Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-9-2-.12 - Disaster Preparedness

The Agency shall prepare for potential emergency situations that may affect the care of children by the development of an effective disaster preparedness plan that identifies emergency situations and outlines an appropriate course of action. The plan must be reviewed and revised annually, as appropriate, including any related written agreements.

(a) The disaster preparedness plan shall include at a minimum plans for the following emergency situations:

1. Local and widespread weather emergencies or natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, ice or snow storms, or floods;

2. Manmade disasters such as acts of terrorism and hazardous materials spills;

3. Unanticipated interruption of service of utilities, including water, gas, or electricity, involving any placement homes within a local or widespread area;

4. Loss of heat or air conditioning in the placement home;

5. Fire, explosion, or other physical damage in the placement home; and

6. Pandemics, identified infectious disease outbreaks and illnesses, or other situations where the community's need for services may exceed the availability of foster and prospective adoptive homes and services regularly offered by the Agency.

7. The Agency's disaster preparedness plan shall also include the following additional items in efforts to limit and contain health hazards to children, the director, employees, and the general public due to pandemic or infectious disease outbreaks:

(i) Contact information for sources of public health information and guidance (e.g., Centers for Disease Control (CDC), state/local public health authorities);

(ii) Name and contact information of Agency director or employee designated to provide updates to the Department, upon request, regarding the status of the outbreak or illness;

(iii) Process in place for providing notice of the outbreak or illness and any other necessary updates to parents/guardians;

(iv) Plan for immediate isolation of affected children and household members from unexposed children and household members;

(v) Plan for minimizing the risk of exposure to unexposed children or household members; and

(vi) Plan for addressing business continuity and programmatic issues relevant to pandemic or infectious disease outbreaks.

(b) There shall be plans to ensure sufficient staffing and supplies to provide room, board and watchful oversight during the emergency situation.

(c) There shall be plans for the emergency transport or relocation of all children in placement homes, should it be necessary, in vehicles appropriate to the children's needs. Additionally, there shall be written agreements with any agencies which have agreed to receive the agencies' children in these situations.

(d) The Agency shall document participation of each foster and prospective adoptive home's quarterly fire drills.

(e) The plan shall include a requirement for the foster and prospective adoptive home to have a written emergency evacuation plan and a list of emergency telephone numbers. The emergency evacuation plan and emergency telephone numbers shall be posted in a prominent place in the home. The home shall be required to notify the Child-Placing Agency, who will in turn notify the Department's Residential Child Care Licensing Unit of the emergency situation as required by these rules and notify the lawful custodians of the children's whereabouts and condition.

(f) The Agency's disaster preparedness plan shall be made available to the Department for inspection upon request.

(g) The Department may suspend any requirements of these rules and the enforcement of any rules where the Governor of the State of Georgia has declared a public health emergency.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-9-2-.12

O.C.G.A. § 49-5-12.

Original Rule entitled "Denial or Revocation of a License" adopted. F. Mar. 16, 2000; eff. Apr. 5, 2000. Repealed: New Rule entitled "Disaster Preparedness" adopted. F. June 5, 2007; eff. June 25, 2007. Amended: F. Feb. 28, 2024; eff. Mar. 19, 2024.