Page 175

(9) Staff to Child Ratio. (a) Wilderness therapeutic camps are expected to maintain staffing levels that provide children with quality services and adequate supervision. Different camps may have different staffing needs based on the population of children served. The needs of the children shall be the predominant factor in determining the numbers of staff members needed. (b) Wilderness therapeutic camps shall maintain a minimum staffing ratio of one (1) staff for every eight (8) children during the day and of one (1) staff for every ten (10) children during sleep hours. (c) A minimum of two (2) staff shall be available at all times. (d) The Agency may, at the Agency’s discretion, temporarily require awake staff during sleep hours if additional supervision is deemed necessary. (e) The Agency may, at the Agency’s discretion, temporarily require a higher staff/child ratio if an on site review indicates that a child is at risk of abuse and more supervision is needed to maintain appropriate control, discipline, adequate care and safety. (f) All wilderness therapeutic camps must have a responsive system to provide for back up staff in the event of an emergency or disruption. (10) Staff Medical Reports. (a) Staff shall have medical examinations at the time of employment (completed on the medical form provided by the Agency) to include written evidence from a physician or health resource attesting that the staff is in good health and free from communicable tuberculosis pursuant to state statute or the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control regulations or policy. (b) Any staff member who, upon examination or as a result of tests, has symptoms of a condition that could be detrimental to the children or staff, or which would prevent satisfactory performance of duties, shall not work or continue to work at the wilderness therapeutic camp until the healthcare provider indicates that the condition no longer presents a threat to children or staff. (c) Any staff member who is hospitalized must have a satisfactory medical report prior to resuming responsibilities at the wilderness therapeutic camp. (d) Annually, the wilderness therapeutic camp must obtain written evidence from a physician or health resource attesting that each staff member is free from communicable tuberculosis pursuant to state statute or the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control regula- tions or policy. (11) Time Off for Residential Staff. Each full time residential staff member shall have at least one weekend off each month (or equivalent) in addition to one day off each week, except when the staff member is on expeditionary trips. (12) Background Checks. (a) Persons working as child care staff and any staff or volunteers who have unsupervised contact with children in a wilderness therapeutic camp must submit to a fingerprint review to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a check of the State Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect, and Agency records, the equivalent child abuse and neglect registry system check for each state in which the person currently resides or has resided within the previous five years, the National Sex Offender Registry, and the State Sex Offender Registry. The wilderness therapeutic camp must initiate all background checks as outlined in this section prior to allowing a person referenced in this section to work or serve in any capacity. (b) No child may be placed in a wilderness therapeutic camp with or under the care and control of any person referenced in 12(a) if the person has a substantiated history of child abuse or neglect or has pled guilty, nolo contendere, or has been convicted of: (i) an ‘‘Offense Against the Person’’ as provided for in Chapter 3, Title 16; or (ii) an ‘‘Offense Against Morality or Decency’’ as provided for in Chapter 15, Title 16; or (iii) contributing to the delinquency of a minor as provided for in Section 16–17–490; or