Marian Hope Handbook

Click here to view the Parent Handbook in its entirety.

Arrival & Departure Procedures

Our therapists will begin each class promptly at its scheduled time. Please arrive approximately 5 minutes prior to your scheduled class. Upon arrival, wait to be greeted by a staff member who will escort your child back to a therapy room.

Please arrive 15-20 minutes before your child’s class is scheduled to end in order to allow time for therapists to consult with you regarding your child and suggestions for home. Consultations should take place behind closed doors to protect clients’ privacy. Since there are typically only 15 minutes between classes, please call or email your therapist at another time with any questions or comments that may require more time than allowed for consultation.

Attendance Policy

The Marian Hope Center requires 24-hour notice if a child will not be attending a class.  A therapist in the class may be contacted by phone or email OR Theresa Sonderman may be contacted at 816-695-1171 or tsonderman@marianhope.org. Additionally, you can always leave a voicemail message at 816-478-7681.

If your child is absent from a class and 24 hour notification has NOT been received a $40 charge will be billed to the parents/caregivers for the missed session, regardless of payment source (KCRO, insurance, etc.).  We realize that 24-hour notice is not always possible if your child suddenly becomes ill. Please provide therapists with as much advance notice as possible and do not bring your child to class if he or she is sick.

Closings – Inclement Weather & Holidays

In the event that it is necessary for the Marian Hope Center to cancel a therapy class, families will be notified via email and it will be posted on the Marian Hope Center website and Facebook page.

MHC plans to be closed for the listed holidays in 2022-2023. However, there may be exceptions and it is recommended that you confirm cancellations with your child’s therapists.

CLOSINGS

Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 24, 2022

  Christmas Day  – Monday, December 26, 2022

New Year’s Day – Monday, January 2, 2023 

   Memorial Day- Monday, May 29, 2023

   Independence Day –  Tuesday, July 4, 2023

  Labor Day – Monday, September 4, 2023

  

Any other cancellations will be made known to you in as much advance as possible by our staff. Please contact Theresa Sonderman or a staff member if you have any questions about class schedules.

Illnesses & Injuries

The problem of communicable disease is prevalent in every group and MHC is no exception. If a child becomes ill at MHC the director or staff member will immediately notify the parents. The child will be kept separated from the group until taken home.

Children will not be permitted at our center with any of the following conditions:

1. Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher within the past 24-hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

2. Vomiting within the past 24 hours.

3. Diarrhea – three or more watery stools in a 24-hour period.

4. Draining rash or undiagnosed rash lasting over a 24-hour period.

5. Eye discharge or pink eye. Children can be readmitted after medical diagnosis to rule out bacterial or viral infection, or 24 hours on antibiotic treatment.

6. Fatigue that prevents participation in regular activities.

7. Open oozing sores and scabs, unless properly covered and 24 hours on antibiotic treatment.

8. Head lice – until treatment is effective.

9. Positive test for the flu with active symptoms.

10. Positive test for COVID-19 – guidelines set forth by Jackson County Health Department and/or the Centers for Disease Control and/or the City of Independence Health Department will be followed.

In case of minor injury or accident, the staff will administer basic first aid. All injuries or illnesses not requiring immediate parental notification will be documented and reported to parents when the child is picked up at the end of the day.

In case of medical injury or illness requiring immediate professional care (i.e., emergency), the staff will call 911, giving location and nature of emergency. As appropriate, the staff will administer CPR or first aid measures. Parents will be notified immediately. If parents are unavailable, those individuals designated as emergency phone contacts will be notified. All children must have an emergency contact card on file in case of such an emergency.

In case of injury or accident in which paramedics are not needed but immediate professional care is required, the staff will contact the parents. If parents are unavailable, those individuals designated as emergency contacts will be notified.

MHC staff cannot transport children to a hospital or doctor’s office. Injured children shall be transported for medical aid by parents or by calling 911 for an ambulance.

If a child ingests or comes in contact with a poisonous substance, the staff will contact the Poison Control Center at 206-526-2121. Parents will be notified immediately.

Privacy

In an effort to protect your family’s privacy, therapists prefer to discuss your child’s progress with you in private. The Marian Hope Center Privacy Policy prohibits families from disclosing any information or asking questions to staff regarding other children and their families who participate in the classes.

To ensure compliance with HIPAA, parents and siblings are not allowed in the treatment area unless specific arrangements have been made with the treating therapist.  To maintain confidentiality of clients during their therapy session the following procedure must be observed:

  1. Parents choosing to observe must sign a confidentiality statement.
  2. While observing your child’s therapy, you may be asked to leave the treatment area in observance of HIPAA to maintain confidentiality. The location may need to be modified if one of the other children in the class requests that no other parents be in the same room as their child during treatment.
  3. Siblings are not allowed in the treatment area unless authorized by the treating therapist for therapeutic reasons.
  4. Please turn off your cell phone during observation.
  5. Stay only in the area in which your child is working.
  6. Please respect the other clients’ therapy session if/when your presence is distracting.

Meals & Snacks

There are some classes at the MHC in which meals or snacks are provided. Please indicate any special diets, allergies, or restrictions well in advance.

A binder of dietary needs is maintained and can be found in the MHC kitchen. In general, the MHC strives to offer healthy options for food and makes an effort to provide foods that are free of high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors & flavors.

Medications

If your child needs medication, it is preferred that he/she receive it at home when possible. Limiting medications dispensed away from home prevents medication errors. If medications need to be administered at MHC, the following conditions must be met:

  • Prescription medication will be accepted only if it is in the original container.
  • Nonprescription medication or supplements will only be administered by following the manufacturer’s recommendation on the label or written instructions from a licensed physician. Medication or supplements must be in the original container.
  • Before any prescription or nonprescription medication can be administered, including sunscreen, we must have permission in writing by the child’s parent or guardian.
  • Medication needs to go home after the last date that the medication is administered.

Child Abuse Reporting Requirements

MHC staff are required by Missouri State law and licensing requirements to report immediately to the police or Department of Child & Family Services (DCFS) any instance when there is reason to suspect the occurrence of physical, sexual, or emotional child abuse, child neglect, or exploitation.

The staff may not notify parents when the police or DCFS are called about possible child abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Field Trips

Some classes will occasionally take field trips. Transportation for field trips is required to be provided by the child’s parent or caregiver. Parents will be notified in writing of any upcoming field trips. Written parental permission is required for your child to attend each field trip.

Backpacks & Clothing

In preparation of accidents that may occur, it is strongly recommended that your child bring a backpack to MHC containing a complete change of clothing. If your child wears diapers, please include a sufficient supply. Backpacks will also be used to transport your child’s crafts and art projects as well as notifications to parents.

Feel free to include notes to the MHC staff as needed. All backpacks and loose clothing (e.g., jackets & hats) should be clearly marked with your child’s name. We recommend sending your child in closed toe shoes. Hats, mittens, and warm clothing must be worn during the cooler seasons for outdoor playtime. Hats and/or sunglasses are strongly recommended during sunny weather.

Parent Responsibilities

  • Please bring your child to class on time. Notify MHC with as much advance notice as possible if your child will be late or absent.
  • Make sure that your child is under the care of a staff member before leaving the building. Please monitor your children while they are at the MHC and not under the supervision of a staff member.
  • Only those persons approved by the child’s parent(s) may take a child from MHC. If those persons are not known to current staff, identification will be required.
  • Respect the privacy of other families at MHC.
  • Provide a copy of your child’s current IEP and/or evaluation reports if your child is receiving therapy services.
  • Fulfill your fundraising/donation commitment for each semester that your child is enrolled. (See page 3.)
  • Please do not allow your child to bring any gum or candy to MHC.
  • Pick up and read the notices and information left for you in your child’s folder.
  • Pick up your child’s papers/projects daily. Their work is very important to them and provides another means of communication between parent and child and helps the parent share in the child’s day.
  • Refrain from smoking on the premises, either indoors or outdoors.
  • We ask that you encourage your child to leave the waiting area and play areas neat and orderly.
  • Because children quickly learn to model behavior, we ask that you govern your speech and conduct in a way that promotes acceptance and inclusion of all children.
  • Contact a staff member directly if you have questions or concerns about policies or services received at MHC.