Section 2603.20 Administration

Section 703

Section 2603.20

Administration

a)         Introduction

Shelter care

procedures and programs should be based on a homelike environment.  A

non-secure setting is open in nature and designed to allow youth maximum

participation in the community and its resources.  It is intended to minimize

the psychological hardships on youth held out-of-home and not to restrict

freedom of movement.

b)         Minimum Standards

1)         Shelter Care Responsibility

A)        The Chief Judge of the circuit court or any judge of the

circuit designated by the Chief Judge, shall appoint the superintendent of the

shelter care home, as well as all other necessary employees [55 ILCS 75/3].

B)        The superintendent shall have responsibility and accountability

for shelter care management.

2)         Objectives

The purposes

of supervision, guidance, and treatment shall be clearly stated in writing and

each staff member shall be made fully aware of them.

3)         Staff Training

The

superintendent shall be responsible for providing staff orientation, in-service

training, and a regular and continuous staff development program.

A)        Staff training shall consist of a minimum of 40 scheduled hours

the first year of employment and 20 hours each year thereafter.

B)        All staff assigned to shelter care duties shall be made

familiar with these standards.

4)         Written Procedures

A written

manual of policies and regulations shall be published and furnished to each

employee.  Written emergency procedures in event of a fire, runaway, bomb

threat, riot or natural disaster shall be a part of the manual.

5)         Job Description

Comprehensive

duty descriptions for each shelter care position shall be in writing and

furnished to each employee performing the function.

6)         Records

The

superintendent shall ensure that all required records are maintained.

7)         Staff Library

Access to

professional literature dealing with shelter care and related fields shall be

provided

of the manual.

5)         Job Description

Comprehensive

duty descriptions for each shelter care position shall be in writing and

furnished to each employee performing the function.

6)         Records

The

superintendent shall ensure that all required records are maintained.

7)         Staff Library

Access to

professional literature dealing with shelter care and related fields shall be

provided.

8)         Capacity

A shelter care

facility shall have a capacity of at least five and no more than 20 youths.

Counties contemplating establishing a facility of more than 20 capacity must

submit a request for variance to the Director, Department of Juvenile Justice.