B3: B-Fact Sheet — original pdf

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Austin Parks and Recreation Department Centralized Programs Division FACT SHEET: Local Standards of Care Ordinance 1) The Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is exempt from Child Care Licensure by the State of Texas under Human Resources Code Chapter 42. Regulation of Certain Facilities, Homes, and Agencies that Provide Child-Care Services. Subchapter C. Regulation of Certain Families, Homes and Agencies. 2) The exemption is specific to an elementary-age (ages 5-13) recreation program operated by a municipality provided the governing body of municipality annually adopts standards of care by ordinance after a public hearing for such programs, that such standards are provided to the parents of each program participant, and that the ordinances shall include, at a minimum, staffing ratios, minimum staff qualifications, minimum facility, health, and safety standards, and mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing the adopted local standards; and further provided that parents be informed that the program is not licensed by the state and the program may not be advertised as a child-care facility. 3) Recreational Programs affected by this ordinance include but are not limited to After School Programs, Summer Day Camp Programs, Spring Break Camps, Holiday Break Camps, and Conference Day Camps. 4) PARD notifies parents that the programs listed above are not licensed by the state and are not child-care facilities by the following: a. Parks and Recreation Department Website (Parent Handbook) b. Parent Handbook – Hard Copy, Electronic 5) The ordinance is made available in print upon request and posted in the following locations: a. Recreational Facilities hosting youth programs b. Parks and Recreation Department website 6) Language listed in the Parent Handbook CHILDCARE LICENSING PARD Programs are exempt from childcare licensing by the State of Texas for children 5 to 13 years of age. The Department is regulated by the Austin City Council through the Local Standards of Care for Youth Recreation Programs Ordinance. If you would like to review a copy of this ordinance, please visit our website at www.austintexas.gov/recreation or contact our main office at (512) 974-6700.