Home Alone (608-18)
MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
SUBJECT: Policy Letter #05-99, Unattended Minor Children
1. REFERENCE. Army Regulation 608-18, Family Advocacy Program.
2. PURPOSE. This policy implements AR 608-18 and imposes requirements for supervision and safety of children at Fort Leonard Wood.
3. POLICY/PROCEDURES.
a. This policy applies to all civilian and military personnel at Fort Leonard Wood or assigned to Fort Leonard Wood. A violation of this policy subjects military personnel to disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Violation of this policy may also subject personnel to criminal prosecution, civil liability, or termination of housing privileges on the installation
b. Sponsors are responsible for the health, welfare, and safety of minor family members at all times. Sponsors are responsible for ensuring family members comply with the provisions of this policy. The sponsor's chain of command is responsible for the sponsor and family members assigned or attached to their command or agency.
c. In all cases, interpretation of this policy should be made in favor of the child’s safety.
d. No child will be left unattended under circumstances involving potential or actual risk to the child's health and safety.
e. Individuals should refer to the enclosed Age Matrix for minimum standards for use in making decision involving safety and proper supervision of children.
f. A "supervisor" is any person 13 years of age or older who is in a supervisory role and can provide adequately for a child’s welfare and safety in all circumstances deemed appropriate.
(1) Children one to three years of age require close supervision and will be under direct visual contact. The person supervising must be able to respond to any emergency or threatening situation. Periodic checks should be made on sleeping children. Children in this age group will not be left alone at any time.
(2) Children four to six years of age may play in an appropriately designated safe area but must have immediate access to adult supervision. NOTE: Immediate access is defined as within eyesight or hearing distance and ability to respond within one minute.
(3) Children seven to nine years of age can be allowed to explore their environment but must also be afforded protection and therefore must have access to adult supervision. NOTE: Access is defined as having ability to contact a verifiable, prearranged, responsible adult in case of emergency and the sponsor knowing the location of the child.
g. Children left alone in quarters:
(1) Children 10-11 years of age may be left alone for no more than 3 hours during the day or evening.
(2) Children 12-14 years of age may be left alone for no more than 6 hours during the day or evening.
(3) Children 15 years of age and older may be left alone overnight.
(4) All children alone in quarters, regardless of age, must have access to a parental designated adult who is available in the event of emergencies. All children must have the supervising adult’s work and home phone numbers and necessary emergency phone numbers, and the sponsor must be within the local area. NOTE: Local area is defined as an area or location that is no more than 1 hour away by car.
h. Special Provisions.
(1) Children who meet the criteria for the Exceptional Family Member Program, as defined by AR 608-75, require special supervision. These guidelines are to be modified in accordance with their special needs.
Children who are in the care of a certified Family Child Care (FCC) provider, who has entered into a contract with the children’s parents for such care, will be supervised by the FCC Provider in accordance with guidelines set forth in AR 608-10, AR608-18, and local procedures.
(3) Except for extreme emergency conditions involving health and safety, children under the age of ten years will not be left alone in quarters or alone in a motor vehicle.
4. PROPONENCY. The proponent for this policy is the Directorate of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (DMWR), 596-0212.
5. POINT OF CONTACT (POC). Call the Family Advocacy Program Manager at 596-0212.
Commanding General
DISTRIBUTION:
All Brigades, Battalions, Companies
Detachments, Tenant Units, Directorates,
and Personal Staff Offices
AGE MATRIX
1. Parents are responsible for the welfare and safety of children in the military community.
2. Each child is unique. Personality, environment, developmental progress, and maturity level are factors used to determine when children are ready to accomplish activities with little or no supervision. The following are minimum community standards, under no circumstances will these guidelines be reduced. Parents are still required to assess their child and, if necessary, raise the age limits.
|
Age of Child |
Left Without Sitter in Quarters |
Left Alone Overnight |
Play Outside Unattended |
Left in Car Unattended |
Child Sit Siblings |
Child Sit Others |
|
Newborn thru age 3yrs |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
4 - 6 years |
NO |
NO |
YES: with immediate access (visual sight or hearing distance) to adult supervision |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
7 - 9 years |
NO |
NO |
YES: with access to emergency supervision and sponsor knows location of child |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
10 - 11 years |
YES: with ready access to adult supervision; Limit - 3hrs |
NO |
YES: with access to adult supervision |
YES: with keys removed and handbrake applied |
NO |
NO |
|
12 - 14 years |
YES: with access to adult supervision; Limit - 6 hrs |
NO |
YES: with access to adult supervision |
YES |
YES: **see below |
YES: ** see below may not sit overnight |
|
15 - 18 years |
YES |
YES: with sponsor in local area and access to adult supervision |
YES: with access to adult supervision |
YES |
YES: **see below |
YES: **see below may sit overnight |
**Child Development Services Babysitting Training (POC: 596-0238)