Dear Parent,
We are anticipating the start of camp and are excited that your child can join us for this amazing experience this summer.
As we start the season, the State of CT Youth Camp Licensing department, which all of our camps are licensed through, has set a regulation for all camps to adhere by this summer.
This regulation affects your child and their Plan of Care they receive while at camp, should your child have a Plan of Care in place already by your health care provider, or will require one at camp.
What is an Individual Plan of Care?
· It is a written plan of care for an individual child
· It documents specific needs or concerns for that child
· It includes specific approaches to be used to prevent, minimize or eliminate the concerns identified for this child
· It brings together the child’s parent(s) and the camp staff in developing these approaches so that all are using the same agreed upon approaches taking into consideration any guidance specified by the health care provider
What are the Regulatory Requirements for Individual Plans of Care?
Youth camps will make an appropriate plan for each child’s care which shall be developed with the child’s parent(s) at intake and updated as necessary to meet the child’s changing needs.
Information regarding disabilities or special health care needs such as allergies, special dietary needs, dental problems, hearing or visual impairments, chronic illness, developmental variations or history of contagious disease and an individual plan of care for a child with special health care needs or disabilities, shall be developed with the child’s parent(s) and health care provider and updated as necessary. Such plan shall include appropriate care of the child in the event of a medical or other emergency and shall be signed by the parent(s) and staff responsible for the care of the child.
How do I know if my child needs an Individual Plan of Care?
A written individual Plan of Care is required when a child has a special health care need or disability and it is necessary that special care be taken or provided while the child is at camp. The special health care need or disability which necessitates the individual plan of care typically documented by your health care practitioner on the child’s physical examination record or on a medication order may be supported by accompanying documentation.
If the health record of a child and/or accompanying documentation documents a special care need or disability (e.g. child has ADHA) but does not require that special care be taken or provided during the time the child is at camp, an individual Plan of Care is not required. For example, the mere fact that a child wears glasses or is allergic to medication, does not require an individual Plan of Care, as special care of the child during camp may not be necessary. Similarly, if a child has an order for a medication, but no other special care is required beyond the administration of the medication, a separate Plan of Care is not required.
Should you have any questions in regard to an individual Plan of Care, please consult with your Health Care Provider.
You can also email us at camp@gsofct.org with questions as well.