We, at the Children's Center of Hamden are committed to providing a safe environment for our employees and for the youth and families in our care. This is accomplished by staff training and the development and implementation of policies.

To ensure that policies are followed:

• Our Safety Committee meets monthly. Each department on campus and the employee union are represented at this meeting. Members report safety concerns and monitor the progress of corrective action plans. The minutes of these meetings are distributed via agency e-mail and are posted in each department by representatives.
• The buildings and grounds are checked weekly by members of the management team and by the Director of Maintenance.
• The training requirements for employees are continuously monitored so that staff are aware of when they need to register for a training session.
• Job descriptions identify the responsibilities each employee has with regards to maintaining safety. Employee competence is assessed annually.
• All new employees are oriented to the agency Safety Program.
• Monthly assessments are completed in each department that focus on a specific program within the agency’s safety plan.

How to report a Safety Concern

• There are locked bo x es located near the switchboard in the Wakeman Hall building and by the front door in the administration building. Anyone can report a safety concern (anonymously) into these bo x es.
• Visitors are encouraged to report concerns to any staff member with whom they feel comfortable or a Program Director or agency Administrator.
• Employees must report safety concerns to their supervisors. When broken glass or other dangerous situations e x its the maintenance department should be phoned immediately.

Concerns regarding client care and safety that have been reported and are not being addressed by The Children's Center of Hamden should be reported to the Chief Operating Officer, 248-2116, ext. 202.

Visitors

Visitors are required to sign-in and obtain a Visitor pass. The passes are issued in the Whitney Hall School, Kids Cottage, Admin Bldg and Wakeman Switchboard. Visitors are asked to keep employees informed of where they will be on campus so they can be located. Visitors are reminded to sign out when leaving the Agency.

Parking

All employees and visitors must park in defined parking spaces, not in fire lanes or in spaces reserved for agency vehicles.

Crisis Plans

The Agency helps each youth and his/her family to develop a crisis plan. Families should always know where this written plan is so that it can be referenced. We help to revise the plan when necessary and are always able to make copies for youth and their adult caretakers.

Emergency Preparedness

The Safety Committee files a plan for all employees in the main manual. In cases of an actual emergency or drill employees are encouraged to remove the plan from the manual so they can easily reference the instructions. Drills are conducted twice a year to assess if the instructions are written clearly. Guardians of all youth effected are contacted should an actual emergency exist.

Vehicle Safety

Before transporting youth for the 1st time employees are required to watch a training video and submit proof of a valid driver’s license. Employees are required to follow all laws that regulate driving in the state of CT and follow procedures outlined in policy manuals regarding vehicle use. Seat belts must be worn by all passengers and driver. Eating and drinking are not allowed in vehicles as this may cause a distraction to the driver. Drivers are required to bring an Agency cell phone with them when traveling off grounds. Supervisory staff are informed of all cell phone numbers to ensure communication. Cell phones must not be used while driving.

Agency Vehicles:

• Agency Vehicles are equipped with tracking devices so the location and speed of each vehicle can be identified at any time.
• The vehicles are inspected by maintenance, at least monthly and by programs weekly.

Personal Vehicle:

Employees must obtain permission from their supervisor and file a copy of automobile insurance with personnel before transporting clients in their personal vehicles.

Keys

Employees are provided with the keys necessary to do their jobs and are required to always keep keys in their possession. A visitor who needs access to a locked area may ask an employee to unlock the room for him/her as employees are prohibited from loaning their keys. If you find a key(s), please bring it to the switchboard.
Employees are reminded that wearing keys around the neck is not advisable and that all rooms and offices should be locked when not in use.

Zero Tolerance Policy

The Children's Center of Hamden does not allow violence or threatening remarks. All are encouraged to report concerns about such things, heard or seen, to supervisory staff. Weapons of any kind are not allowed on campus.

Hazardous Materials

Any object that can cause harm may be considered hazardous. Employees and adult visitors are encouraged to remain aware of the population we serve and report concerns when it is believed our environment may not be safe. (eg . Scissors left on a desk, tools found on the lawn, etc.)

• Containers for sharp objects are provided by the Nursing Department.
• Bright yellow notebooks in each building contain MSD sheets for all chemicals purchased by the agency. These sheets outline first aid instructions while the Poison Control phone number is written on the book's 1st page.
• Employees may only use chemicals/cleaning agents provided by our agency to ensure there is a MSD sheet on file for each cleaning agent.
• Eyewash stations are located in the: maintenance shop, dining room and clinic.
• The Safety Committee organizes tours of the campus twice a year and appreciates employees who volunteer to participate and help identify safety concerns and hazards.
• The Maintenance department ensures the disposal of all garbage and waste is done in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Fire Safety

All youth are oriented to fire exits and evacuation routes in their program and school locations. The evacuation routes are posted in all buildings at eye level. Employees should remain familiar with the routes for assigned work areas.

• Fire Extinguishers: are inspected yearly to ensure that they will function properly. Please do not move extinguishers as they must be kept in their assigned locations. Any employee, at anytime, who wants a refresher class in how to use a fire extinguisher, may schedule a training session by calling ext 291.
• Fire Drills: when the alarm is heard immediately identify which adult should exit the building last: evacuate the building and do a continuous headcount.
• In case of an actual fire: RACE (rescue, alarm, confine, extinguish). Guardians of all youth directly affected will be contacted should there be an actual fire.
• When the fire department is on our Agency property staff and clients are required to follow the instructions of the fire department.