(a) The OCFS recognizes the value of telephone calls to enable residents to maintain contact with immediate family members, legal guardian, foster parent, person who has demonstrated a parental or sibling relationship with the resident, an authorized telephone contact, legal representative, custodian/guardian of a child of the resident, and the office of the ombudsman. For the purposes of this Subpart, an immediate family member is the mother, father, sister, brother, grandparent, spouse or child of the resident.

Authorized telephone contact shall mean those persons whose names are included on a list of telephone contacts, which list shall be developed cooperatively by the facility, the resident, and the resident's parent or guardian, at the point of intake/time of admission to the facility. Such list of telephone contacts may be amended at any time during the resident's placement in an OCFS facility with the agreement of the facility director, and the resident's parent or guardian.

(b) This regulation is intended to establish the procedures for telephone use, while maintaining the safety and security of the facility, facility staff and residents.

(c) Residents shall be informed that any call, except those to or from a legal representative or the office of the ombudsman, may be monitored by the facility.