As in effect on August 1, 2008
A. Level One: The Youth Advocate Program is an advocacy service for youth and families which provides support, socialization activities, and assists in building self-esteem of youth who are at risk of or have been neglected or abused or who are ungovernable.
B. Level Two: In areas of the state where parent aide programs do not exist, the Youth Advocate funds may pay for a parent aide. The parent aide would be responsible to work with a parent(s) who are lacking in parenting, socialization and homemaking skills. The parent aide program policy requirements shall be the same as the youth advocate program.
C. Level Three: This level of the Youth Advocate Program is characterized by providing intensive services to youth who may be seriously out of control, may have serious behavioral or emotional problems, may be substance abusers, may be preparing for independent living, or may require stringent costly out-of-home placements if less restrictive interventions are not provided. Intensive youth advocate workers provide one-on-one intensive supervision that may include monitoring of behavior, client advocacy, basic living skills training, crisis intervention; also, linkage to educational, vocational, employment, and recreational services.
The youth advocate worker shall meet the following standards:
A. Youth advocate worker shall submit fingerprints to be cleared through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) as authorized by Section 62A-4a-413. This check must show that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors, which may have an impact in working with children. The DCFS Database (USSDS or SAFE) shall be checked for any occurrences of child abuse. If the applicant has a substantiated child abuse report, this information, along with other information, will be taken into consideration during the application process.
B. The youth advocate worker will receive a copy of the Department of Human Services "Code of Conduct" and will act accordingly. A signed copy of the Statement of Understanding will be included in the youth advocate worker's file.
C. The youth advocate worker will sign a Motor Vehicle Insurance Certification form in which the youth advocate workers will certify that no-fault property damage and liability coverage insurance will be maintained on any automobile used in the program.
D. Compliance with these standards will be monitored by regional staff and the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS), based on interviews, collateral contacts, and other appropriate documentation.
A. The youth advocate worker shall not discriminate against the youth because of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or handicap. The youth advocate worker shall respect the religious and cultural practices of the child.
B. The youth advocate worker shall have the physical health necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.
C. The youth advocate worker shall have no unresolved emotional or mental health needs which impede the worker in performing the responsibilities of the position.
D. The youth advocate worker shall be 21 years of age or older.
E. While working with youth, the youth advocate worker shall demonstrate maturity, flexibility, the ability to modify expectations and attitudes, and the ability to accept and respond to the needs of youth.
F. The youth advocate worker shall respect the relationship the youth has with the natural parents and the agency, and shall encourage those relationships.
G. The youth advocate worker shall have experience fostering the development of children or shall have the personal characteristics and temperament suited to working with children.
H. The youth advocate worker shall not be dependent on the youth advocate payments as the primary source of household income.
I. A DCFS employee shall not be approved as a youth advocate worker.
J. The youth advocate worker shall not be on probation, parole, or under indictment for a criminal offense, and shall have no history of violent crimes involving youth.
K. The youth advocate worker shall work cooperatively with DCFS, Juvenile Court, the Guardian ad Litem, the Attorney General, and law enforcement officials as authorized by the supervising caseworker.
L. The youth advocate worker shall understand and abide by the requirements that information must be kept confidential.
M. The youth advocate worker shall notify the caseworker and guardian of concerns.
N. The youth advocate worker shall be trained to provide for the needs of the children they work with. The training shall be approved by DCFS and may be provided by the Division or by other educational or social agencies in the community.
O. The youth advocate worker shall not use any type of corporal punishment in working with a child. Infliction of bodily pain, discomfort, or degrading/humiliating punishment shall be prohibited.
DCFS may revoke certification upon any of the following grounds:
A. Violation of standards, agreement conditions, or the Department of Human Services Code of Conduct.
B. Conduct in the provision of service that is or may be harmful to the health or safety of persons receiving the service.
If the above conditions exist the immediate suspension or revocation of the agreement shall be ordered. Written notice shall be sent to the youth advocate worker and shall contain a statement of the basis for the order. The letter must also inform the youth advocate worker of the right and procedure to request a reconsideration of the action.
child welfare, youth advocate
October 1, 1997
January 3, 2007
62A-4a-106
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