CONDITIONS SET TO KEEP SHELTER OPEN.

Byline: Deborah Sullivan Daily News Staff Writer

After months of arduous negotiations, Casa Pacifica has reached agreement with the state to remain open as an emergency shelter for troubled youths, with limits on accepting very young children.

The agreement, signed Friday by state Department of Social Services officials, revokes the shelter's licenses and substitutes those with three-year probationary licenses, said Dave Dodds, the agency's assistant deputy director of community care licensing.

It also details when and how the shelter may accept very young children; when and how it can use physical restraints; and what staffing levels and qualifications it must meet.

``Bottom line, with these conditions in place, we believe they can continue to provide safe and adequate care to children,'' Dodds said. ``And we will be monitoring this very closely.''

Steve Elson, executive director of Casa Pacifica, said he is satisfied with the agreement.

``It's a settlement that we think is really a good plan for Casa Pacifica, and we pledge to work closely with the state and the county to make sure that kids who come to Casa Pacifica get the best care possible and are safe while they're here.'' The beleaguered shelter was threatened with closure after the state released a report showing children sexually abusing other children; staffers physically abusing or improperly restraining children, or allowing children to leave the shelter unsupervised or to harm themselves.

In one incident, an unsupervised 9-year-old boy molested a toddler, according to the state's accusation.

The most contentious issue in the negotiations concerned the shelter's acceptance of children under 6 - a practice that the state frowned on, but which the shelter and county considered necessary in some circumstances.

Dodds said the state and shelter agreed that Casa Pacifica may accept young children only if there is a compelling reason to keep the child with other siblings who require an intensive level of care that cannot be provided elsewhere in the county; if there is an urgent reason to keep the child with a teen-age parent; or if the young child has special needs that cannot be provided for elsewhere.

In the event that a child under 6 is admitted, the shelter must complete by December a separate and enclosed area where the child can stay. And it must ensure there is at least one caregiver for each group of three or fewer children under 6, Dodds said.

``Casa Pacifica will not retain any child under the age of 6 at any time for more than 30 days unless a waiver is granted by department,'' Dodds said.

And the shelter must submit a written report each time a child of that age is admitted, documenting his or her name, date of birth, and explaining the circumstances that justified the admission.

Dodds acknowledged that the restrictions may make it more difficult to place young children in shelter.