Section 7.50.530. Space.

	(a)  A facility must have indoor and outdoor space to accommodate the physical and developmental needs of the children served.  
	(b)  A residential care facility and a foster group home shall provide at least  
		(1) 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child, exclusive of hallways, bathrooms, storage areas, office space, furnace and laundry rooms, crib space, and any area that children are prevented from using; and  
		(2) 75 square feet of outdoor recreation space per child for the maximum number of children outside at any one time.  
	(c)  In meeting the space requirements of (b) of this section, if  
		(1) a residential child care facility is attached to or located in a residence, the facility shall designate space that is exclusive of family living areas; and  
		(2) outdoor recreation space is not available at a residential child care facility or a foster group home, parks or other outdoor locations that are easily accessible may be used if a plan for transportation to and from and for use of this alternative outdoor location is approved by the licensing representative.  
	(d)  A residential child care facility and a foster group home shall provide at least  
		(1) 70 square feet per child in a single resident bedroom;  
		(2) 50 square feet per child in a multi-resident bedroom;  
		(3) a bedroom ceiling height of at least 6.5 feet if bunk beds are used;  
		(4) one bedroom for every four children; and  
		(5) one full bathroom for every six children.  
	(e)  A facility shall ensure that there is space and a specific place for each child to keep the child's own clothing and personal possessions.  
	(f)  A residential child care facility must have storage and work space areas convenient to the area used for child care to meet the following needs:  
		(1) record storage and administration;  
		(2) food preparation and service, where applicable;  
		(3) storage of program materials and resources for staff and parents, where applicable;  
		(4) storage of repair and maintenance supplies;  
		(5) rest area and meeting space for staff; and  
		(6) in a residential child care facility,  
			(A) meeting space for clients, families, and therapists that affords privacy; and  
			(B) a communal area that may be used for social visits with friends or family when privacy is not required.  
	(g)  The provisions of (f) of this section do not require that rooms or areas be assigned exclusively to a single function. However, a residential child care facility shall provide sleeping and bathing areas for staff that are separate from the sleeping and bathing areas of children in care.  

Authorities

44.29.020;47.35.010

Notes

Authority

AS 44.29.020 AS 47.35.010

History

Eff. 1/1/96, Register 136; am 3/1/98, Register 145