Title
A. Conduct a public hearing regarding the Parks and Recreation Department Youth Programs Standards of Care.
B. Consider an ordinance adopting Standards of Care associated with the City's recreation programs titled "2024 Youth Programs Standards of Care" and repealing Ordinance No. 5012.
Body
The Parks and Recreation Department operates youth recreation programs at the recreation centers after regular school hours and when school is not in session. These programs provide a constructive recreational experience and reduce the number of school-aged children left without adult supervision.
State law exempts municipal youth programs from many of the standards regulating day cares provided that the municipality completes certain required procedures. The municipality must develop a set of operating policies and regulations called the "Standards of Care" policy. A public hearing and formal adoption of the standards is required annually. In addition, staff must provide a copy of these Standards of Care to the parents of each participant in any City youth recreation program. The City may not advertise the program as a "child-care" facility or program and parents must be informed that the State of Texas does not license the City of Mesquite to provide "child-care" programs that qualify for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Child Care Tax Credit.
The Youth Programs Standards of Care were last adopted on March 20, 2023, by Ordinance No. 5012, following a public hearing. This year, the standards include the following language updates:
1. Participants must complete a registration form to participate.
2. The program cannot provide individual, one-on-one supervision.
3. Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
4. Children will be removed from the program if parents are late picking up children more than three times in one month.
5. Full payment must be received by the second day of the month.
6. Late fees may apply if registering after the d...
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