Wyo. Code R. 015-0012-8
Victim Services
Chapter 8: Evaluation of Comm. Domestic Violence & Sexual assault Strategic Plans
Effective Date: 06/29/2004 to 10/27/2004
Rule Type: Expired Emergency Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 015.0012.8.06292004
AND SEXUAL ASSAULT STRATEGIC PLANS
(a) Wyo. Stat. § 1-40-118 and § 9-1-638(a)(iii) require the Division of Victims Services to establish eligibility requirements and review and evaluate all programs receiving appropriated funds.
(a) These rules set forth considerations of the Division of Victim Services in evaluating strategic plans of community domestic violence and sexual assault shelter service providers prior to contracting for services. Because the award of funding from the sources in subsection (b) of this section is competitive, applicants are evaluated on both compliance with these rules in their strategic plan proposals and the merit of their proposals.
(b) These rules set forth requirements for community domestic violence and sexual assault service providers to be able to contract with the Division of Victim Services for funds from:
(a) “Advocacy” means assistance to victims by volunteers or paid staff who have successfully completed the 40-hour State approved training agenda and who are qualified by the individual programs. Assistance can be provided during an immediate crisis or on a follow-up basis. Necessary skills of an advocate shall include crisis intervention, listening, problem solving, and knowledge of alternatives available in the community. Personal qualities such as non-judgmental attitudes and maturity are also necessary.
(b) “Crisis and Referral Services” means short-term, immediate assistance and advocacy given by phone or in person to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by volunteer or paid staff.
(c) 'Director' means the Director of the Division of Victim Services.
(d) 'Division' means the Division of Victim Services.
(e) 'Emergency Shelter' means safety provided to victims in facilities other than state supported Safe houses.
(f) 'Domestic Violence' means physical abuse, threats of physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual assault, or acts which unreasonably restrain personal liberty.
(g) 'Governing Body' means a community board, a public agency, a tribal agency, or the board of directors of a private nonprofit corporation.
(h) 'Inservice Training Programs' means the practice of providing basic and advanced domestic violence and sexual assault related instruction to volunteers, boards of directors, and paid staff. The instruction is provided by program staff or by consultants.
(i) 'Practicum' means a supervised activity meant to develop or enhance the trainee's ability to provide direct services.
(j) 'Prevention and Education' means information about domestic violence and sexual assault provided to the community or specific audiences within the community.
(k) 'Program' means a nonprofit organization consisting of board, staff, and volunteers which provides: 1) Safe house services and/or crisis and referral services and 2) prevention education to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and to the community, funded in whole or part by the State of Wyoming.
(l) 'Public Office' means a facility known to the public in which communities can obtain domestic violence and sexual assault services.
(m) 'Safe house' means the physical structure providing shelter. Shelter means a place of temporary refuge, offered on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) day per week basis to victims of domestic violence or sexual assault and their children.
(n) 'Sexual Assault' means acts as defined in Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-1-301, 6-2-301 through 6-2-304, and 6-4-402.
(o) 'Staff' means individuals who are hired to provide services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and who are required to attend 40 hours training in domestic violence and sexual assault.
(p) 'Support Groups' means individuals who meet on a regular basis to share problem-solving techniques, information, and to express concern in a non-judgmental atmosphere. These groups provide peer education, not therapy, unless the program has qualified staff.
(q) 'Transportation' means providing the means for victims to obtain shelter in a Safe house or other domestic violence and sexual assault services.
(r) 'Victim' means a person who has been subjected to acts of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.
(a) The governing body shall provide leadership and stability for the program. It shall have the responsibility for assuring that high standards of operation are maintained and that the program is committed to the philosophical ideals of its mission statement. If the governing body is a nonprofit corporation, it shall maintain policies and procedures in accordance with the Wyoming Nonprofit Corporation Act, Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 17-19-101 et. seq..
(b) To the extent possible, the composition of the governing body shall be representative of a wide range of community interest groups and the geographical area.
(c) The governing body shall guard against the development of a conflict of interest between an individual governing body member and the Program. A process of dealing with such conflicts shall be provided in the bylaws or governing body policy.
(d) The governing body shall establish committees or other procedures to ensure the Program is adequately funded, housed, staffed, and equipped to accomplish its goals and to comply with Wyoming state statutes and the applicable Office of the Attorney General, Division of Victim's Services Rules.
(e) The governing body shall have a funding policy, which includes monitoring and approval of allocations of funds.
(a) The Program shall be a duly incorporated non-profit organization in accordance with Wyoming law, or a governmental or tribal agency, in order to be eligible to contract for state or federal funds to provide domestic violence and sexual assault services.
(b) The Program shall have clearly written criteria for determining if an individual is eligible for services.
(c) The Program shall define its mission and develop a plan, which defines goals and measurable objectives for provision of service.
(i) The Program and the governing body shall develop a mission statement and program philosophy which:
(A) includes a description of programs and services;
(B) is adopted by the governing body and reviewed annually; and
(C) incorporates cooperation between other relevant community agencies.
(ii) The Program shall develop goals and measurable objectives which:
(A) include program, staff, and fund development;
(B) describes how the program will identify and serve underserved populations;
(C) includes activities to accomplish objectives;
(D) describes desired outcomes;
(E) includes timelines for accomplishment;
(F) addresses how each goal will be funded;
(G) includes how funding match requirements are met; and
(H) provides for an annual internal review and update of the stated goals and objectives.
(iii) The Program should solicit input from the governing body, staff, clients, and volunteers as part of its planning process.
(d) The Program shall have an operating budget approved and reviewed by the governing body and submitted as part of the strategic plan.
(i) The budget shall categorize revenues and expenses for each grant project by the expense categories of the approved budget.
(j) The Program shall have a systematic internal evaluation procedure to measure program effectiveness.
(k) The Program and the governing body shall insure program accessibility by the completion of an accessibility assessment for both the public office and the shelter and implement a plan to overcome any accessibility challenges found. The plan must be solution focused, time limited and reviewed by the program and the governing body annually.
(g) Appropriate safeguards should be utilized to protect confidential administrative records.
(h) The governing body shall establish operational and personnel policies and procedures to promote effective program administration.
(i) Program policy development should include opportunity for input from program staff and volunteers.
(ii) The Program should establish job descriptions for all positions including board members, volunteers, and staff. The Program should formulate salary schedules for each position that are equitable and competitive with other agencies in its community.
(i) Written personnel policies shall be developed, adopted, and maintained by the program. These policies shall be reviewed and approved by the governing body and dated to indicate each date of review. Personnel policies shall be reviewed annually. These policies shall minimally include:
(i) Standards for the ethical behavior of its employees. These standards shall minimally address:
(A) Confidentiality of information provided by the person being served or information acquired from other sources before, during and after the course of the professional relationship;
(B) Avoidance of conflicts of interest;
(C) Avoidance of personal relationships with persons served that exploit professional trust or that could impair the advocate's objectivity and professional judgment;
(D) Expected professional behavior;
(E) Substance abuse;
(F) Respect for persons served including their right to self-determination;
(A) Avoidance of behaviors that communicate victim blame, suspicion regarding victims account of the crime, condemnation for past behavior, or other judgmental sentiments;
(B) Use of violence;
(C) Salary information;
(D) Work performance evaluations; (E) Hours of work, and holidays; (F) Vacation and sick leave; (G) Leaves of absence such as medical, bereavement, jury duty, emergency or maternity leave; (H) Employment benefits; (I) Orientation and staff development; (J) Termination of employment; (K) Standards of performance and conduct, sexual harassment, work rules, tardiness, absenteeism, discipline, and problem solving procedures shall be addressed; (L) Exempt and non-exempt staff; (M) Pre-employment background checks; (N) Nepotism; and (O) Staff safety.
(j) The Program shall have written policies designed to assure the confidentiality of personnel records and specify who has access to various types of personnel information.
(k) The Program shall preserve the dignity and personal safety of those served. The Program shall have written policies prohibiting physical, verbal, emotional, psychological and substance abuse.
Section 6. Staff Development.
(a) The Program shall have a plan for professional growth and development within the availability of the Program for all personnel, including, but not limited to:
(i) Orientation procedure; (ii) In-service training and education programs; (iii) Availability of professional reference materials addressing the latest research concerning the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault;
(iv) Supporting participation in local, state, and national training; and (v) Involvement in local, state, and national domestic violence and sexual assault related organizations.
(b) The program shall develop Volunteer Program Standards.
(i) The program shall have written policies and procedures addressing each of the following Volunteer Program Standards:
(A) Recruitment; (B) Selection and screening; (C) Minimum training requirements (40 hour volunteer training); (D) Ongoing training requirements (10 hours of ongoing training per year); (E) Confidentiality; (F) Advocate safety (G) Work rules and use of violence; (H) Grievance procedures; and (I) Dismissal.
(c) A written job description for each volunteer position should be developed. Volunteer job descriptions should be developed utilizing the same format as those for staff.
(d) Training for volunteers not providing counseling advocacy services should be determined by the volunteer's responsibilities, the amount of time contributed by the volunteer and administrative considerations related to the availability of training.
Section 7. Internal Fiscal Controls.
(a) The Program shall have written financial policies governing internal control procedures in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices to ensure adequate financial checks and balances.
(b) The financial policies shall include controls for handling income and disbursements.
(c) The financial policies shall include controls for separation of financial duties.
(a) The Program shall promote an awareness in the community by encouraging understanding, awareness, cooperation, and assistance from other agencies as well as from civic, religious, fraternal, business, law enforcement, social service, educational, and medical groups in the community on a regular basis.
(b) Relationships shall be promoted with press, radio, and television. Services available shall be publicized in the community on a regular basis.
(c) In all facets of its operation, including public education materials, the Program shall always enhance the dignity, respect, and self-esteem of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
(d) The Program shall strive to be the primary resource in the community to provide information regarding domestic violence and sexual assault including being a resource for existing and proposed legislation and practices dealing with the rights of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
(a) Programs may conduct presentations to a wide variety of community programs with a specific emphasis on prevention education efforts in the schools. These presentations may utilize films, speakers, panel discussions, and written materials related to causes, current theory, and preventative methods for domestic violence and sexual assault.
(b) Programs should provide legal advocacy assistance to victims, at their request, in legal matters relevant to their situation. This includes assisting victims in obtaining civil protection orders, and accompanying the victim to sessions with law enforcement, attorneys, court proceedings, etc. Advocates should have knowledge of all domestic violence and sexual assault statutes. Such statutes will include but are not limited to: Assault and Battery, Aggravated Assault and Battery, Domestic Violence Protection Act, Sexual Assault and Incest, Indecent Liberties, Adult Protective Services Act, Victim Bill of Rights, Confidential Communications Act, and Stalking.
(c) Programs should provide medical advocacy assistance to victims, at their request, in medical matters relevant to their situation. This includes accompanying the victim to emergency room examinations relating to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Such assistance shall also include knowledge of the State of Wyoming Biological Evidence Collection Kit and procedures mandated for its use and knowledge of resources available through the Division of Victim Services.
(c) Programs should provide assistances to victims, at their request, in social services matters relevant to their situation. This includes accompanying the victim when applying for public assistance and social services. Such assistance should include a general knowledge of eligibility requirements and the services offered in the agency. Assistance with the following may also be provided: protective relocation; locating housing; seeking employment; transportation to medical, legal, or social service appointments; child care; and continuing peer support.
(a) Programs shall provide individual support and may offer support groups to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault on a regular basis. Groups shall be based on the qualifications of staff and volunteers.
(b) Curricula and guidelines should be identified for each type of group.
(c) Group facilitators should demonstrate prior training in order to facilitate these groups.
(a) Shelter Programs shall provide advocacy for child residents as needed.
(b) All Programs shall have policies regarding childcare, if such is provided.
(c) Programs are encouraged to participate in the local Child Protection Team.
(d) Programs are encouraged to advocate for safety of both the non-offending custodial parent/victim and child.
(e) Programs should collaborate with other agencies to facilitate better communication and problem solving regarding the children receiving services from the program. These collaborative partnerships to provide children's services should be parent and child focused and may include, but are not limited, to the following agencies/services: Department of Family Services; Headstart; parenting classes; non-offending parent family counseling; medical, emotional, developmental evaluations; adolescent substance abuse treatment; and play therapy.
(a) Batterer's Intervention Programs are not the primary resource to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault programs. Programs should refrain from attempting to provide these services where possible. If services must be provided within the same agency, they shall be in a separate location and conducted by staff or advocates who do not have contact with the victim (excluding contact in the context of safety checks or brief contact regarding the intervention plan of the victim's partner.) The safety and confidentiality of victims must be maintained at all times.