These minimum standards relate to programs, procedures, health care, nutrition and sanitation issues in locally operated juvenile facilities. While several regulations specifically cross-reference other related areas, it is recommended that you read all the standards and their accompanying guidelines, to put each section in context with the overall operation of a juvenile facility. Guidelines are intended to explain the regulations, identify issues and propose options to consider when developing policies and procedures for implementation. There are many ways to comply with regulations. The guidelines offer ideas from other professionals as to what facility managers and administrators might do, or at least consider, in implementing standards.
Guidelines are neither mandatory nor limiting, nor do they cover every possible contingency.
They are intended to assist administrators and others in understanding the regulations and applying them to their system. These options are available if you meet the intent of a particular standard in a unique or innovative manner, but may not be in compliance with the standard as it is written. Facility inspections for compliance with regulations are critical to assisting administrators in assessing and monitoring their system. In addition to biennial inspections by the BOC for overall compliance with program, procedures and physical plant regulations, there are additional inspections that provide needed information and assist in protecting against litigation. This inspection is the statutory responsibility of the local health officer and identifies areas of noncompliance with the regulations outlined in these guidelines.