Part 3. REGULATIONS GOVERNING RESIDENTIAL SHELTER CARE FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN, version 6 (§ 7.8.3.1 to 7.8.3.127)

A. All habitable rooms in a facility must have a ceiling height of not less than seven feet, six inches. B. Kitchens, halls, bathrooms and toilet compartments must have a ceiling height of not less than seven feet. C. All habitable rooms other than a kitchen must not be less than…

A. Children's sleeping rooms and activity rooms must have a window area of at least one-tenth the floor area with the minimum allowed total being 10 square feet. B. Sleeping rooms must provide at least one window for egress or rescue with a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square…

A. Each child's room must be an outside room. B. There must be no through traffic through children's rooms. C. Single rooms must have at least 80 square feet of floor area. Closet and locker areas are not counted as part of the floor area. D. Not more than four children over the …

A. Floor material must be readily cleanable and wear resistant. B. In all areas subject to wet cleaning, floor materials must not be physically degradable by liquid germicidal or cleaning solution. C. Floors subject to traffic while wet must have a slip resistant surface. D. Wall…

Accessibility to the disabled must be provided in all new facilities and includes, at a minimum, the following: A. Main entry into the facility must be level or incorporate a ramp to allow for wheelchair access. B. Building layout must allow for access to main living area and din…

These regulations supplement the following regulations, laws, codes and any future amendments to such regulations or superseding regulations. A. New Mexico Department of Health Regulation 7 NMAC 4.3, Control of Disease and Conditions of Public Health Significance, effective Octob…

A. Discipline used by a facility licensed pursuant to these regulations will be such that it trains the child to develop self control and orderly conduct in relationship to peers and adults. B. Discipline shall be clear and understandable to the child, consistent, and explained t…

Any facility licensed pursuant to these regulations that uses a seclusion room in its program must comply with all of the following: A. The room must have no less than 80 square feet of floor area. B. The door must be of substantial construction either one and three-quarter inche…

A. All facilities licensed as Community Homes pursuant to these regulations are subject only to Sections 7.8.3.1 through 7.8.3.5; Sections 7.8.3.7 through 7.8.3.9; Sections 7.8.3.11 through 7.8.3.24; and Sections 7.8.3.82 through 7.8.3.127 of these regulations. B. Community Homes…

A. Establish minimum standards for licensing of Community Homes that provide services in order to promote the health and safety of children in need of such services. B. Provide for monitoring of facility compliance with these regulations through surveys to identify any factors th…

A. Community Home means a facility that operates twenty-four (24) hours a day providing full time care, supervision and support needed to not more than sixteen (16) resident children in a single residential building and which meets the definition incorporated in 9-8-13 NMSA 1978.…

All facilities licensed pursuant to these regulations must report immediately by phone and follow-up in writing to the Licensing Authority within 24 hours, any serious incident or unusual occurrence which has, or could threaten the health and/or safety of the clients or staff of …

A. Each facility licensed pursuant to these regulations maintains the following reports and records on file and makes them available for review upon request by the Licensing Authority: (1) A copy of the current Residential Shelter Care Regulations; (2) A copy of the latest fire i…

A. Criminal Record Checks pursuant to 32A-15-3 NMSA 1978 (1) The agency conducts appropriate, legally permissible and mandated State and federal criminal records inquiries into the background of agency personnel, including employees and volunteers, and prospective employees and v…

The following direct services staff/child ratios must be maintained: A. For children under the age of six (6) years at least one (1) direct service staff for every six (6) children or fraction thereof. B. For children over the age of six (6) years at least one (1) direct service …

A. Each facility licensed pursuant to these regulations must maintain a complete record on file for each staff member or volunteer. Staff records are made available for review upon request of the Licensing Authority. Staff records contain at a minimum the following: (1) A copy of…

The degree of compliance required throughout these regulations is designated by the use of the words "shall", "must", "may", or "should" "Shall" or "must" means mandatory. "May" means permissive. "Should" means recommended, strongly advised or desirable.

All facilities licensed pursuant to these regulations must have written policies and procedures for the following: A. Reporting of suspected child abuse, neglect or exploitation, pursuant to these regulations. B. Actions to be taken in case of accidents or emergencies involving a…

A. Facilities providing an outdoor play area will ensure the following: (1) All stationary outdoor play equipment for children should be positioned in a way which helps prevent accidents, permits freedom of action, and is securely fastened to the ground. (2) Outdoor play equipmen…

Each facility licensed pursuant to these regulations, which transports children as part of their program activities, meets the following requirements: A. Any vehicle used for transporting children must carry vehicle liability insurance. The amount of coverage may not to be less t…

A. Every child in the facility must be immunized according to the immunization schedule of the New Mexico Health Department, Public Health Division, immunization schedule. B. When an immunization record cannot be obtained for the child at the time of admission or within 30 days a…

A. The facility must have written procedures, approved by a physician, pharmacist or nurse regarding how staff should administer over-the-counter medications to children in care. B. Other than over-the-counter medications, a facility does not acquire, store or dispense medication…

A facility licensed pursuant to these regulations who cares for children under age two (2) must meet the following requirements: A. Toilet training equipment must be kept clean and in a sanitary condition. B. Staff members must wear non-porous single-use gloves and wash their han…

A. The following minimum requirements for beds must be met by a facility licensed pursuant to these regulations: (1) Children's beds are at least 30 inches wide, of sturdy construction and in good repair. (2) If bunk beds are used, the vertical distance between the mattresses is …

A. The facility provides laundry services to the children either on the premises or by use of a commercial laundry or linen service. The following minimum requirements for clean linen are: (1) The sheets and pillow case are changed at least one time per week and/or when there is …

A. Pets are not permitted to eat or sleep in the kitchen or food preparation areas. B. Pets are inoculated as required by state or local law and records of inoculation kept on file in the facility.

A. A current list of notifiable diseases must be posted in each facility. B. While in a facility, any child who becomes ill from a suspected notifiable disease, as defined by the New Mexico Department of Health is immediately referred to a physician or medical facility. C. Each f…