Ala. Admin. Code r. 305-4-4-.04

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 305-4-4-.04 - Services

In accordance with, and in addition to the minimum services set forth in Code of Ala. 1975, § 30-6-6, to be eligible for certification a domestic violence center shall provide the minimum core services as set forth below. Domestic violence centers may provide additional services beyond the minimum requirements.

(1) Information and Referral. Education and recommendations on services to those persons seeking assistance. The domestic violence center shall utilize a comprehensive and current database of information and referral resources, which shall be made available for use by all direct service staff.

(2) Counseling. Supportive activities with victims of domestic violence.

(a) Counseling services shall incorporate supportive advocacy services such as crisis intervention, safety planning, assessment of risk, and intervening with the various social and legal agencies on behalf of the center client, including legal advocacy, medical advocacy, housing advocacy, interpretation services, and additional services as needed.

(b) Counseling services may be based on the peer-counseling model. Individuals who may need or want mental health counseling services may be served through referral to an appropriate mental health/counseling practitioner or agency.

(3) Case Management. A collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation, and advocacy for options and services to meet a center client's needs. The domestic violence center shall develop procedures and maintain documentation for case management meetings. Case management meetings shall be held regularly for the purposes of ensuring effective communication among staff about the progress of clients toward meeting their goals and objectives, as well as addressing individual client issues.

(a) The domestic violence center shall provide one-on-one case management to clients who reside in shelter for 72 hours or more. This provision does not preclude domestic violence centers from providing case management to residents housed less than 72 hours or to non-resident clients. Signed documentation will be placed in the file if the client opts out of case management services.

(b) Individual case records shall be maintained, shall be current, and shall include at a minimum:

1. Identification data including name, age, ethnicity, and other relevant information for the client and any dependents; and

2. A case management plan that includes safety planning and service referrals.

(c) In order to ensure the safety of clients and their dependents the domestic violence center shall protect the confidentiality and privacy of persons receiving services. Center staff shall not disclose any personally identifying information collected in connection with services or reveal individual client information without the informed, written, time-limited consent of the client, except in limited circumstances described in Code of Ala. 1975, § 30-6-8.

(4) Emergency Shelter. Safe housing provided for adult victims of domestic violence and their dependents. The domestic violence center shall provide temporary emergency shelter to victims and their dependents for more than 24 hours. Shelters shall be staffed by advocates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.

(5) Hotline Services. A telephone operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information, and referral to victims of domestic violence or on behalf of a victim.

(a) The domestic violence center shall provide hotline services, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week staffed by advocates who have successfully completed training for privileged communications. The hotline telephone shall have a TDD/telephone/video relay service.

(b) The use of commercial telephone answering services or automated voice mail to cover the hotline are not permitted, except for the purpose of directing calls to an advocate.

(6) Child Assessment. Evaluation of the basic needs of children served by the center and the referral of children to services if needed.

(a) Each child in emergency shelter for 72 hours or more shall be assessed for basic needs and given service recommendations by an advocate with experience working with children. This provision does not preclude domestic violence centers from providing an assessment of children housed less than 72 hours.

(b) Any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused or neglected shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the Department of Human Resources as provided for in Code of Ala. 1975, §2 6-14-3.

(7) Professional Training. Education on the dynamics of domestic violence provided to law enforcement personnel, other professionals, and paraprofessionals who have contact, as part of their work, with victims of domestic violence.

(8) Community Education. The efforts, activities, and presentations performed to increase public awareness about domestic violence and the availability of services for victims of domestic violence.

(a) The domestic violence center shall provide community education to promote awareness of the incidence, causes, and prevention strategies of domestic violence. Community education shall be presented both face-to-face and through the utilization of various media.

(b) Center employees, when able, should participate in community task forces, interagency councils, and other organizational groups whose efforts are intended to improve services for victims of domestic violence.

(9) Exempted Services. The Director may exempt the 24-hour hotline, professional training, and community education requirement for centers where this requirement is already being met by another certified center in the same service area, pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, § 30-6-6.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 305-4-4-.04

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 05, February 28, 2018, eff. 3/19/2018.

Author: Chris Murphy

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 30-6-3, 30-6-6, 30-6-10.