481—57.4 (135C) Special categories. Special variations and considerations may be granted a residential care facility which is operated for people who have special problems such as retardation, physical disabilities, have a physical or mental disability or a condition in common which can best be treated in a specialized environment under an approved program of care commensurate with the needs of the residents of the facility. Criteria for these specialized programs shall be established by the department based on the résumé of programs and services furnished by the facility and the numbers and qualifications of the administrator and staff providing these services in the facility.
	 57.4(1) Such a facility shall be provided with the kind of equipment, numbers of qualified staff, and operated in such fashion as to meet the requirements of the department.
	 57.4(2) On approval of the department, the state fire marshal, the department of social services, or other appropriate agencies, other variations from the established rules and regulations and standards for a licensed health care facility of that category may be made as is necessary to successfully implement the specialized program, providing that it does not endanger the health, safety, or welfare of any resident and that alternate means to effect the same degree of protection shall be used when such variances are permitted.