New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 18 - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES › Chapter II - Regulations of the Department of Social Services › Subchapter C - Social Services › Article 5 - Adult and Family Services › Part 462 - Nonresidential Services For Victims Of Domestic Violence › Section 462.5 - Staffing requirements

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
Each nonresidential program for victims of domestic
			   violence operated am by a social services district or by a not-for-profit
			   organization pursuant to a purchase of services contract with a social services
			   district must comply with the following staffing requirements:
(a)
General requirements.
(1) The term
staff persons,
as used in this Part, means the compensated employees and the volunteers of a
			 program.
(2) Prior to assuming any
			 responsibilities as a staff person of such program, each staff person must be
			 provided with a copy of the person's job description and must receive an
			 orientation to the services provided by the program which includes a discussion
			 of confidentiality issues, child abuse reporting requirements, program policies
			 and procedures, and job responsibilities.
(3) A written training plan must be developed
			 for those staff positions involved in the direct provision of core services.
(i) This plan must include a description of
			 the content of the orientation as described in this subdivision and address how
			 staff will receive on-going training.
(ii) Effective April 20, 2020, the plan must
			 include training in adverse childhood experiences, also known as
			 ACEs.
(iii) The plan may include
			 and need not be limited to training in the following topics:
(a) dynamics of domestic violence, including
			 an understanding of the ongoing patterned use of intimidation, coercion, and
			 violence to establish and maintain dominance over an intimate partner; and an
			 understanding of coercive control tactics which can include physical,
			 psychological, sexual economic and/or emotional abuse;
(b) child abuse reporting requirements,
			 including identification and prevention of child abuse and maltreatment, how to
			 make a report to the state central register, reporting protocols, and what
			 information can be provided during investigations;
(c) statutes and regulations pertaining to
			 non-residential programs for victims of domestic violence;
(d) confidentiality issues which include the
			 protection of personally identifying information of victims of domestic
			 violence; protection of the physical addresses of residential programs for
			 victims of domestic violence; protection of the identity of victims of domestic
			 violence;
(e) legal remedies
			 including provising an understanding of the legal rights and options available
			 to victims of domestic violence. Legal remedies do not mean providing legal
			 advice and/or representation by someone other than an attorney;
(f) community resources and services,
			 including community and/or government resources that can help victims of
			 domestic violence meet their basic needs. Basic needs include and are not
			 limited to: food, health, and housing. Services may include and are not limited
			 to: transportation, employment, housing, health care, mental health care,
			 alcohol/substance abuse, and social services;
(g) organizational policy which includes:
			 reviewing the organization's policies/personnel manual, time and attendance,
			 job descriptions, safety and security, confidentiality, data systems, grievance
			 protocols, etc.;
(h) substance use,
			 including and not limited to, understanding the needs of individuals
			 struggeling with substance use; how and when to seek emergency medical services
			 for overdoses; and information regarding options available for residents who
			 request information and/or referral for substance abuse treatment;
(i) mental health, including and not limited
			 to, an understanding of the impact of trauma to the health of domestic violence
			 victims and their children; understanding the needs of individuals with
			 developmental disabilities and/or mental health conditions; how to assist
			 residents who request professional mental health services with access to those
			 services;
(j) diversity and
			 inclusion, which includes: understanding how culture, ethnicity, religion,
			 sexuality and/or gender identity/expression can influence/impact domestic
			 violence victims; how to provide services to victims in a respectful manner as
			 to increase the quality of services and provide better outcomes.
(4) All compensated
			 employees or volunteers providing direct provision of core services must have
			 an individualized development plan that identifies trainings completed and
			 future training topics the individual may need to increase their knowledge
			 and/or skills needed to carry out their duties. The agency may exempt any
			 person from participating in a particular topic upon demonstration of
			 substantially equivalent knowledge or experience to that topic.
(5) The program must maintain verification of
			 completion of training requirements and provide such verification to the upon
			 request.