The Texas Safe House Movement

Lastly, each caregiver must have a current certification in first-aid and be able to immediately respond to emergencies.508 Also, at all times during operation, at least one caregiver counted in the child/caregiver ratio must have current certification in CPR and be able to immediately respond to emergencies.509 First-aid and CPR training and re-certification must consist of a program that includes both written and hands-on skill-based instruction, practice (through using a CPR mannequin), and testing.510 The CPR training and recertification must include CPR for children and adults.511 4) Controlling Person The controlling person of an organization is a person or persons who are legally responsible for a safe house and its components. A controlling person of a child care operation is considered any owner of the safe house or governing body of the operation or the person who manages, administers, or directs the operation or its governing body.512 A controlling person could also be a person who either alone or in connection with others has the ability to influence or direct the management, expenditures, or policies of the operation.513 This could come from having a personal, familial, or other relationship with the governing body, manager, or another controlling person of the organization.514 Also, a person does not have to be present at the safe house or hold an official title at the operation in order to be considered a controlling person.515 An organization must inform the Licensing Division of DFPS who the controlling person or persons is by submitting a Controlling Person Form.516 This information must be submitted when applying for the initial permit and within two days after a person becomes a controlling person (if the person is appointed after the initial permit is submitted).517 Even if a person has submitted a Controlling Person Form, the Licensing Division may designate someone if a permit is revoked or the safe house is voluntarily closed.518 If a person is designated as a controlling person, he or she may not be issued a permit to operate a child care operation or be the controlling person at a child care operation for five years after the designation.519 508 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 748.981(a) (2012).

509 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 748.981(b) (2012).

510 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 748.987(a) (2012).

511 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 748.987(b) (2012).

512 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 745.901 (2012).

513 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 745.901 (2012).

514 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 745.901 (2012).

515 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 745.901 (2012).

516 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 745.903 (2012).

517 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 745.903 (2012).

518 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 745.905 (2012).

519 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 745.907 (2012).

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