29. Sick Child Policy

POLICY INFORMATION

Subject:

Sick Child Policy.

Policy:

It is the policy of the Iroquois-Kankakee ROE Teen REACH Program that in order to maintain a healthy environment for all children served in the Teen REACH program, staff are not permitted to care for children who are ill.

Procedure:

1. If a youth has a temperature of 100 degrees or more and has one of the symptoms listed below, he or she should not be brought to the Teen REACH programs.
   1. Fine blisters on the face, scalp or body indicating the possibility of Chicken Pox.
   2. Two or more bowel movements that are atypical for the child indicating the possibility of infectious diarrhea.
   3. Swollen glands at the back of the neck indicating the possibility of German measles.
   4. A blotchy rash on the stomach and back or a fine red rash over the body indicating the possibility of measles or scarlet fever.
   5. Swelling over the jaw or in front of the ear indicating the possibility of infectious pink eye.
   6. Very sore throat as indicated by refusing food and drink suggesting the possibility of streptococcal infection. Heavy mouth odor may be present.
   7. Listless, lethargic behavior, lack of appetite, refusal to eat or drink, extreme irritability or behavior which is clearly unusual for particular child indicating the likelihood of an oncoming illness.
   8. Repeated vomiting (two or more times).
   9. Any significant change in the child's behavior.
   10. Any combination of the symptoms listed above.
   11. Body or head lice. The child will be isolated until parents/guardians can make arrangements to pick up the child. (see TR HL 02 VO1)
2. If youth's temperature is 100.5 degrees or more, but no other symptoms are indicated, parent/guardian will be asked to pick up their child.
   1. If the temperature and/or symptoms occur after the youth is left at the program, he or she will be isolated from the other youth in a quiet, supervised location until pick up by parent/guardian can be arranged.
   2. The youth will not be permitted to return to the Teen REACH program for at least 24 hours to allow the opportunity for any medication to begin working. The youth needs to remain at home until the UNMEDICATED temperature has returned to normal or the youth has seen a physician and has been cleared to return. A physician's signed "authorization to return" form may be required before the youth is permitted to return.
3. If a youth is sent home for sickness or illness, he/she must remain away from the Teen REACH program for a minimum of 24 hours in order to assure adequate recovery and/or response to any prescribed medication.