Release of Children Policy:
A. Each child may be released only the child's custodial parent(s) or person(s) authorized by the custodial parent(s), to take the child from the center and to assume responsibility for the child in an emergency if the custodial parent(s), cannot be reached.
The provision that a child shall not be visited by or released to a non-custodial parent unless the custodial parent specifically authorized the ccenter to allow such visits or release in writing. This written authorization, including name, address, phone numbers and written consent from the custodial parent is kept with the child's records.
If a non-custodial parent has been denied access to a child by a court order, the center shall secure documentation to that effect and maintain a copy with the child's records.
B. Written procedures to be followed by staff member(s) if those authorized by the parent(s), as specified in (A) above, fails to pick-up a child at the center's daily closing time. The proccdure shall require:
1. The child be supervised at all times.
2. Staff members attempt to contact those authorized by the parent(s) and
3. An hour or more after closing time, and rovided that other arrangements for releasing the child to his/ her parent(s) or authorized person(s) have failed and the staff member(s) cannot continue to supervise the child at the center, the staff member shall call DYFS's 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-792-8610 to seek assistance in caring for the child until the parent(s) or person(s) authorized by the child's parent(s) is able to pick-up the child.
C. Written procedures to be followed by a staff member(s) if the parent(s) or person(s) authorized by the parent(s), appear to be physically and/or emotionally impaired to the extent that, in the judgement of the director and/or staff member, the child would be placed at risk of harm if released to such an individual. The procedures shall require that:
1. The child may NOT be released to such an impaired individual;
2. Staff member(s) attempt to contact the child's other parent or an
alternate person(s) autohrized by the parent(s), and
3. If the center is unable to make alternative arrangements, as noted
in (A) above, a staff member shall call DYFS 24 hour hotline to seek assistance in caring for the child.
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