Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-105.15 - Children's rights

(1) Policies in writing. All policies and procedures covered in this rule shall be in writing and provided to the child upon admission and made available to the child's parent or guardian upon request. If the child remains in care over four days, the policies and procedures shall be provided to the parent or guardian. The rationale and circumstances of any deviation from these policies shall be discussed with the child's parents or guardian and the referring worker, documented, and placed in the child's case record.

(2) Confidentiality. Information regarding children and their families shall be kept confidential and released only with proper written authorization.

(3) Communication.

a. Unless specifically regulated by the court, visitation shall be allowed with members of the child's immediate family.

b. Family visits shall be monitored only to the extent necessary to ensure the child's safety and facility security. Rationale for monitoring shall be documented in the child's record.

c. The child shall be permitted to Communicate privately with legal counsel and the referring worker

d. The child shall be allowed to conduct telephone conversations with family members. Telephone calls shall be monitored only to the extent necessary to ensure the child's well-being and facility security. Rationale for monitoring a child's conversation shall be documented in the child's record. Incoming calls may be screened by staff to verify the identity of the caller before approval is given.

e. The staff shall not open or read residents' mail. The child shall be allowed to send and receive mail. The facility may require the child to open incoming mail in the presence of a staff member when the mail is suspected to contain contraband articles, or to contain money that should be receipted and deposited.

f. When limitations on visitation or other communications are indicated, they shall be determined with the participation or knowledge of the child, family or guardian, and the referring worker All restrictions shall have specific bases which shall be made explicit to the child and family and documented in the child's case record.

(4) Privacy. Reasonable provisions shall be made for the privacy of residents.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-105.15