Division of Youth Services policies

The CDHS Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court to the custody of CDHS. DYS operates 12 secure youth centers that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21 who are pre-adjudicated or committed. In addition to residential programming, DYS administers juvenile parole services throughout Colorado. 

If you need help with any of the policies below or would like to request archived versions of a specific policy, contact DYS Policy Advisor Michael McAuliffe at 720.219.7637 or michael.mcauliffe@state.co.us

Policy index: State programs

Below is a listing of state program policies and the associated links to access the policies.

Chapter/Policy	Subject of Chapter/Policy
CHAPTER 1	Administration, Organization and Management
1-1	Legal Authority and Division Mission
1-2	Internal and External Communications
1-3	Admission Criteria
1-6	Contract Programs
1-9	Legal Representation and Assistance
1-11	Public Information and News Media
1-12A	Detention Victim Notification Program
1-12B	Committed Victim Notification Program
1-13	Dress Code
1-14	Youth Center Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Support
1-15	Waivers
1-16	Detention Capacity
1-17	HIPAA General Provisions
CHAPTER 2	Fiscal Management
2-1	Purchase and Lease of Electronic Hardware and Software
2-3	Accounting for Appropriations and Expenditures of Funds
2-4	Youth Trust Funds
2-5	Youth Personal Funds
2-6	Internal Control and Monitoring of Accounting Procedures
2-7	Capital Assets Inventory Control
2-8	Warehouse Inventory and Expendable Program Supplies
2-9	Position Control
2-12	Contracts and Grants
CHAPTER 3	Personnel
3-1	Employee Grievances
3-2	Membership in Employee Organizations and Employee Representation
3-3	Outside Employment and Conflict of Interest
3-4	Administering Corrective and Disciplinary Actions
3-5	Drug Free Workplace/Substance Abuse and Tobacco Use
3-6	Leave, Timekeeping, KRONOS, Worker's Compensation, FMLA, FLSA, Administrative Leave
3-6A	Youth Center Scheduling
3-6B	Flexible Work Arrangements
3-8	Appointing Authority
3-9	Certification, Licensure, and Letters
3-10	Personnel Records
3-11	Policy Manual Establishment and Maintenance
3-12	Personnel Selection, Retention, Promotion, Layoff, and Separation
3-14	Personnel Actions Related to Alleged Child Abuse
3-15	Client Managers/Parole Officers Carrying Badges and Dangerous Weapons
3-18	Employee Assistance Program
3-20	Relationships between Employees and Youth
3-21	Employee Background Search, Employee Reporting Responsibility, Trails Database Checks
3-25	Transitional Duty
3-28	Violence in the Workplace and Sexual Harassment
3-30	Professional Conduct
3-31	State Policy Review Process
CHAPTER 4	Training and Staff Development
4-1	Training and Training Requirements-Youth Center Based
4-2	Training and Training Requirements-Non-Youth Center Based Employees
4-3	Training Requirements for Regional Based Employees
CHAPTER 5	Management Information and Research
5-1	Colorado TRAILS Database
5-2	Research, Evaluation, and Analytics
CHAPTER 6	Youth Records
6-1	Content, Use, Transfer, Security, and Release of Youth Records
6-2	Inactive Youth Records
CHAPTER 7	Physical Plant
7-1	Existing Youth Center Requirements
7-3	Building and Equipment Maintenance
7-4	Assignment of Space
CHAPTER 8	Safety and Emergency
8-1	Fire Safety Coordination
8-2	Risk Management
8-3	Control and Use of Flammable, Toxic, and Caustic Materials
8-4	Regional Field Safety
8-5	Inclement Weather
CHAPTER 9	Security and Control
9-1	Perimeter Security and Security Inspections
9-2	Control Center
9-3	Youth Supervision and Movement
9-4	Physical Response and Protective Devices
9-5	Count Policies and Procedures
9-6	Shift Assignments and Shift Logs
9-8A	Reporting Critical Incidents-Youth Centers
9-8B	Reporting Critical Incidents-Regional Offices
9-9	Dangerous Weapons
9-10	Key Control System
9-11	Tools, Culinary and Medical Equipment
9-12	Emergency Response Guide
9-13	Searches of Youth, Employees, Visitors, and Youth Centers
9-14	Security, Assignment, and Use of State Vehicles
9-15	Transportation of Youth Outside of the Youth Center
9-17	Reporting Alleged Abuse
9-18	Two-Way Communication
9-19	Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Prevention
9-20	Hospital/Medical Security
9-22	Use of Personal Electronic Devices in Youth Centers
9-23	Safe Treatment of Pregnant Females
9-24	Video Monitoring and Surveillance
CHAPTER 10	Food Service
10-2	Youth Center Food Service Program Management
10-3	Menu Planning and Meal Service
10-4	Work Experience Programs for Committed Youth
10-5	Employee/Guest Meals
10-6	Food from Outside Sources
10-7	Food-Borne Illness Prevention and Control
CHAPTER 11	Sanitation and Hygiene
11-1	Housekeeping Plans and Sanitation Health Inspections
11-2	Waste Disposal and Pest Control
11-3	Personal Hygiene, Clothing, Bedding, and Linen Supplies
CHAPTER 12	Medical and Health Care Services
12-1	Medical Program Administration
12-2	Medical Supplies and Equipment
12-3A	Receiving Screening and Mental Health Screening
12-3B	Health Assessments, Physical Examinations, Transfer Screening, and Discharge Planning
12-3C	Dental Services
12-4	Medical Records
12-5	Access to Medical Services
12-6	Notification of Serious Illness or Injury
12-7	Medical Emergency Protocol
12-8	Medical Treatment for Injured or Ill Employees
12-9	Special Health Care
12-10A	Use and Management of Pharmaceutical Products
12-10B	Medical Experimentation or use of Pharmaceutical for Behavior Management
12-10C	Qualified Medication Administration Personnel
12-11	Continuous Quality Improvement
12-12	Informed Consent; Permission or Refusal of Treatment
12-13	Fatality Procedures
12-14	Communicable and Infectious Diseases
12-14A	SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Employee Testing Policy
12-15	Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
12-18	Youth Head Trauma Guidelines
12-19	Chronic Disease Services
12-20	Intoxication and Withdrawal
12-21	Protective Devices and Seclusion
CHAPTER 13	Youth Rights
13-1	Basic Rights, Responsibilities, and Access to Services
13-2	Grievance Procedures
13-3	Access to Courts and Counsel
13-5	Rights, Responsibilities of Youth Regarding Personal Appearance
13-9	Non-Discriminatory Services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit Youth (LGBTQIA2S+) Youth
CHAPTER 14	Rules and Discipline
14-3A	Youth Center Rules
14-3B	Time-out, Seclusion and Program Refusal
CHAPTER 15	Behavioral Health Services
15-1	Access to Psychiatric Hospitalization
15-2	Suicide Assessment, Monitoring, and Intervention
15-3	Access to Services for the Developmentally Disabled
15-6	Substance Use Treatment Services
15-7	Sobriety Monitoring
15-7A	Toxicology Screening and Reporting
15-9	Behavioral Health Services and Documentation
15-10	Clinical Supervision
15-11	Sex Offense Specific Services
CHAPTER 16	Admission, Transfer, and Release
16-1	Admissions, Reception, and Orientation
16-2	Personal Property
16-4	Release from Custody
16-10	Transfer & Supervision of Interstate Compact Youth
16-11	Sex Offender Registration
16-14	Parole and Discharge
16-15	Aggravated Juvenile Offenders
CHAPTER 17	Programs and Services
17-1	Scope of Programs and Services
17-4	Library Services
17-5	Counseling
17-8A	Special Education Program
17-8	General Education Program
17-10	Recreation
17-11	Faith / Religious Programming
17-12	Passes
17-15	Restitution
17-16	Youth Wellness Policy, Canteen Accounts, and Audit of the Canteen Accounts
17-17	Limited English Proficiency
17-18	Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)
17-19	Room Time
17-21	Growth and Change Program
17-22	Victim Offender Dialogue
CHAPTER 18	Communications: Mail, Visits, and Telephone
18-1	Youth Visitation
18-2	Youth Correspondence
18-3	Telephone
CHAPTER 19	Federal Entitlement Programs
19-1	Judicial Findings Regarding Reasonable Efforts and Eligibility Determination and Re-determination
19-2	Youth Development Plans
19-3	Administrative Review
CHAPTER 20	External Persons Providing Services to Youth
20-2	Volunteers
20-3	Providers
CHAPTER 21	Assessment and Classification
21-1	Assessment Procedures, Risk Assessment, Classification, and Reclassification
21-2	Length of Stay
21-3	Youth Photographing and Fingerprinting
21-4	Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI)
21-5	Substance Use Assessment
CHAPTER 22	Information Technology
22-1	Use of Information Technology
22-5	Computer Network and Internet Use in the Classroom

Policy index: Contract programs

Below is a listing of contract program policies and the associated links to access the policies.

Contract Chapter/Policy	Subject of Chapter/Policy
CHAPTER 1	Administration, Organization, and Management
1-11	Public Information/News Media
1-15	Waivers
CHAPTER 2	Fiscal Management
2-5	Youth Personal Funds (Custodial)
CHAPTER 3	Personnel
3-9	Certification, Licensure and Letters
3-11	Policy Manuals Establishment and Maintenance
3-14	Personnel Actions Related to Alleged Child Abuse
3-20	Relationships Between Youth and Employees
3-21	Employee Background Search; Employee Reporting Responsibility; Trails Database Checks
CHAPTER 4	Training and Staff Development
4-1	Training Requirements - Program Based
CHAPTER 5	Management Information and Research
5-1	Colorado TRAILS Database
5-2	Research and Evaluation
CHAPTER 6	Youth Records
6-1	Content, Use, Transfer, Security and Release of Youth Records
6-2	Closed Youth Records
CHAPTER 8	Safety and Emergency
8-1	Fire Safety Inspections and Prevention
8-3	Control and Use of Flammable, Toxic and Caustic Materials
CHAPTER 9	Security and Control
9-1	Perimeter Security and Security Inspections
9-2	Control Center
9-3	Youth Supervision and Movement
9-4	Physical Management and Security Equipment
9-5	Count Policies and Procedures
9-6	Shift Assignments and Shift Logs
9-8	Reporting Critical Incidents
9-9	Dangerous Weapons
9-11	Tools, Culinary and Medical Equipment
9-12	Residential Contract Program Emergency Response Procedures
9-13	Searches of Youth and Contract Programs
9-15	Transportation of Youth Outside of the Contract Program
9-17	Reporting Alleged Child Abuse
9-19	Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Prevention
9-20	Hospital Security
9-23	Safe Treatment of Pregnant Females
CHAPTER 10	Food Service
10-3	Menu Planning and Meal Service
10-4	Work Experience Program for Committed Youth
10-7	Food-Borne Illness Prevention and Control
CHAPTER 11	Sanitation and Hygiene
11-1	Housekeeping Plans and Sanitation Health Inspections
11-3	Personal Hygiene, Clothing, Bedding and Linen Supplies
CHAPTER 12	Medical and Health Care Services
12-1	Medical Program Administration
12-2	Medical Supplies and Equipment
12-3	Health Screenings, Appraisals, and Physical and Dental Examinations
12-4	Medical Records
12-6	Notification of Serious Illness or Injury
12-7	Medical Emergency Protocol
12-9	Special Health Care
12-10	Use of Pharmaceutical Products and Prohibition of Medical Experimentation or Use of Pharmaceuticals for Behavior Management
12-12	Medical and Psychiatric Informed Consent: Permission or Refusal of Treatment
12-13	Fatality Procedures
12-14	Communicable and Infectious Diseases
12-15	Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
12-18	Youth Head Trauma Guidelines
12-19	Chronic Disease Services
CHAPTER 13	Youth Rights
13-1	Basic Rights, Responsibilities and Access to Services
13-2	Grievance Procedures
13-3	Access to Courts and Council
CHAPTER 14	Rules and Discipline
14-3A	Contract Program Rules
CHAPTER 15	Behavioral Health Services
15-1	Access to Psychiatric Hospitalization
15-2	Suicide Assessment, Monitoring and Intervention
15-3	Access to Services for the Developmentally Disabled
15-4	Psychotropic Emergency Medications
15-6	Substance Abuse Services
15-7	Sobriety Monitoring
15-9	Supervision, Services, and Documentation
CHAPTER 16	Admission, Transfer and Release
16-1	Admission, Reception and Orientation
16-2	Personal Property
16-4	Release from Custody
16-11	Sex Offender Registration
CHAPTER 17	Programs and Services
17-1	Scope of Programs and Services
17-8	Educational Programs
17-10	Recreation
17-11	Faith/Religious Programming
17-12	Passes
17-16	Youth Wellness Policy
17-18	Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)
17-20	Special Management of Youth
CHAPTER 18	Communications:  Mail, Visits, and Telephone
18-1	Youth Visiting
18-2	Youth Correspondence
18-3	Telephone
CHAPTER 20	Citizen Involvement and Volunteers
20-1	Volunteer/Intern Management

Policy updates: Policy approval guidelines and alerts

Click here to access policy approval guidelines, sign up to receive alerts on new policies, access research on relevant policies, and contact the DYS Policy Advisor.

Forms

Forms available to the public are listed below. DYS employees can access internal forms by clicking here.

Key terms and definitions

Below is a reference guide for all key terms and definitions utilized in state and contract policies.

Associated statutes and regulations for state policies

Below is a listing of DYS state policies and the associated CDHS policy, federal and state regulation and Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.).

Associated statutes and regulations for contract policies

Below is a listing of DYS contract policies and the associated CDHS policy, federal and state regulation and Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.).

State Policy Review Committee meeting minutes

Below is a list of minutes from previous State Policy Review Committee Meetings