Masonic Home for Children: Procedures Manual
Revised: February 2, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
000 PHILOSOPHY 9
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERED 9
OFFICIAL BULLETIN BOARD 9
001 HISTORY OF THE MASONIC HOME FOR CHILDREN 10
002 MISSION 11
003 MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 11
I ETHICAL PRACTICES, RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 13
I.1.4 RIGHT TO REVIEW OF RECORDS 14
I.5 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY PROTECTIONS 23
I.6 ACCESS TO RECORDS 24
I.6.1 OWNERSHIP OF RECORDS 24
I.9.1 OTHER PROFESSIONAL CODES OF ETHICS 29
I.9.2 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST REGARDING REFERRALS 29
II.1.3 SERVICES AND SERVICE DELIVERY 32
II.1.5.1 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS 37
II.1.7 TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 39
II.1.8 COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMMUNITY 40
II.1.9 SCHEDULE OF REPORTS 41
II.1.10 COMMITTEE COMPOSITION 42
II.2 PERFORMANCE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT TEAM 43
II.2.2 STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION 43
II.3 LONG RANGE AND STRATEGIC PLANNING 43
II.4 SHORT TERM PLANNING 43
II.4.1 ANNUAL PLANNING 43
II.4.2 ELEMENTS OF THE SHORT TERM PLAN 44
II.5 INTERNAL QUALITY MONITORING 44
II.5.1 UTILIZATION OF DATA COLLECTED DURING PQI PROCESSES 44
II.5.2 RISK MANAGEMENT 44
II.6 CASE RECORD REVIEW 44
II.6.1 PERIODIC REVIEWS OF CASE RECORDS 44
II.6.2 QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES: CASE RECORD REVIEWS 45
II.6.3 APPROPRIATENESS OF SERVICE/QUALITY OF SERVICE: CASE RECORD REVIEWS 45
II.6.4 CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN CASE RECORD REVIEWS 45
II.7 OUTCOME MEASURES 45
OUTCOME MEASUREMENT SYSTEM 45
II.7.1 INDIVIDUAL OUTCOME MEASURES 46
II.7.2 STANDARDIZED TESTS 46
II.7.3 AGGREGATE DATA 46
II.8 MEASUREMENT OF CONSUMER SATISFACTION 46
II.8.1 SURVEYS 46
II.8.2 STANDARDIZED SURVEY INSTRUMENTS 46
II.9 FEEDBACK MECHANISMS 46
II.10 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT/COMPUTER AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS 47
II.11 CORRECTIVE ACTION 50
II.11.1 RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS 51
II.11.2 REVIEW OF MANUALS AND DIRECTIVES 51
III. ORGANIZATIONAL INTEGRITY 51
III.1 PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION 51
III.2 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 51
III.2.1 THE MASONIC HOME FOR CHILDREN: PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION 51
III.2.2 COMMUNICATIONS METHODS 52
III.2.3 DIRECTORSHIP OF THE AGENCY 52
III.3 ADVOCACY 52
III.3.1 ADVOCACY PLAN 52
III.3.2 BOARD INVOLVEMENT 52
III.3.4 through
III.3.10 BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES 53
III.3.11 through
III.13 BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO MANAGING ASSETS 53
IV. MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES 53
IV.1 HUMAN RESOURCE PLANNING, ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYMENT 53
IV.1.1 HUMAN RESOURCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MISSION 53
IV.1.2 ANNUAL REVIEW OF HUMAN RESOURCES 53
IV.1.3 HUMAN RESOURCES: STRENGTH 54
IV.1.3.1 LINE OF AUTHORITY 54
IV.1.4 WORKLOAD 55
IV.1.5 ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL 55
IV.2 PERSONNEL POLICIES 55
IV.3 HARASSMENT 55
IV.3.1 GENERAL STATEMENT OF ZERO TOLERANCE 55
IV.4 FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF PERSONNEL 56
IV.5 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT 56
IV.6 RECRUITMENT 56
IV.6.1 JOB DESCRIPTIONS 56
IV.6.2 JOB DESCRIPTIONS: BOARD REVIEW 57
IV.6.3 HIRING SELECTION: QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS 57
IV.6.5 UNQUALIFIED APPLICANTS 57
IV.7 RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES 57
IV.7.1 JOB VACANCY NOTIFICATION AND PROCEDURES FOR SCREENING APPLICANTS 57
IV.7.3 INTERVIEWS 58
IV.7.4 SCREENING OF APPLICANTS 58
IV.8 COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND PERSONNEL CAPABILITIES 58
IV.9 QUALIFICATIONS OF ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP 59
IV.9.1 ADMINISTRATOR 59
IV.9.3 SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND COMMITMENT TO PERFORMANCE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT 60
IV.10 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES 60
IV.11 PERSONNEL RECORDS 60
IV.11.1 PERSONNEL RECORDS: CONTENTS 60
IV.11.2 PERSONNEL RECORDS: HEALTH 60
IV.11.3 PERSONNEL RECORDS: ACCESS BY PERSONNEL 60
IV.11.4 EXIT INTERVIEWS 60
IV.12 ACCOUNTABILITY AND PERFORMANCE REVIEW 61
IV.12.1 SUPERVISORY CREDENTIALS 61
IV.12.2 SUPERVISORY CREDENTIALS: CONTRACT PERSONNEL 61
IV.12.3 INTERNSHIPS AND FIELD PLACEMENTS 61
IV.12.4 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS 61
IV.12.5 OUTCOMES-ORIENTED PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES 61
IV.12.6 PERFORMANCE REVIEWS: CONTENTS 61
IV.12.7 PERFORMANCE REVIEWS: DISPOSITION 62
IV.12.8 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AND NON-VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT 62
IV.13 HUMAN RESOURCES ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION 62
IV.13.1 PERSONNEL RETENTION 63
IV.13.2 PERSONNEL SATISFACTION SURVEYS 63
IV.13.3 COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION 63
IV.13.4 PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT PLANS 64
IV.13.5 TAX LAWS; WAGE & HOUR LAWS AND PERSONNEL PRACTICES 64
IV.14 TEAM-DELIVERED SERVICES: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 64
IV.15 STAFF BEHAVIORS 65
PROFANITY 65
V.00 QUALITY OF SERVICE ENVIRONMENT 65
V.1 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 65
V.1.1 COMFORT AND DIGNITY FOR CLIENTS SERVED 65
V.1.2 INPUT FROM CLIENTS 65
V.1.3 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT AND SMOKING 65
V.1.4 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT: WORK OFFICES AND MEETING ROOMS 66
V.1.5 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT: RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES 66
V.1.6 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT: FOOD SERVICE 66
V.2 ACCESS TO SERVICES 68
V.2.1 FACILITY LOCATION 68
V.2.2 HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY 68
V.2.3 ACCESSIBILITY: LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND EQUAL ALTERNATIVE 68
V.3 COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS 68
V.3.1 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS 68
V.4 COMPLIANCE WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY CODES AND REGULATIONS 69
V.4.1 HEALTH REGULATIONS AND CODES 69
V.4.2 FACILITY INSPECTIONS 69
V.4.3 MONTHLY FACILITY INSPECTIONS 69
V.4.4 FIRE SAFETY INSPECTIONS 70
V.5 FUNCTIONAL SAFETY: VEHICULAR 70
V.6 FACILITY SAFETY AND SECURITY 72
V.7 EMERGENCY RESPONSE 72
V.8 CONTAGIOUS DISEASES 76
V.8.2 HEPATITIS “B” 79
V.8.5 CONTAGIOUS DISEASES: FOOD PREPARATION & HANDLING 80
V.9 SPECIAL HEALTH PRECAUTIONS 80
V.9.1 CLEANLINESS STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES: RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAM 80
V.9.2 RESPONSIBILITIES 80
V.9.3 SPECIAL HEALTH PRECAUTIONS: CHOKING 80
V.9.4 SPECIAL HEALTH PRECAUTIONS: POISON CONTROL 81
V.10 SERVICE ENVIRONMENT: THE MASONIC HOME FOR CHILDREN 81
V.10.1 NON-INSTITUTIONAL APPROACH AND PHILOSOPHY 81
V.10.2 PROMOTION OF PRIVACY AND HOME SIZE 81
V.10.3 RESIDENT ROOMS 81
V.10.4 TOILETS AND COMMON AREAS 81
V.10.5 STAFF ROOMS, COUNSELING SPACE, AND LOCKERS 82
V.10.6 PERPETRATORS OF VIOLENT CRIMES OR CRIMES OF A SEXUAL NATURE 82
VI. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 83
VI.1 ALIGNMENT OF FINANCING WITH MISSION 83
VI.2 FINANCIAL PLANNING 83
VI.2.1 BUDGET PREPARATION 83
VI.2.2 BOARD OF TRUSTEE APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET 83
VI.2.3 DEVIATIONS FROM THE BUDGET 83
VI.3 FINANCIAL INFORMATION 83
VI.4 FISCAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 84
VI.5 FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 86
VI.6 PAYROLL PROCEDURES 86
VI.7 DOCUMENT RETENTION AND DESTRUCTION 86
VII. TRAINING AND SUPERVISION 88
VII.1 ORIENTATION OF NEW PERSONNEL 89
VII.2 PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM 89
VII.3 TRAINING CONTENT 89
VII.4 RISK MANAGEMENT TRAINING 90
VII.5 SUPERVISION 90
VII.6 SUPERVISION: ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 91
VII.6.1 LEADERSHIP 91
VII.6.2 SUPERVISION AND STAFF SUPPORT 92
VII.6.3 SUPERVISION AND INTERVIEWING EMPLOYMENT APPLICANTS 92
VII.6.4 SUPERVISORS THAT OVERSEE DIRECT SERVICES 92
VII.6.5 SUPERVISION: EXTERNAL 92
VIII INTAKE, ASSESSMENT, AND SERVICE PLANNING 92
VIII.1 SCREENING AND INTAKE 92
VIII.1.1 SCREENING AND INTAKE FOR SEPARATE PROGRAMS 92
VIII.1.2 TIMEFRAMES FOR SCREENINGS 92
VIII.1.3 REFERRALS FOR SERVICES NOT PROVIDED BY THE AGENCY 93
VIII.1.4 FEES FOR SERVICE 93
VIII.1.5 TERMINATION OF SERVICES FOR NON-PAYMENT OF FEES 93
VIII.2 ASSESSMENT PROCESSES 93
VIII.2.1 SOURCES OF INFORMATION 93
VIII.2.3 HEALTH CARE ASSESSMENTS 93
VIII.2.4 ASSESSMENTS AND CULTURAL, ETHNIC & RACIAL CONSIDERATIONS 93
VIII.2.5 ASSESSMENTS & TIME LIMITATIONS 93
VIII.2.6 ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED BY CONTRACTUAL OR AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS 94
VIII.3 ASSESSMENT OF PERSONS AND FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 94
VIII.3.1 RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL NEEDS 94
VIII.3.5 VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENTS 94
VIII.4 SERVICE PLANNING 94
VIII.4.1 SERVICE PLANNING, TRIAGING, AND TIME REQUIREMENTS 94
VIII.5 FAMILY FOCUSED SERVICE PLANNING 95
VIII.5.1 DISCHARGE PLAN/AFTER-CARE PLAN 95
VIII.5.2 EDUCATIONAL PLAN 96
VIII.5.3 SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 96
VIII.5.4 INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLANS (ISPs) RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAM 96
VIII.5 NOT APPLICABLE 96
VIII.6 LEAST RESTRICTIVE SERVICE PLAN 96
VIII.7 SERVICE PLANNING FOR PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 96
IX SERVICE DELIVERY 97
IX.1 SERVICE DELIVERY PROCESSES 97
IX.1.2 CLIENT DECISION-MAKING 97
IX.1.3 SERVICE PLANNING AND ISPs 97
IX.1.4 SERVICE DELIVERY AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE 97
IX.2 SERVICE MODALITIES AND INTERVENTIONS 97
IX.2.1 SERVICE PHILOSOPHY 97
IX.2.2 AUTHORIZED SERVICE MODALITIES AND INTERVENTIONS 98
IX.2.3 NON-TRADITIONAL TREATMENTS 98
IX.2.4 NORMALIZATION 99
IX.2.5 BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION 99
IX.2.6 BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION DOCUMENTATION 99
IX.2.7 PUNISHMENT AND DISCIPLINE 99
IX.2.8 DISCONTINUATION OF INEFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS 102
IX.3 MEDICATION CONTROL AND ADMINISTRATION 102
IX.3.1 HOSPITALIZATION / MEDICAL EMERGENCIES 105
IX.4 SERVICE CONTINUITY AND COORDINATION 105
IX.5 CASE RECORDS 105
IX.6 CASE SUPERVISION 107
IX.6.1 SUPERVISION AND PERIODIC CASE REVIEWS 108
IX.7 TERMINATION OR DISCHARGE 108
IX.8 AFTERCARE AND FOLLOW-UP SERVICES 108
IX.9 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND COLLABORATION 109
IX.10 SPECIAL SERVICE DELIVERY ISSUES 109
IX.11 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH AT
THE MASONIC HOME FOR CHILDREN 110
IX.13 GROUP ASSIGNMENTS AT THE MASONIC HOME FOR CHILDREN 110
X. BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT 110
X.4 ISOLATION 111
X.5 MANUAL RESTRAINTS 111
X.6 LOCKED SECLUSION 111
X.7 MECHANICAL RESTRAINTS 111
XI ADMINISTRATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT 111
XI.1 LOSS AND LIABILITY 111
XI.2 RISK MANAGEMENT INSURANCE 112
XI.3 LEGAL COMPLIANCE 112
XI.4 SECURITY OF INFORMATION 112
XI.5 MEDIA RELATIONS 112
XI.6 CONTRACTS AND SERVICE AGREEMENTS 112
XI.7 CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS 113
XI.8 ADDITIONAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS 113
XI.9 QUALITY MONITORING OF PURCHASED SERVICES 113
XI.10 MANAGEMENT OF INVESTMENTS 113
XII FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURES 113
XII.1 ETHICS 113
XII.22 LODGE PRESENTATIONS 114
XII.3 DONATIONS 114
XII.4 RESTRICTED GIFTS 114
XII.5 CONSULTANTS AND CONTRACTORS 114
XII.6 PUBLIC RELATIONS 114
XII.8 COST EFFECTIVENESS AND PROPER STEWARDSHIP 114
XII.9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 115
XIII MEETINGS AND PUBLICATIONS PROCEDURES 115
XIII.1 DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETINGS 115
XIII.2 STAFF MEETINGS 115
XIII.3 TEAM MEETINGS 115
XIII.4 INDIVIDUAL HOME (FAMILY) MEETINGS 115
XIII.5 MEMORANDUMS 115
XIII.6 EMPLOYEE WORK SCHEDULES: CHILD CARE WORKERS 116
XIII.7 EMPLOYEE WORK SCHEDULES: OTHERS 116
XIII.8 TIME SHEETS 116
XIV MAIL 116
XV TRANSPORTATION AND VEHICLE PROCEDURES 116
XV.1 STAFF USE OF PERSONAL VEHICLES 116
XV.2 VEHICLE SAFETY 117
XV.3 CITATIONS 117
XV.4 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 117
XV.5 OFF CAMPUS MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS 117
XV.6 VEHICLE ACCIDENTS 117
XV.7 GASOLINE USAGE 117
XV.8 RESIDENT CHILDREN OPERATING VEHICLES 118
XV.9 TRANSPORTATION FOR RESIDENT CHILDREN 118
XV.10 EMPLOYEES AND AGENCY VEHICLES 118
XVI MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES 118
XVI.1 FACILITY INSPECTIONS 119
XVI.2 REPORTING DAMAGES AND REPAIRS 119
XVI.3 WILLFUL DESTRUCTION AND DAMAGES 119
XVI.4 LAWN CARE AND GROUNDS-KEEPING 119
XVII ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTING PROCEDURES 119
XVII.1 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE 119
XVII.2 REPORTING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE 120
XVII.3 ASSUMPTIONS AND DEFINITIONS 120
XVII.4 HOW TO REPORT SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION 121
XVII.5 CHILD PROTECTION ASSESSMENT 121
XVII.6 THE INVESTIGATION 123
XVII.7 EVIDENCE 123
XVII.8 THE INTERVIEW 123
XVII.9 CONCLUSION 124
XVII.10 RIGHT TO KNOW AND THE TEAM CONCEPT 124
XVII.11 REPORTING PHYSICAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT 124
XVII.12 DEFINITIONS 124
XVII.13 HOW TO REPORT SUSPECTED OR DISCLOSED PHYSICAL ABUSE,
NEGLECT OR EXPLOITATION 125
XVII.14 CHILD PROTECTION ASSESSMENT 125
XVII.15 THE INVESTIGATION 127
XVII.16 EVIDENCE 127
XVII.17 THE INTERVIEW 127
XVII.18 CONCLUSION 127
XVII.19 RIGHT TO KNOW AND THE TEAM CONCEPT 128
XVII.20 ABUSE OR NEGLECT COMMITTED BY AGENCY PERSONNEL 128
XVIII DEATH REPORTING 128
S26 GROUP LIVING SERVICES: RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAM 130
S26.1 GROUP LIVING VS TREATMENT SERVICES 130
S26.1.1 ACCESS TO SERVICES: GROUP LIVING SERVICES 130
S26.1.2 ADMISSIONS 130
S26.2 FAMILY INVOLVEMENT 131
S26.3 GROUP LIVING ENVIRONMENT 131
S26.3.1 SOCIAL ASPECTS OF CARE 131
S26.4 PRIVACY PROTECTIONS IN THE GROUP ENVIRONMENT 136
S26.5 PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 136
S26.5.1 MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS / FOLLOW-UP CARE 136
S26.5.2 DENTAL ASSESSMENTS 136
S26.5.3 FAMILY HEALTH HISTORIES 136
S26.5.4 SPECIALIZED HEALTH NEEDS 136
S26.5.5 HEALTH RECORDS 136
S26.6 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS 136
S26.6.1 SERVICE DELIVERY TEAM SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS 137
S26.6.2 CCW SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS 137
S26.6.3 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS FOR PERSONS CLASSIFIED AS DD OR MR 137
S26.7 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAMS PROVIDING
ALCOHOL AND DRUG SERVICES 137
S26.8 PLACEMENT REVIEW 137
S26.9 HUMAN RESOURCES IN GROUP LIVING 137
S26.9.1 QUALIFICATIONS FOR DIRECT CARE WORKERS 137
S26.9.2 STAFF TO CHILD RATIOS & EMERGENCY RELIEF 138
S26.9.3 TWENTY-FOUR HOUR SUPERVISION 138
S26.9.4 CASELOADS FOR COUNSELORS/CLINICIANS 138
S26.9.5 ADDITIONAL TRAINING FOR DD/MR CLIENTS 138
S26.9.6 ON-CALL STAFF 138
S26.10 HUMAN RESOURCES QUALIFICATIONS 139
S26.10.1 SERVICE PLANNING/PROGRAM DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS 139
S26.10.2 PHYSICIAN: ON-CALL 139
S26.10.3 CCW QUALIFICATIONS 139
S26.10.4 DENTISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, NURSES, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS 139
S26.11 RECREATION PROGRAM 140
S26.11.3 GYMNASIUM 141
S26.11.4 CERAMIC AND POTTERY ROOM 141
1
Masonic Home for Children: Procedures Manual
Revised: February 2, 2009
The Masonic Home for Children
Procedures Manual
The Masonic Home for Children has a stated purpose of assisting families in need by providing a safe, home-like setting for children until they are reunited or achieve independence.
This manual is promulgated as a directive, intended to provide both direction and guidance for employees, and volunteers of this Agency. Contained within this manual are many instructions addressing how we, as an agency, go about the day-to-day delivery of services. It is not designed, however, to replace good communication between employees or volunteers and their supervisor or to replace quality leadership. Whenever a doubt exists between what is written herein and what you, as a representative of the Agency, believe should be done under certain conditions or circumstances, it is always best to clarify with your supervisors before proceeding. Additionally, whenever a particular question arises that cannot be answered by reading this manual, the individual should seek direction from his or her supervisor.
As with many of the directives of this Agency, we have endeavored to keep the majority of the decision-making at the lowest functional level, i.e. the Child care worker, the Supervisor/Clinician, the Recreation Assistant, etc. Indecisiveness, however, should not occur. A complete familiarity of this manual, your policy manual, your Letter of Employment, your Job Description and state regulations and standards will enable all personnel to perform any task or duty required or expected of them.
This manual is arranged in several sections, each independent and capable of standing alone. The first section addresses matters that relate to all employees and volunteers working with the Agency regardless of the specific program. Other sections may be related to a specific program or division of the Agency and have little or no bearing on the other programs. As we are all members of the same organization with the same mission and purpose, however, it would be advantageous for all employees, volunteers and Board Members to read and obtain a working familiarity with the entire directive.
Recommendations for changes to this manual should be brought to the attention of the Administrator at any time. This manual, along with all other Agency directives, publications, and programs, including all Client Rights, are re-evaluated, revised and up-dated annually, or more frequently if appropriate.