W. Va. Code R. § 191-2-3

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 191-2-3 - Licensing Standards for Domestic Violence Programs

3.1. Domestic violence program requirements:

3.1.a. A domestic violence program shall have a mission statement that acknowledges the existence of the program for the primary purpose of providing services, comprising both a shelter component and an extension component, to victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking, and their children.

3.1.b. A domestic violence program shall have and enforce a written policy stating that victims and survivors have the right to make their own decisions, to retain the responsibility of their children, and to be free from violent behavior.

3.1.c. A domestic violence program's financial records shall be in compliance with accepted audit standards.

3.1.d. A domestic violence program shall maintain demographic and service records of individuals served.

3.1.e. A domestic violence program shall have and enforce a written policy that preserves the individual's right of confidentiality and complies with all federal and state privacy laws. The written policy shall also include the following:

3.1.e.1. A licensed domestic violence program pursuant to this rule may not disclose, reveal, or releaseor be compelled to disclose, reveal or release, any written records or personal or personally identifying information about a program participant created or maintained in providing services, regardless of whether the information has been encoded, encrypted, hashed, or otherwise protected, except:

3.1.e.1.a. Upon a written release, or upon oral consent in emergency situations, of the person seeking or who has sought services from the program;

3.1.e.1.b. In any proceeding brought under W. Va. Code §9-6-4, W. Va. Code §9-6-5 or W. Va. Code §49-2-801et seq.;

3.1.e.1.c. As mandated by W. Va. Code § 49-2-810et seq., and W. Va. Code §9-6-1et seq.;

3.1.e.1.d. Pursuant to an order of any court based upon a finding that the information is sufficiently relevant to a proceeding before the court to outweigh the importance of maintaining the confidentiality established by this section; and

3.1.e.1.e. To protect against a clear and substantial danger of imminent injury by a person receiving services to himself or herself or another;

3.1.e.2. In addition to the provisions set forth in this section, the release of a victim's or survivor's personally identifying information is subject to the provisions of 34 U.S.C. § 12291(b)(2).

3.1.e.3. No release or authorization for the transmission or disclosure of confidential information is effective unless it is signed by the program participant whose information is being disclosed. Every person signing a release shall be given a copy.

3.1.e.4. A victim or survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking shall not be required to provide consent to release their personally identifying information as a condition of eligibility for the services, nor may any personally-identifying information be shared in order to comply with federal or state reporting, evaluation, or data collection requirements.

3.1.f. A domestic violence program shall have and enforce a written policy that requires all cases of suspected child abuse, child sexual abuse, and child abandonment be reported according to the requirements of W. Va. Code § 49-2-803.

3.1.g. A domestic violence program shall have and enforce a written policy that requires reporting of suspected abuse and neglect of an incapacitated adult or facility resident to adult protective services according to the requirements of W. Va. Code § 9-6-11.

3.1.h. Information may be shared to assist a Fatality and Morality Review Team request made pursuant to W. Va. Code 61-12A-1, provided that:

3.1.h.1. The program participant is deceased;

3.1.h.2. All information disclosed to the Fatality and Mortality Review Team remains confidential pursuant to W. Va. Code 61-12A-4; and

3.1.h.3. The licensed program makes a reasonable effort to obtain a release from the victim's personal representative (if one has been appointed) and from the guardian of the victim's children (but not if the guardian is the abuser of the deceased parent).

3.1.i. Domestic violence program staff shall demonstrate knowledge of the Domestic Violence Act, W. Va. Code §§48-26 et seq. and provide that information to those individuals to whom it applies.

3.1.j. A domestic violence program shall, at a minimum, provide the following individualized services:

3.1.j.1. Case management;

3.1.j.2. Advocacy;

3.1.j.3. Crisis intervention;

3.1.j.4. Information and referral to other community resources;

3.1.j.5. Counseling, which may be provided within the program or arranged with other community agencies;

3.1.j.6. Hotline services available 24 hours a day;

3.1.j.7. Safety planning;

3.1.j.8. Temporary emergency shelter;

3.1.j.9. Community education, awareness and prevention activities; and

3.1.j.10. Sexual assault services unless they are already being provided by a local sexual assault program.

3.1.k. A domestic violence program shall ensure that all purchase of client service agreements are in writing. Those agreements shall contain all terms and conditions required to define the individuals to be served, the services to be provided, the procedures for payment and the payment amount.

3.1.l. A domestic violence program shall maintain appropriate extension space in every county in their catchment area.

3.1.l.1. An extension space shall be available during established office hours, and accessible at other times by a toll-free telephone number.

3.1.l.2. An extension space shall be provided in a location in the county designated by the licensed domestic violence program that has suitable space and equipment for the provision of direct services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking, and their children.

3.1.l.3. Extension space services shall include, but not be limited to:

3.1.l.3.a. Case management;

3.1.l.3.b. Advocacy;

3.1.l.3.c. Community education, awareness and prevention activities;

3.1.l.3.d. Information and referral to other community resources;

3.1.l.3.e. Safety planning;

3.1.l.3.f. Crisis intervention;

3.1.l.3.g. Counseling, which may be provided within the program or arranged with other community agencies; and

3.1.l.3.h. Referral to shelter and housing services.

3.1.m. A domestic violence program shall have a written policy of its referral process, admission policies, exit interview process, and follow-up procedures for clients.

3.1.n. A domestic violence program shall employ staff to cover the following areas: administration and supervision of the program; program direction to provide overall development; coordination of personnel and facilities; coordination of volunteer activities; direct services; case management; record keeping; and community education activities.

3.1.o. Prior to accepting a person as an employee or volunteer in the domestic violence program, the program shall conduct a criminal background records check.

3.1.p. A domestic violence program shall make available and display the telephone number of the Domestic Violence Services Complaint toll free number at all locations.

3.1.q. Domestic violence programs that own or lease buildings shall be in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act or make arrangements to accommodate individuals with special needs.

3.1.r. Domestic violence programs are not required to have a shelter component if they meet the qualifications and provide the enhanced services pursuant to 28 CFR Part 90 and 45 CFR Part 1370.

3.2. Board of Directors.

3.2.a. A domestic violence program shall be governed by a board of directors that shall be responsible for and have authority over the policies and activities of the program, and that is broadly representative of the community served.

3.2.b. The board of directors shall adopt written by-laws and policies that define the powers and duties of the governing body, its committees, the executive director, and the advisory group, where one exists. Copies of the articles of incorporation and the by-laws shall be maintained by the board of directors.

3.2.c. The board of directors shall be responsible for ensuring the program's continual compliance and conformity with terms and conditions of all funding sources.

3.2.d. The board of directors shall require the program director to submit a written programmatic and financial report at each board meeting.

3.2.e. Every member of the board of directors shall disclose in writing any financial transactions with the program involving the member or her or his immediate family. The board of directors shall approve any contract or transaction of disclosure where financial interests of this nature have been made.

3.2.f. The board of directors shall designate an individual to act as program director and shall delegate the necessary authority to that person to manage the affairs of the program effectively.

3.2.g. The board of directors shall meet at a minimum on a quarterly basis and shall keep written minutes of all meetings, including attendance and whether or not a quorum was present.

3.2.h. The board of directors shall maintain a current listing of its members, including the name, the position, and the term of membership (if applicable) for each member.

3.2.i. The board of directors shall ensure that the domestic violence program is adequately funded and fiscally sound. To this end, the board of directors is responsible for the following:

3.2.i.1. Assessing the adequacy of operating funds for at least three months into the future, i.e., reserves, guarantee of loans or other funds and fees, and developing a fund-raising strategy when necessary;

3.2.i.2. Reviewing and approving the program's annual budget;

3.2.i.3. Providing for an annual audit, or financial review as required by state and federal grants, of all accounts by an independent certified public accountant who is neither an employee of the program nor a member of the board of directors;

3.2.i.4. Monitoring disbursement of all funds on at least a quarterly basis to assure that they are made in accordance with the program's objectives as specified by the board of directors;

3.2.i.5. Assuring that a program maintains liability insurance coverage for staff, volunteers, and members of the board of directors;

3.2.i.6. Assuring that the program requests and receives funding from public and multiple private sources; and

3.2.i.7. Assuring community support for the program, as demonstrated by in-kind or cash donations, or both.

3.2.j. A domestic violence program's board of directors shall adopt written personnel policies that:

3.2.j.1. Pertain to all paid or volunteer staff;

3.2.j.2. Specify actions that will be taken by the agency if personnel fail to comply with employee, contractor, or volunteer policies.

3.2.j.3. Include job descriptions and position qualifications for each position within the program;

3.2.j.4. Set forth, in written form, rules of conduct for personnel:

3.2.j.5. Require that individuals providing professional or therapeutic counseling, or professional social work, or both, have appropriate credentials and are licensed when applicable;

3.2.j.6. Assure that at least one-third of its direct service providers are certified by the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence Advocate Certification Program;

3.2.j.7. Provide new staff with orientation and training; and

3.2.j.8. Assure that all direct service staff attend at least two domestic violence advocate certification trainings per year approved by the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

W. Va. Code R. § 191-2-3