Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 4 - ADMINISTRATION
Part VII - Governor's Office
Chapter 17 - Women's Services
Subchapter B - Family Violence Program Minimum Standards
Section VII-1727 - Staff and Volunteer Management

1. Policies for the management of staff and volunteers are comprehensive and practical.

2. Relevant goals, objectives and plans are established for staff and volunteer administration.

3. The administration of staff and volunteers is in accordance with applicable professional, ethical and legal principles.

4. The program employs sufficient staff and delegates sufficient authority to ensure the responsibilities the program undertakes are adequately carried out.

5. Comprehensive performance evaluations are conducted to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of staff and volunteer administration.

6. The program promulgates personnel policies that attract and retain qualified personnel.

7. A comprehensive manual containing all personnel policies is maintained, kept current, and made available to all staff.

8. The personnel policies provide for hours, leave and benefits that are designed to attract and retain qualified staff.

9. The program establishes written qualifications for all positions and employs persons who meet or exceed those qualifications.

10. Acceptable practices are followed for recruiting, hiring and assigning staff. Responsibility for hiring is clearly defined.

11. A written employee grievance policy is provided.

12. Acceptable screening practices which serve to protect the program and its clientele are clearly defined and followed. Employers, staff, or others responsible for the actions of one or more persons who have been given or have applied to be considered for a position of supervisory or disciplinary authority over children, with the permission of said person, will have a criminal history records check conducted (R.S. 15:587.1).

13. The program recruits a diverse staff which is reflective of the community and geographic area in which the program is located.

14. Acceptable practices are followed for orientation, development and training of staff. Training content is compatible with OWS and LCADV's statement of philosophy. Forty hours of family-violence related training is required for staff. Sixteen hours of orientation for new staff is required plus 20 hours of training in the first year. Experienced staff accompany new employees at all times and they are not given sole responsibility for working with survivors until orientation is complete.

15. Acceptable practices are followed in supervising and evaluating staff. Clear times of supervision and reporting are established.

16. Acceptable practices are followed in terminating employment of staff. Responsibility for terminating employment is clearly defined.

17. A job classification system and salary ranges are maintained to attract and retain qualified personnel.

18. Comprehensive and current job descriptions are available for all staff positions.

19. A comprehensive confidential personnel record is maintained for each staff member.

20. Staff providing direct services are provided opportunities for debriefing to prevent burnout in an on-going forum, such as weekly staffing, maintenance or supervision meetings.

21. The program determines the need for volunteer services and utilizes the services of volunteers as appropriate.

22. The program adopts policies that attract and retain qualified volunteers.

23. A comprehensive volunteer manual containing all volunteer polices and practices is maintained, kept current and made available to volunteers. This manual includes policies and procedures regarding recruitment, screening, training, supervision and/or dismissal of volunteers used to provide both direct and non-direct services. The manual clarifies the roles and contributions of volunteers to the program's provision of service, with specific detail addressing how, when, where and the frequency with which volunteers will be used.

24. Comprehensive and current job descriptions are available for volunteer positions.

25. A comprehensive, confidential personnel record is maintained for each volunteer which includes, but is not limited to a signed confidentiality statement and a record of trainings completed by the volunteer.

26. The volunteer policies provide for hours, benefits and recognition that are designed to attract and retain qualified volunteers.

27. Acceptable practices are followed in recruiting, screening and assigning volunteers. Screening practices serve to protect the program and its clients.

28. Acceptable practices are followed in the orientation and training of volunteers. The organization must provide volunteers with 20 hours of training. Training content is compatible with OWS and LCADV's statements of philosophy.

29. Acceptable practices are followed in the supervision, evaluation and termination of the participation of volunteers.

30. Volunteers are qualified for their responsibilities.