Wyo. Code R. 015-0012-10
Effective Date: 10/25/2005 to Current
Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 015.0012.10.10252005
(a) Wyo. Stat. § 1-40-118 and § 9-1-638 require the Division of Victim Services (Division) to establish eligibility requirements and review and evaluate all programs receiving appropriated funds.
(a) These rules set forth components and elements the Division evaluates in the strategic plans of victim service providers serving victims of all crimes. Funding is awarded competitively and applicant's strategic plans are evaluated both on compliance with rule and merit. Providers will be required by contract to adhere to the provisions of approved strategic plans. All providers the Division contracts with will be required to adhere to the rules of Chapter 11 and providers may consider those requirements in developing strategic plans.
(b) These rules set forth components and elements the Division evaluates in the strategic plans submitted by victim service providers serving victims of all crime prior to contracting for funds from the following sources:
Section 3. Definitions. Unless noted in this section, definitions for Chapters 10 and 11 are the same as those listed in Chapter 8 of these rules. The following definitions are unique to Chapters 10 and 11.
(a) "Victim" means a person who has been subjected to any act constituting a crime or offense under Wyoming law.
(b) "Victim Witness Specialist" means a person whose primary employment function is to support and otherwise assist victims or witnesses of all crimes.
(c) "Program" and "victim assistance provider" are synonymous.
(a) Victim assistance service provider programs shall have a mission statement, develop goals and have measurable objectives for the provision of services to victims of all crime.
(b) Programs shall have a governing body. The governing body may be a public agency or a nonprofit corporation. If the governing body is a nonprofit corporation it shall adopt and maintain policies and procedures in accordance with the Wyoming Nonprofit Corporation Act, Wyo. Stat. § 17-19-101 et. seq.
(c) The governing body shall assist the program in the development of its mission statement, goals, objectives, and methods of operation.
(d) The governing body shall establish procedures to ensure the program is adequately funded, housed, staffed, and equipped to accomplish its goals and meet requirements of Chapter 11, Rules for the Operation of Victim Service Programs Serving Victims of all Crimes.
(a) Appropriate safeguards shall be developed to protect confidential personnel records.
(b) The program shall establish and maintain standards of qualifications for all paid staff and volunteer staff. All positions shall have written job descriptions.
(c) Written personnel policies shall be developed, adopted, and maintained in accordance with state and federal requirements. The personnel policies shall include, but are not limited to; the ethical behavior of the staff of the program; orientation and staff development; problem solving procedures; evaluation for performance and conduct; dismissal; sexual harassment; and confidentiality related to crime victim's records.
(d) Utilization of volunteers is recommended for all programs and mandatory for programs to receive VOCA funding. The program shall have separate, specific written policies and procedures addressing each of the following areas pertaining to volunteers:
(v) Program practices.
(a) The program shall submit a formal written budget of expected revenues and expenses. The budget shall categorize revenues and expenses by source. The governing body shall review and approve the budget.
(b) The program shall develop and maintain current written policies and procedures in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices.
(a) The program shall describe its plan to promote awareness in the community by encouraging understanding, cooperation, and assistance with other agencies including civic and community organizations and criminal justice agencies.
(b) The program shall explain the methods by which the availability of services will be publicized in the community.
(c) The program shall explain how it will reach populations with special needs and underserved populations.
(a) The program shall provide a clear statement of its confidentiality policy, including the limits of confidentiality it can assure victims.
(b) The program shall explain the method by which victims will be advised of the confidentiality limits the program can assure.
(a) The program shall describe the geographic area to which services will be available.
(b) The program shall describe available services for victims of crime, the method of service delivery, and how program effectiveness will be evaluated.
(c) The program shall describe how they will serve people with special needs including persons with disabilities.