EMERGENCY PROTOCOL

The emergency contact system is a service Kids Crossing provides to group homes for after-hour’s emergency care.  The emergency cellular phone and/or pager is to be used in the case of an emergency, which occurs outside of normal business hours or on weekends.  Emergencies are defined as those situations requiring immediate attention or assistance by their nature.  

It is critical that situations are not only handled correctly, and that the group home provider feels supported.

The following situations listed below require the utilization of the Kids Crossing after hour’s emergency cell phone service.  (719)-321-8659 in Colorado Springs and (720)-936-8381 in Denver.  In addition, these incidents require the completion of a Kids Crossing Incident Report.  Kids Crossing’s group home supervisor, when notified of the incident, will determine if a CDHS Incident Report also needs to be completed.  A copy of the incident report shall be placed into the child’s file and also given to the Kids Crossing staff member in order for them to distribute to the appropriate professionals.

Run-Away or Missing Child

The childcare provider should contact the police and file a run away report, which may include going to the police station.  The child’s caseworker should be notified.  The caseworker is responsible for notifying the biological parents/guardians, unless the childcare provider has been given the information and authority to do so.  Upon the child’s return, the childcare provider should call the police station to cancel the run report

Accident or Illness

The childcare provider should understand that the Department of Human Services responsible for the child must give the hospital permission to treat the child. For this reason, the after hours hotline number at the county department responsible for the placement of the child must be contacted. 

• The childcare provider does not have to wait for this approval before proceeding to the medical facility. 
• The childcare provider should not put their signature or address on paperwork.  Remember to use Kids Crossing’s address when filling paperwork out at the hospital or at a doctor’s office. 
• The child’s caseworker should be notified. The caseworker is responsible for notifying the biological parents/guardians, unless the childcare provider has been given the information and authority to do so.
• When in doubt, a childcare provider should seek medical attention for a child.  It is better to be more safe than sorry.

Arrested

If a child is arrested and released the childcare provider, then the only action necessary is to inform the caseworker the next day.  If the child is arrested and held in custody, then the after hours hotline number at the county department of social services should be utilized.

• The childcare provider is not allowed to give a law enforcement officer permission to interview a child.  Only the child’s GAL or biological parent can give this approval.
• The child’s caseworker should be notified.  The caseworker is responsible for notifying the biological parents/guardians, unless the childcare provider has been given the information and authority to do so.
• If the child is on probation the probation officer should either be paged or a message should be left to notify him/her of the situation.

Allegations of Physical or Sexual Abuse

If there is an allegation against a childcare provider, the provider shall immediately call the Kids Crossing and staff will help determine if the county department of human services needs to be contacted.

• The County Department where the group facility is located is where the report must be made.
• If the allegation received is against a parent or person not residing with the child, The childcare provider or agency staff member shall immediately call the county department responsible for the child’s placement and report the incident IF the parent has direct access to the child (i.e. through unsupervised visits or phone calls).  If the parent who the allegations were made about does NOT have access to the child, you may wait to call the hotline the next business day.
• If the allegation received is against another child in the home, please utilized Kids Crossing’s staff to help assess whether or not the hotline needs to be called immediately, or if the call can wait until the next business day.  In most cases, you can wait until the next day to call the pager. 
• Please assess for safety.  The childcare provider, with Kids Crossing’s staff’s assistance can often develop a safety plan to keep all children safe.  In this case, the plan needs to be documented and follow through must occur. 
• If the childcare provider with staff’s assistance cannot ensure safety even with a plan, Kids Crossing will contact the county for authority regarding the removal of the child or alternative respite plans. 
• A voice mail must be left for the child’s caseworker and therapist in any of the above situations.

Group Home parent has knowledge or evidence of crime committed by child (for example, possession of a weapon or possession of illegal drugs)

The childcare provider should call 911.  Notify Kids Crossing’s staff member regarding what action, if any, the police or sheriff takes. If the child is on probation the probation officer should either be paged or a message should be left to notify him/her of the situation.

Suicidal Gestures or Threats

If a child is threatening to hurt themselves or others, please contact the Crisis Center which completes Medicaid psychiatric evaluations.  911 may be utilized for assistance if the situation is potentially life threatening. A message needs to be left for the caseworker and the child’s therapist.

Fires

911 should be utilized at any sign of a fire danger in or around the home.  Proceed with exiting the home per posted evacuation plans.  Fire drills shall occur and be documented on a regular basis in order for all residents of the home to be familiar with the evacuation route.  For example, drills should occur at unexpected times throughout the day, morning, daytime, evening and overnight shifts. 

Child Fatality     

The county department of human services (where the group home is located and department responsible for the child’s placement) shall immediately be contacted and informed of the incident. The emergency staff member will then immediately inform the Executive Director of Kids Crossing and staff will utilize proper protocol.

D. A report about a death must include (submitted to Colorado DHS):

1. The child's name, birth date, address, and telephone number.

2. The names of the child's parent(s) or guardian(s) and their address and telephone number if different from that of the child.

3. Date of the fatality.

4. Brief description of the incident or illness leading to the death.

5. Names and addresses of witnesses or persons who were with the child at the time of death.

6. Name and address of police department or authority to whom the report was made.

E. Any change in the status of the facility that would affect care of children.

Child’s Behavior is Out of Control

If the child is posing an immediate threat to others, the childcare provider should call 911 immediately.  If the threat is not immediate, with the help of Kids Crossing’s staff member, the appropriate course of action will be determined. One course of action may be for the group home parent to contact other professionals for assistance. For example, a child’s therapist if available after hours.

Calls or visits from birth parents, other family members or unknown individuals

The childcare provider must determine if this is an individual who is allowed to have contact with the child.  Due to confidentiality, a childcare provider cannot confirm that a child is in placement at their residence unless authorization from a caseworker or guardian is granted.   

Contacting the Caseworker

Always leave a message (after hours) on the caseworker’s voicemail.

A copy of the pager report should be submitted to Kids Crossing, who will proceed to give to child’s caseworker the next day.