10A NCAC 09 .0608         PREVENTION OF SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME AND ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA

(a)  Each child care center licensed to care for children up to five years of age shall develop and adopt policies to prevent shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma prior to licensure. The policy shall include the following:

(1)           How to recognize, respond to, and report the signs and symptoms of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma. Signs and symptoms include: irritability, difficulty staying awake, difficulty breathing, inability to lift the head, seizures, lack of appetite, vomiting, and bruises;

(2)           Strategies to assist staff members in coping with a crying, fussing, or distraught child;

(3)           Strategies to assist staff members in understanding how to care for infants;

(4)           Strategies to ensure staff members understand the brain development of children up to five years of age;

(5)           A list of prohibited behaviors that shall include, but not be limited to, shaking a child, tossing a child into the air or into a crib, chair, or car seat, and pushing a child into walls, doors, and furniture; and

(6)           Resources to assist staff members and families in preventing shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma.

(b)  Within 30 days of adopting the policy, the child care center shall review the policy with parents of currently enrolled children up to five years of age. A copy of the policy shall be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center shall obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. The acknowledgement shall contain the following and be maintained in the child's file for review by the Division:

(1)           The child's name;

(2)           The date the child first attended the center;

(3)           The date the operator's policy was given and explained to the parent;

(4)           The parent's name;

(5)           The parent's signature; and

(6)           The date the parent signed the acknowledgment.

(c)  If a child care center changes the policy at any time, the child care center shall give written notice of the change to the child's parent 14 days prior to the implementation of the new policy and the parent shall sign a statement that attests that a copy of the new policy was given to and discussed with him or her. The center shall obtain the parent's signature acknowledging the receipt of the new policy and this statement shall be maintained in the child's file for review by the Division.

(d)  Within 30 days of adopting the policy, the child care center shall review the policy with existing staff members who provide care for children up to five years of age. Each child care center shall review the policy with new staff members prior to the individual providing care to children. The acknowledgement of this review shall contain:

(1)           the individual's name;

(2)           the date the center's policy was given and explained to the individual;

(3)           the individual's signature; and

(4)           the date the individual signed the acknowledgment.

The child care center shall retain the acknowledgement in the staff member's file.

(e)  If a child care center changes the policy at any time, the child care center shall review the revised policy with staff members 14 days prior to the implementation of the new policy. The individual shall sign a statement that attests that a copy of the new policy was given to and discussed with him or her. This statement shall be kept in the staff member's file.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143B-168.3;

Temporary Adoption Eff. September 23, 2016;

Eff. October 1, 2017.