1. (a) Programs must have written volunteer advocate policies that include:

   1. (1) Application process with references and interview process;
   2. (2) Right of program to remove volunteer before or after initial training is completed and reasons to remove;
   3. (3) Volunteer confidentiality statement;
   4. (4) Ethical standards;
   5. (5) Continuing education requirements;
   6. (6) Volunteer grievance procedure; and
   7. (7) Volunteer job descriptions.

2. (b) Hotline Volunteer Advocates must receive 30 hours of training within a three month period. Hours must be delivered in either:

   1. (1) All classroom hours ("CH"); or

   2. (2) A combination of hours ("COM"):

      1. (A) classroom (minimum of 18 hours); and
      2. (B) self-study and on-the-job training (minimum of 12 hours to be divided at the discretion of the Executive Director). The content of training must be taken from the 40 hours listed below and at the discretion of the Direct Services Coordinator.

3. (c) Forty hours of training for Direct Services Volunteer Advocates must be delivered within a three month period. Forty hours of training must be delivered in either:

   1. (1) All classroom hours ("CH"); or

   2. (2) A combination ("COM") of:

      1. (A) classroom (minimum of 28 hours);
      2. (B) self-study (maximum of four hours); and
      3. (C) on-the-job training hours (maximum of eight hours).

4. (d) Training must include the following:

   1. (1) Orientation. The orientation can be delivered in either "CH" or "COM." If CH, a minimum of two hours must be delivered. If COM, a minimum of one hour must be classroom and a maximum of one hour must be on-the-job. Self-study hours are not allowed. Orientation to the program must include:

      1. (A) Volunteer job description;
      2. (B) Role of volunteer in the program;
      3. (C) Structure and history of the program; and
      4. (D) Historical perspectives of rape.

   2. (2) Definitions/Facts. Definition/Facts, for not less than two hours in the classroom, must include the following topics:

      1. (A) Myths vs. facts;
      2. (B) Socialization issues;
      3. (C) Confidentiality;
      4. (D) Values clarification;
      5. (E) Ethics; and
      6. (F) Definition of sexual assault.

   3. (3) Orientation to Sexual Assault Issues. The orientation to sexual assault issues can be delivered in either "CH" or "COM." If CH, a minimum of five hours must be delivered. If COM, a minimum of three classroom and a maximum of two hours self-study. Orientation to sexual assault issues must include:

      1. (A) Survivor Profile--Child, Teen, and Adult;
      2. (B) Offender Profile--Adult offender/adult victim, adult offender/child victim, and teen offender/adult or child victim.

   4. (4) Advocacy. Advocacy instruction may be delivered in either "CH" or "COM." If CH, a minimum of four hours must be delivered. If COM, a minimum of two classroom hours and a maximum of two self-study hours. On-the-job hours are not allowed. Advocacy must include:

      1. (A) Rape Trauma Syndrome;
      2. (B) Identifying potential suicides; and
      3. (C) Working with significant others.

   5. (5) Crisis intervention. Crisis intervention instruction must be delivered through a minimum of four classroom hours. "COM" hours are not allowed. Crisis intervention instruction must include:

      1. (A) Orientation to a crisis;
      2. (B) Communication skills/active listening skills;
      3. (C) Telephone counseling skills;
      4. (D) Problem solving skills; and
      5. (E) Appropriate and inappropriate responses.
   6. (6) Types of Sexual Assault and Types of Special Populations. Types of Sexual Assault and Types of Special Populations instruction may be delivered in either "CH" or "COM." If CH, a minimum of five hours. If COM, a minimum of four classroom hours and a maximum of one self-study hour. On-the-job hours are not allowed.

   7. (7) Medical. Medical information may be delivered in either "CH" or "COM." If CH, a minimum of three hours. If COM, a minimum of two classroom hours and a maximum of one on-the-job hour. Self-study hours are not allowed. Medical information must include:

      1. (A) Hospital tour;
      2. (B) Local program procedures;
      3. (C) Emergency room protocol;
      4. (D) Pregnancy;
      5. (E) Sexually transmitted diseases;
      6. (F) Date rape drugs;
      7. (G) Birth control;
      8. (H) Abortion;
      9. (I) Basic anatomy;
      10. (J) Medical exam and collection of forensic evidence;
      11. (K) Medical resources; and
      12. (L) Role of a sexual assault nurse examiner (when applicable).

   8. (8) Criminal Justice. Criminal justice information may be delivered in either "CH" or "COM." If CH, a minimum of five hours divided between the topics listed below. If COM, a minimum of three classroom hours, a maximum of one hour for self-study (law enforcement), and a maximum of one hour for on-the-job. Criminal justice information must include:

      1. (A) Law enforcement procedures;
      2. (B) Applicable laws;
      3. (C) Victims' Bill of Rights;
      4. (D) Impact statements;
      5. (E) Overview of the criminal justice system;
      6. (F) Legal resources and remedies; and
      7. (G) Overview of Crime Victims' Compensation.

   9. (9) Volunteer Information. Volunteer information may be delivered in either "CH" or "COM." If CH, a minimum of three classroom hours. If COM, a minimum of two classroom hours and a maximum of one self-study hour. Volunteer information must include:

      1. (A) Secondary victimization;
      2. (B) Stress and burnout;
      3. (C) Self protection;
      4. (D) Survivor's/victim's spirituality;
      5. (E) Community resources for the volunteer;
      6. (F) Responsibility and limitations;
      7. (G) Local community attitudes; and
      8. (H) Client's needs vs. own needs.

   10. (10) Reporting and Documentation. Reporting and Documentation information may be delivered in either "CH" or "COM." If CH, a minimum of two classroom hours. If COM, a minimum of one classroom hour and a maximum of one self-study hour. Reporting and Documentation must include:

       1. (A) Program forms;
       2. (B) Program procedures;
       3. (C) Reporting child/elder abuse;
       4. (D) Use of program equipment;
       5. (E) Program specific information for survivors; and
       6. (F) Resources for sexual assault survivors.

   11. (11) Role-playing. Role-playing instruction may be delivered throughout the training for a minimum of four classroom hours. At least two role-plays must be hotline situations, with one being a crank caller. "COM" is not allowed. Role-playing instruction must include at least one case example of each type of sexual assault listed below, and trainees must participate in each of the case examples:

       1. (A) Recent assault;
       2. (B) Past sexual assault on an adult or child;
       3. (C) Adult sexually assaulted as a child;
       4. (D) Crank call;
       5. (E) Stranger assault;
       6. (F) Acquaintance assault; and
       7. (G) Family member/friend of survivor.
   12. (12) Local Program Specific Issues. Issues, special problems, and/or topics unique to your local program's established service area must be delivered through a minimum of one classroom hour. "COM" is not allowed.

Source Note:The provisions of this §62.12 adopted to be effective July 8, 1998, 23 TexReg 6947.