Section 29-6272. INVOLVEMENT OF FAMILY AND OTHERS

 

6272.1The facility shall cooperate with the contracting entity and, where applicable, the CSSD to make reasonable efforts to develop a relationship with each resident's family, consistent with any court order, so that the facility is able to:

 

(a)Notify each resident's family of the resident's whereabouts, if appropriate;

 

(b)Obtain any necessary parental consent;

 

(c)Provide necessary crisis intervention services;

 

(d)Obtain information and documentation necessary to conduct an assessment of each resident;

 

(e)Assist each resident's family to adjust to the resident's placement and separation;

 

(f)Develop a visitation plan and encourage each resident's family's continued interaction with the resident in accordance with the resident's ISP;

 

(g)Inform each resident's family of the resident's progress; and

 

(h)Mobilize familial strengths and resources to help the family participate in planning for the resident's return home or to another community environment.

 

6272.2The facility shall develop and follow written rules for reasonable visitation, mail, and telephone contact between residents and the residents' family, friends, attorney, and guardian ad litem, which shall be consistent with any court order and which shall include:

 

(a)Regular visiting hours and additional visiting hours for visitors who are unable to visit during regular visiting hours;

 

(b)Reasonable conditions of privacy;

 

(c)A designated space, separate from the resident's bedrooms, for visitation purposes; and

 

(d)Procedures for restricting visitation, mail, or telephone contacts.

 

6272.3The facility may restrict visitation, mail, or telephone contacts with the resident's family, guardian, attorney, or guardian ad litem only for the following reasons:

 

(a)To comply with a court order; or

 

(b)To safeguard against a documented safety or security risk to residents or staff.

 

6272.4The facility may restrict visitation, mail or telephone contacts with the resident's friends only for the reasons detailed in § 6272.3 or as a method of behavior management, provided that the restriction is consistent with the resident's ISP.

 

6272.5The facility timely shall inform the resident and, to the extent practicable, those affected outside the facility, including but not limited to the resident's parent or guardian, attorney, and guardian ad litem, of the nature of the restriction, the reasons for the restriction, and the duration of the restriction.

 

6272.6The facility shall document in the resident's case record the restriction, the reasons for the restriction, and the duration of the restriction.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 48 DCR 8675, 8734 (September 21, 2001).