Privacy Rights Policies and Procedures COMAR 13A.09.10.12B.(2)

It is The Shafer Center’s policy that all records pertaining to a child are available to the child’s parent(s)/legal guardian upon a verbal and or written request made to the Education Director.  A written request is required from a child’s parent(s)/legal guardian when copies of the child’s records are requested.

The Shafer Center and its staff will not disclose personally identifiable information from a child’s record without prior written consent of the child’s parent(s)/legal guardian unless otherwise allowed by law.

Written requests for records will be stored in the child’s file. All disclosures of personally identifiable information from the child’s records will be documented in the child’s record.

Each and every person who accesses a child’s record must fill out the form at the beginning of the record that includes the reviewer’s full name, the date of the review, the purpose of the review, and the signature of the reviewer.

This policy does not abrogate the privacy rights of the child or the parent(s)/legal guardian of the child under applicable federal and state law.

These policies and procedures will be provided in writing to each child’s parent(s)/legal guardian upon the child’s acceptance into The Shafer Center.  

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Shafer Center for Early Intervention under no circumstances discriminates on the grounds of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or against qualified persons with disabilities. Admission to the program does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or against persons with disabilities.

Child Records

Records are maintained for each child beginning with application to The Shafer Center. All information in a child’s file will be considered confidential and to be used only by The Shafer Center personnel. Parents may have access to their child’s records upon written request to the Program Director and with an appointment to meet with the Program Director. The Shafer Center maintains the documents regarding our own testing, and should parents request those reports a fee may be assessed. The following records may be included, but not limited to:

    1. Personal and family data
    2. Assessment data
    3. Medical records
    4. Progress reports
    5. Conference notes
    6. Individualized Program Goals

Health and Safety

A. Fire Drills

In accordance with Maryland State Law, fire drills are held monthly at different times of the day. During the first weeks of school all children are instructed in proper fire drill procedures and a scheduled fire drill is held. Unannounced fire drills are held throughout the year from time to time.

B. Child Abuse and Reporting Law

According to Section 5-704 of the Family Law volume of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland, any teacher or other professional employee of The Shafer Center who has reason to believe that a child has been subject to abuse or neglect must immediately inform the Program Director and report to the appropriate authority. In complying with the mandate to report, the person reporting is given immunity from criminal or civil penalties or liability when that person, in good faith, makes such a report. Such reports are confidential.

C.  Health Services

The Shafer Center must have complete and accurate health and emergency information for each child. All children must have completed and returned the following forms:

    1. Emergency Form
    2. MSDE Health Inventory
    3. MSDE Health Inventory – Addendum
    4. OTC Permission Form
    5. Sunscreen Permission Form
    6. Parents’ Guide to Regulated Childcare
    7. All About Me Form

All students must have current family data of parents/guardians on file at The Shafer Center. Other relatives or friends must be listed for the school to contact if parents are unavailable in an emergency.  If parents are traveling out of town and the student is left in the care of someone other than the listed emergency contact person, please notify The Shafer Center in writing.

All students must provide an Emergency Medical Release form signed by both parents/guardians. This form is valid for the current academic year only.

All students must provide a current Medical Record form and a Maryland Immunization certificate.