers who work with children who have food allergies shall receive training in preventing exposure to foods to which the child is allergic, preventing cross contamination and recognizing and responding to any allergic reactions; and

12. Transportation.

D. All caregivers shall have within 90 days of employment or 90 days from subsidy vendor approval:

1. Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) appropriate to the ages of children in care. The training shall include an in-person competency demonstration; and

2. Current certification in first aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. However, a caregiver who is a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse with a current license from the Board of Nursing shall not be required to obtain first aid certification.

During the 90-day period, there must always be at least one caregiver with current cardiopulmonary and first aid training present during operating hours of the family day home.

E. CPR and first aid training may count toward the annual training hours required in subsection H of this section if documentation for training as required in subdivision 5 of 8VAC20-790-200 is maintained.

F. Caregivers who work directly with children shall, in addition to preservice and orientation training required in subsections A through D of this section, annually attend at least 16 hours of training, to include the department's health and safety update course. This training shall be related to child safety, child development, health and safety in the family day home environment, and any required department sponsored training.

G. To safely perform medication administration practices, whenever a vendor agrees to administer prescribed medications, the (i) administration shall be performed by a caregiver who has satisfactorily completed a training program for this purpose developed by the Board of Nursing and taught by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine, or pharmacist or (ii) administration shall be performed by a caregiver who is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to administer medications.

The vendor may determine by policy what medications, if any, will be administered at its family day home, including prescription medications or over-the-counter or nonprescription medications.

H. Caregivers required to have the training required in subsection I of this section shall be retrained at three-year intervals. The administration of undesignated or stock epinephrine shall be performed by the vendor or a caregiver who (i) meets the requirements of 8VAC20-790-250 G, (ii) has satisfactorily completed a training course developed or approved by the Department of Education in consultation with the Department of Health, or (iii) completed a course taught by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine, or pharmacist that includes the following:

1. Recognizing signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.

2. Emergency procedures for responding to anaphylaxis; and

3. Instructions and procedures for administering epinephrine.

I. The vendor and caregivers required to have the training required in subsections G and H of this section shall be retrained at three-year intervals.

J. The vendor, or at least one other caregiver, shall receive training in the administration of epinephrine pursuant to subsections H and I of this section.

8VAC20-790-350 Parental involvement and notifications

A. The caregiver shall notify the parent immediately if a child is lost, requires emergency medical treatment, sustains a serious injury, or dies.

B. The caregiver shall notify the parent by the end of the day of any known minor injuries.

C. The caregiver shall maintain a written record of children's serious and minor injuries in which entries are made the day of occurrence. The record shall include the following:

1. Date and time of injury;

2. Name of injured child;

3. Type and circumstance of the injury;

4. Caregiver present and treatment;

5. Date and time when parents were notified; and

6. Caregiver and parent signatures.

D. Parents shall be notified immediately of any confirmed or suspected allergic reactions and the ingestion of any food identified in the written care plan required in 8VAC20-790-190 B 12 even if a reaction did not occur.

E. Parents shall be informed of the vendor's emergency preparedness plan.

F. Caregivers shall promptly inform parents when persistent behavioral problems are observed and identified.

G. Caregivers shall provide information weekly to parents about the child's health, development, behavior, adjustment, or needs.

H. Parents shall be informed of the reason for a child's termination from care.

I. A custodial parent shall be admitted to any child day program. Such right of admission shall apply only while the child is in the care of the vendor, pursuant to § 22.1-289.054 of the Code of Virginia.

J. When children at the family day home have been exposed to a communicable disease listed in the Department of Health's current communicable disease chart, the parents shall be notified within 24 hours or the next business day of the vendor's having been informed unless forbidden by law. Children's exposure to life threatening diseases shall be reported to parents immediately.

K. Parents shall be notified in writing of whether the provider stores an appropriate weight-based dosage of undesignated or stock epinephrine in the residence or home in which the family day home operates as required by § 22.1-289.059 of the Code of Virginia.

8VAC20-790-400 General requirements for medication administration

A. Prescription and nonprescription medications shall be given to a child:

1. According to the home's written medication policies, and

2. Only with written authorization from the parent.

B. The vendor may administer prescription medication that would normally be administered by a parent or guardian to a child provided:

1. The medication is administered by a caregiver who meets the requirements of 8VAC20-790-250 I and J G and H;

2. The caregiver administers only those drugs that were dispensed from a pharmacy and maintained in the original, labeled container; and

3. The caregiver administers drugs only to the child identified on the prescription label in accordance with the prescriber's instructions pertaining to dosage, frequency, and manner of administration.

C. The vendor may administer nonprescription medication provided the medication is:

1. Administered by a caregiver 18 years of age or older;

2. Labeled with the child's name;

3. In the original container with the manufacturer's direction label attached; and

4. Given only at the dose, duration, and method of administration specified on the manufacturer's label for the age or weight of the child needing the medication.

D. Nonprescription medication shall not be used beyond the expiration date of the product.

E. Medications for children in care shall be stored separately from medications for household members and caregivers.

F. When needed, medication shall be refrigerated.

G. When medication is stored in a refrigerator used for food, the medications shall be stored together in a container or in a clearly defined area away from food.

H. Medication, except for those prescriptions designated otherwise by written physician's order, including refrigerated medication and medications for caregivers and household members, shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. If a key is used, the key shall be inaccessible to the children.

I. The vendor shall keep a record of prescription and nonprescription medication given children, which shall include the following:

1. Name of the child to whom medication was administered;

2. Amount and type of medication administered to the child;

3. The day and time the medication was administered to the child;

4. Name of the caregiver administering the medication;

5. Any adverse reactions; and

6. Any medication error.

8VAC20-790-520 Operational responsibilities

A. The vendor shall ensure compliance with the standards in this part, the terms of the vendor agreement, and all relevant federal, state, or local laws and regulations.

B. Pursuant to § 22.1-289.040 of the Code of Virginia, the vendor shall ensure that the applicant and any staff who is or will be involved in the day-to-day operations of the center or is or will be alone with, in control of, or supervising one or more of the children (i) has not been convicted of any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02 of the Code of Virginia and (ii) is not the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth.

C. The vendor shall ensure that the center does not exceed the capacity of children cared for as allowed by law or regulation.

D. When at least one child receives care for compensation, all children who are in care and supervision count in the capacity of children being cared for. When children 13 years or older are enrolled in the program and receive supervision in the program, they shall be counted in the number of children receiving care, and the vendor shall comply with the standards in this part for these children.

E. The vendor shall inform all staff who work with children of children's allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions.

F. The vendor shall maintain, in a way that is accessible to all staff who work with children, a current written list of all children's allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions. This list shall be dated and kept confidential in each room or area where children are present.

G. Religious exempt child day centers that are exempt from licensure in accordance with § 22.1-289.031 of the Code of Virginia shall be in compliance with all requirements of § 22.1-289.031.

H. The vendor shall implement policies for the possession and administration of undesignated or stock epinephrine pursuant to § 22.1-289.059 of the Code of Virginia that ensure:

1. Undesignated or stock epinephrine is only administered by a nurse at the center, an employee of a local health department who is authorized by a prescriber and trained in the administration of epinephrine, or staff at the center authorized by a prescriber and trained in the administration of epinephrine pursuant to 8VAC20-790-600 J to a child believed to be having an anaphylactic reaction;

2. At least one nurse at the center or an employee of a local health department who is authorized by a prescriber and trained in the administration of epinephrine, or staff at the center authorized by a prescriber and trained in the administration of epinephrine pursuant to 8VAC20-790-600 J has the means to access at all times during regular facility hours appropriate weight-based dosages of undesignated or stock epinephrine based on the children in care at the center; and

3. Undesignated or stock epinephrine is stored in a locked or inaccessible container or area in the center.

8VAC20-790-600 Staff training and development

A. Prior to approval as a subsidy vendor, the vendor or designee shall complete the Virginia Preservice Training for Child Care Staff, which shall include training on the following topics and training modules:

1. Building and physical premises safety;

2. Emergency preparedness and response planning;

3. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and safe sleep practices;

4. Administration of medication, consistent with standards of parental consent;

5. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma (AHT);

6. Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions;

7. Recognizing child abuse and neglect and reporting responsibilities;

8. Preventing the spread of disease, including immunization requirements;

9. Handling and storage of hazardous materials and appropriate disposal of diapers and other items contaminated by body fluids;

10. Transportation;

11. Foundations of child development;

12. Inclusion: Exploring the meaning and the mindset;

13. Oral health; and

14. Introduction to the Child Care Subsidy Program.

B. Within the first 90 days of employment or subsidy vendor approval all staff who work directly with children shall complete Virginia Preservice Training for Child Care Staff, which shall include training on the following topics and training modules:

1. Building and physical premises safety;

2. Emergency preparedness and response planning;

3. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and safe sleep practices;

4. Administration of medication, consistent with standards of parental consent;

5. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma (AHT);

6. Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions;

7. Recognizing child abuse and neglect and reporting responsibilities;

8. Preventing the spread of disease, including immunization requirements;

9. Handling and storage of hazardous materials and appropriate disposal of diapers and other items contaminated by body fluids;

10. Transportation;

11. Foundations of child development;

12. Inclusion: Exploring the meaning and mindset;

13. Oral health; and

14. Introduction to the Child Care Subsidy Program.

C. Orientation training for staff shall be completed on the following facility specific topics prior to the staff member working alone with children and within seven days of the date of employment or the date of subsidy vendor approval:

1. Playground safety procedures;

2. Responsibilities for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect;

3. Confidentiality;

4. Supervision of children, including arrival and dismissal procedures;

5. Procedures for action in the case of lost or missing children, ill or injured children, and medical and general emergencies;

6. Medication administration procedures, if applicable;

7. Emergency preparedness plan as required in 8VAC20-790-790 B;

8. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma including coping with crying babies and fussy or distraught children;

9. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and use of safe sleeping practices;

10. Staff who work with children that have food allergies shall receive training in preventing exposure to foods to which the child is allergic, preventing cross contamination, and recognizing and responding to any allergic reactions; and

11. Transportation.

D. All staff who work directly with children shall have within 90 days of the date of employment or 90 days from subsidy vendor approval:

1. Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) appropriate to the ages of children in care. The training shall include an in-person competency demonstration; and

2. Current certification in first aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. However, staff who is a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse with a current license from the Board of Nursing shall not be required to obtain first aid certification.

During the 90-day period, there must always be at least one staff with current CPR and first aid training present during operating hours of the center.

E. CPR and First Aid training may count toward the annual training hours required in subsection H of this section if documentation for training as required in subdivision 5 of 8VAC20-790-550 is maintained.

F. Staff who work directly with children shall, in addition to preservice and orientation training required in subsections A through D of this section, annually attend at least 16 hours of training and staff development activities, to include the department's health and safety update course. Training shall be related to child safety, child development, the function of the center, and any required department sponsored training.

G. To safely perform medication administration practices, whenever a vendor agrees to administer prescribed medications, the (i) administration shall be performed by a staff member who has satisfactorily completed a training program for this purpose developed by the Board of Nursing and taught by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine, or pharmacist; or (ii) administration shall be performed by a staff member who is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to administer medications.

The administration of medicines by a vendor may be limited by policy to:

1. Prescription medications;

2. Over-the-counter or nonprescription medications; or

3. No medications.

H. Staff required to have the training specified in subsection subsections G, I and J of this section shall be retrained at three-year intervals.

I. There shall be at least one staff on duty who has obtained within the last three years instruction in performing a daily health observation of children. Daily health observation training shall include:

1. Components of daily health check for children;

2. Inclusion and exclusion of a child when the child is exhibiting symptoms that indicate possible illness;

3. Description of how diseases are spread and procedures and methods for reducing the spread of disease;

4. Information concerning the Virginia Department of Health Notification of Reportable Diseases pursuant to 12VAC5-90-80 and 12VAC5-90-90, also available from the local health department and the website of the Virginia Department of Health; and

5. Staff occupational health and safety practices in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration's bloodborne pathogens regulation (29 CFR 1910.1030).

J. The administration of undesignated or stock epinephrine shall be performed by (i) a nurse at the center or employee of a local health department authorized by a prescriber and trained in the administration of epinephrine, (ii) staff at the center who is authorized by a prescriber and meets the requirements of 8VAC20-790-600 G, (iii) staff who has satisfactorily completed a training course developed or approved by the Department of Education in consultation with the Department of Health, or (iv) staff who has satisfactorily completed a course taught by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine, or pharmacist that includes the following:

1. Recognizing signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.

2. Emergency procedures for responding to anaphylaxis; and

3. Instructions and procedures for administering epinephrine.

8VAC20-790-770 Medication

A. The vendor may administer prescription medication to a child with written permission of the parent, provided:

1. The medication is administered by a staff who meets the requirements of 8VAC20-790-600 I and J G and H;

2. The staff administers only those drugs that were dispensed from a pharmacy and maintained in the original, labeled container; and

3. The staff administers drugs only to the child identified on the prescription label in accordance with the prescriber's instructions pertaining to dosage, frequency, and manner of administration.

B. The vendor may administer over-the-counter or nonprescription medication to a child with written permission from the parent, provided the medication is:

1. Administered by a staff 18 years of age or older;

2. Labeled with the child's name;

3. In the original container with the manufacturer's direction label attached; and

4. Given only at the dose, duration, and method of administration specified on the manufacturer's label for the age or weight of the child needing the medication.

C. When needed, medication shall be refrigerated.

D. Medication, except for those prescriptions designated otherwise by written physician's order, including refrigerated medication and staff's personal medication, shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.

E. The vendor shall keep a record of prescription and nonprescription medication given to children, which shall include the following:

1. Name of the child to whom medication was administered;

2. Amount and name of medication administered to the child;

3. The day and time the medication was administered to the child;

4. Name of staff administering the medication;

5. Any adverse reaction; and

6. Any medication error.