SC changing rules on residential psychiatric care for kids

CHARLESTON, SC (AP) — South Carolina’s health agency is updating a regulation governing psychiatric institutions for children for the first time in more than two decades.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports (http://bit.ly/2cnQ01x) that the state Department of Health and Environmental Control will hold a meeting Tuesday in Columbia to address the changes for residential treatment facilities.

The changes include a requirement for care centers to complete a child’s initial assessment and treatment plan before entering, or within three days of their arrival. Care centers also must report “accidents and incidents” to the state and provide juvenile patients with an education that meets federal and state standards.

A federal report showed South Carolina was placing its youngest foster children in psychiatric institutions at a much higher rate than any other state.

___

Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)