Children's Center

Opportunities for Otsego, Inc.

Confidential Policy | Guidelines for Use | Capacity: Five Children

Confidential Policy

All information about the child and family is considered confidential.

Access is limited to staff members who work directly with the child or the family.

The confidentiality of information about each child and family is the responsibility of each staff member and volunteer.

Staff team members should share mutually significant information about the child or family which he/she feels will have impact on the child or family's participation in the Children's Center.

The only access to intake forms is through the caregiver's written request or court order.

Informal sharing of information by staff outside the center is grounds for dismissal.

This policy applies to each Children's Center staff member both while associated with this agency and also after leaving the agency for whatever reason.

Guidelines for Use

The Children's Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is located on the second floor of the County Office Building. There is no charge for use of the center.

The Children's Center is open to the children whose caregivers are there for Family Court business or have appointments with the Department of Social Services. The service is available only while the caregiver is in court or in other activities involving their appearance in Family Court or is directly involved in an appointment for services.

No child(ren) can use the Children's Center for more than three hours at a time.

The caregiver must sign the child(ren) in and complete the required forms before leaving the child(ren) at the center.

The child(ren) will only be released to the caregiver or the court appointed designee.

If the Children's Center is at capacity, the caregiver can place the child(ren)'s name on the waiting list. The caregiver must also state where they can be found should an opening occur.

Capacity: Five Children

In case of an emergency evacuation, parents or caregivers should go to the flagpole in front of the County Office Building instead of returning to the center.

The caregiver must give the Children's Center staff their location at the time of registration. Any changes in location must be reported to the staff.