Alabama Administrative Code › Title 305 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS › LAW ENFORCEMENT PLANNING DIVISION › Chapter 305-4-4 - ADECA Domestic Violence Center Procedures › Section 305-4-4-.07 - Administration and Operations

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
The domestic violence center shall develop and implement
				  written policies and procedures that ensure compliance with all provisions of
				  this rule chapter. The domestic violence center shall provide a copy to all
				  employees and volunteers upon their beginning date of employment or service,
				  and, thereafter, as revised. Employees and volunteers must indicate in writing
				  that they have read and understand the policies and procedures, which must be
				  documented in their personnel file. At a minimum, the operating policies and
				  procedures shall include the following:
(1) Admission. The domestic violence center
				shall identify who is eligible for services and how those services are
				accessed. Services shall not be denied to any person on the grounds of race,
				religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation,
				handicap, or limited English proficiency as outlined in 45 CFR Parts 80, 83,
				84, and 90. Prospective clients must be informed of the admission criteria and,
				if ineligible, the domestic violence center must provide referrals to other
				organizations that can provide assistance.
(2) Board of Directors. The domestic violence
				center shall establish and maintain a board of directors, which shall be
				composed of at least three citizens who reside within the center's service
				area, one of whom must be an employee of a local, municipal, or county law
				enforcement agency whose jurisdiction includes some or all of the center's
				service area as required in Section
				30-6-6.
				The board of directors should racially and ethnically reflect, to the extent
				possible, the clients served by the domestic violence center. The board of
				directors shall serve as the governing body responsible for fiscal oversight
				and strategic leadership specific to the operation of the center. The domestic
				violence center shall develop by-laws, which must include membership selection
				process, term limits, code of conduct, conflict of interest, duties and
				responsibilities, and orientation and training requirements for the board of
				directors and any advisory boards.
(3) Confidentiality. The domestic violence
				center shall establish and implement policies and procedures for maintaining
				safety, confidentiality, and privacy of persons receiving services.
(a) The domestic violence center shall
				safeguard information identifying domestic violence emergency shelters and
				center clients as provided in
Code of Ala. 1975
,
				§
										30-6-8.
				Confidential information may be in hardcopy or electronic format and may
				include name, address, phone number, case management plan and notes, safety
				plan, service plan, services provided, referrals, and other related
				information. Access to any client identifying information shall be limited to
				staff members who have a legitimate interest in the case and have a need to
				know to carry out their job duties.
(b) The Director shall have access to
				shelters and center records to the extent necessary to perform the oversight
				function. Domestic violence centers may not provide individual client records
				to stakeholders, partner agencies, and other entities that have an interest in
				domestic violence center operations, except as expressly authorized. Client
				communications that satisfy the criteria for a privileged communication under
Code of Ala. 1975
, §
										30-6-8,
				may be disclosed only as provided in that statute.
(c) The domestic violence center shall ensure
				all center employees and volunteers are aware of and understand their
				obligation to comply with
Code of Ala. 1975
, §
										30-6-8,
				which prohibits the disclosure of shelter location and any information
				regarding center clients without their express written, time-limited consent,
				except in limited circumstances described in the statute.