Rules of Participation

All individuals:

1. Must follow all federal, state and county laws, and the rules, procedures and operating policies of the Highlands Ranch Metro District, the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department and the Highlands Ranch Senior Center.
2. Must complete a registration form and provide basic information if they would like to participate in programs, trips, and/or use the facility. Exception: one-time special events open to the community. 
3. Shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of the facility while on the premises. Individuals engaging in any activity that is disruptive to the legitimate use of the facility/programs by others, or that may present a danger to themselves or others may be asked to leave. The senior center does not provide sleeping accommodation. Lying outstretched on the furniture or floor is not allowed.
4. May not use language or behavior that is obscene, abusive, disrespectful, loud, or insulting.
5. May not intimidate, harass, threaten, discriminate or bully another individual(s) through words (verbal and/or written) or actions. Such behavior includes direct physical contact, such as hitting or shoving; verbal assaults, such as teasing, name-calling, gossiping or making sarcastic remarks; shunning/excluding; harassment or discrimination based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, religion, political affiliation or disabling condition; leaving inappropriate notes or items; and social isolation or manipulation.
6. May not gamble, panhandle, smoke or engage in sexual activity in the building or premises.
7. May not participate in any illegal activity while in the building or while on the grounds.
8. May not participate while under the influence of illegal drugs or when intoxicated or impaired by alcohol or drugs.
9. May not discharge a weapon in the building or while on the grounds.
10. May not purposefully destroy or steal property or money, in the building or on the premises.
11. Are expected to maintain an acceptable standard of personal hygiene. Infested clothing or personal effects, unpleasant body odor or personal hygiene, and strong perfume, cologne or smoke odors can constitute a health or safety hazard to others and is unacceptable. Public restrooms cannot be used to maintain or take care of personal hygiene (i.e., shaving, sink baths, etc.); toothbrushing is permitted.
12. Need to function in the building without one-to-one assistance or supervision from staff. Individuals who need assistance must always have a qualified companion or aide to escort them, provide any personal assistance, and agree to the center's policies.
13. Must be able to move safely and independently in the building or use an assistive device independently.  Individuals are responsible for providing and maintaining personal assistive devices.
14. Must abide by the Metro District’s non-solicitation and confidentiality policies. 
15. Have a role in keeping the facility, furnishings and equipment in good repair by using them in a considerate manner and putting all waste in the receptacles. 
16. Must demonstrate respect for others when participating in classes, activities and meetings and turn cell phones off or on vibrate. All incoming calls should be taken at a location away from center activities.
17. Must understand their responsibility and be able to conform their behavior to the rules of the Metro District.
18. Must wear shoes and clothing appropriate for center/program activities when in the building.

The Rules of Participation also apply to Friends of the Highlands Ranch Senior Center activities, trips, and Metro District sponsored events held away from the senior center.  

Disciplinary Procedures for Misconduct: 

Members who do not adhere to the Rules of Participation will be asked to leave the premises immediately. If the violator refuses to leave the premises, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will be called. The Senior Services Manager will then assess the situation and determine a course of action consistent with the behavior. All incidents of harassment of staff will be reported to the Human Resources Department. 

The following steps are to be used to resolve disruptive behavioral issues. The sequence of the action steps shall be progressive but need not be followed sequentially. The process may start at the step most appropriate to the situation; that is, any step may be skipped if this is a repeated incident or if the violation’s severity warrants entering the disciplinary process at another step. 

1. General counseling
2. Verbal warning
3. Written warning
4. Behavior contract
5. Suspension

Filing a Complaint Regarding the Conduct of Another Individual: 

If an individual at the Senior Center feels threatened or in harm’s way due to the conduct, action, or behavior of another person or feels such is disruptive/inappropriate, this should be immediately brought to the attention of a staff member. The Senior Services Manager will be notified, and a meeting will be held to discuss the incident. If an individual witness to a violation of the Rules of Participation, that person should immediately notify a staff member. All conversations will be handled discreetly and confidentially when possible.

To ensure the safe participation in activities at the senior center, the Metro District may cancel programs in the event of inclement weather or unhealthy air quality. The Metro District may also close the senior center or have a late opening when inclement weather or hazardous air quality occurs. 

Inclement weather: 

• Senior center staff will regularly monitor weather forecasts, paying special attention to snowfall predictions and extreme cold temperatures.
• If programs/classes are to be canceled, participants will be notified as soon as a decision is made, but at least one hour prior to the scheduled time of the event.
• Senior center staff will communicate cancelations or delays to participants through various channels, including a phone call, text, and/or email. 
• Refunds will be processed according to the Program Refund Policy. 
• In the event the inclement weather is significant enough to close the senior center, or delay the center’s opening, the Senior Services Manager will make the decision as soon as possible. The Senior Services Manager will consult with other staff, including the Director of Recreation and Cultural Programs and the General Manager.

Air quality:

• When the air quality index reaches an unhealthy level (151 to 200), all activities being held on the grounds of the senior center (such as bocce, outdoor social events) will be moved indoors or canceled.
• When the air quality index reaches a very unhealthy level (201 to 300), all outdoor activities (such as trail walks) and trips will be cancelled.
• When the air quality reaches a hazardous level (301 and higher), the senior center will be closed until the air quality index is 300 or lower. 

The Metro District has established the following guidelines for program refunds:

• Refunds are granted in full for any program cancelled by the Metro District (i.e., due to low attendance or inclement weather). Refunds will be credited back to the individual’s MyActiveCenter account. If a single class within a series is canceled (such as a fitness class), participants will receive a partial refund based on the amount paid for the canceled class at the end of the month.
• Credits or refunds requested by the participant must be received at least five working days prior to the beginning of the program. If a check/credit card refund is requested, a $5 processing fee will be applied to all program fees up to $50. A $15 processing fee will apply to program fees over $50. Credits or refunds requested by the participants after a program has started will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Refunds for medical reasons must be accompanied by a physician’s note. Exceptions: if the event is a ticketed activity, no refunds will be given unless we resell the ticket.
  

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that facilities, including senior centers, make reasonable accommodations so that individuals with disabilities may participate.  The Companion Policy was established to ensure that individuals who require one-to-one assistance are informed of their option to participate with a companion and are made aware of the Highlands Ranch Metro District’s expectations of all parties in such an arrangement.

Policy

Procedures

If a participant, or someone acting on his or her behalf (such as a legal guardian), requests that a participant attend the center with a companion, staff will inform the individual that an assessment is required prior to registering for center membership to determine if a companion arrangement is appropriate. Staff may also initiate the assessment of need for a companion. Center staff will notify the Senior Services Manager to begin the assessment process.

The Senior Services Manager meets initially with the individual to do a functional and behavioral assessment. There are three potential outcomes from the assessment:

1. The individual needs a companion to participate in center activities.
2. The individual does not need a companion to participate in center activities.
3. The individual cannot participate in the center at all.

If a member needs a companion, he or she must sign the Member Companion Form and the companion must sign the Companion Agreement Form, which outlines all responsibilities while in the center. Completed forms should be emailed to Jill Hall at jhall@highlandsranch.org. 

The Senior Services Manager informs the participant and the companion that staff will monitor the companion arrangement. Reassessments will also occur if problems arise or if the individual’s needs change. Reassessments may reveal that the companion is no longer necessary or that the client is no longer eligible for participation.

If there is a change of companion or multiple companions for the same member, individual forms must be completed and signed by each companion. It is the member’s responsibility to notify staff and receive approval of a change in companion. When there is a change in companion, the Senior Services Manager can approve the new companion and complete the paperwork. If there are concerns about the new companion, the member and companion should be referred to the Senior Services Manager.