La. Admin. Code tit. 67 § III-6917

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section III-6917 - DCFS Contract Requirements

A. Guiding Principles. The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) requires that all family violence programs meet basic legal and contractual obligations and specify these obligations in the contract. These standards are not inclusive of all the requirements under the contract. The contract will contain a mandatory provision for compliance with DCFS quality assurance standards (see R.S. 46:2122, program creation; R.S. 46:2124, community shelters, funding, services; R.S. 46:2126, programs for victims of family violence, creation; and R.S. 46:2128, eligibility requirements for local family violence programs).

B. Critical Minimum Standards

1. Standard 2.1. The legal structure of the program must permit it to enter into a contract with the state and to abide by federal statutes and regulations. The program must agree to abide by the requirements of the following as applicable to employees, volunteers, and survivors: title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Equal Opportunity Act of 1972; Federal Executive Order 11246; the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974; title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968; title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Act of 1972; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. These regulations require that the program act as an equal opportunity employer. The program must not discriminate against anyone seeking employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, disability, national origin, religion, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, abuse status (i.e. battered or formerly battered), or parenthood. Program employees must not discriminate in the provision of services or use of volunteers on the basis of any status described above. No program can discriminate or retaliate against any employee who exercises their rights under any federal or state anti-discrimination law.

2. Standard 2.2. The program must maintain current commercial liability insurance coverage on all program owned vehicles. Staff members and volunteers who transport survivors and their families in their personal vehicles must also maintain appropriate liability insurance coverage.

C. Minimum Standards

1. Standard 2.3. The program must acknowledge DCFS as a funding agent on its program stationary and written material and when providing information about the program.

2. Standard 2.4. The program must inform designated representatives of DCFS prior to initiating any substantial changes to the services that the program provides or to any of the programs physical structures.

3. Standard 2.5. The program must be registered with the Secretary of State and show compliance with that agencies annual reporting requirements.

4. Standard 2.6. The program must not use DCFS funds as direct payment to survivors or dependents.

5. Standard 2.7. The program must not impose income eligibility standards on individuals seeking assistance.

6. Standard 2.8. The program must not accept reimbursement from survivors of domestic violence. All advertising must state that services to survivors and their children are free and confidential.

7. Standard 2.9. Services provided to survivors must include, but are not limited to, emergency shelter or referrals, 24-hour hotline, supportive services, and crisis, peer, educational, and domestic violence counseling.

8. Standard 2.10. The program must secure and maintain insurance that covers both general and professional liability.

9. Standard 2.11. The program must submit accurate and timely reports and budget revisions as required by its contract with DCFS.

10. Standard 2.12. The program must retain all books, records, and other documents relevant to its contract with DCFS and funds expended thereunder for at least four years after its receipt of final payment or for three calendar years after audit issues or litigation have been resolved.

11. Standard 2.13. The service provider must obtain an annual audit of its program within 6 months of ending its fiscal year and submit a copy of the audit to DCFS within 30 calendar days of the audit issuance.

12. Standard 2.14. The program must have a written policy that prohibits it from entering into any agreement involving the payment of public funds to:

a. any member of the governing body or staff member and any members of their immediate family, anyone living in the household as a family member, or to any entity in which the foregoing have any direct or indirect financial interest; or

b. in which any of the foregoing serve as an officer or employee unless the services or goods are provided at a competitive cost or under terms favorable to the program. The program must maintain written records of any and all financial transactions in which a member of the board, staff members, or their immediate family is involved.

13. Standard 2.15. The program must identify the area and population it serves in its brochures.

14. Standard 2.16. The program must maintain accurate statistical data relevant to its services.

La. Admin. Code tit. 67, § III-6917

Promulgated by the Department of Children and Family Services, Economic Stability Section, LR 4427 (1/1/2018).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 46:2121-2128.