Hope Connection Safety Center

* The organization shall insure access to services that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate.

* Within the limits of available funding, the organization shall make services available to all families regardless of ability to pay. If fees are charged, the organization shall have written guidelines regarding how fees shall be allocated.

* The organization shall adhere to generally accepted accounting practices.

* The organization shall utilize volunteers to the greatest extent possible.

* All staff members, volunteers, and interns providing parenting time and/or exchange services shall:

• Be at least 21 years of age;
• Have successfully completed a thorough background check, including criminal records;
• Have experienced in a care-giving role in relation to children;
• Have an understanding of child development needs and issues;
• Be able to maintain an independent role and draw boundaries;
• Have an understanding of the dynamics of separation and divorce including the impact on children and their families; and
• Possess a basic understanding of the laws governing separation, divorce, and child welfare.

* The organization shall have on staff, on it’s Board of Directors or available for consultation a person(s) knowledgeable or experienced in working with victims of child abuse, family violence, and battering.

* During their first year new staff, volunteers, and interns shall complete at least 15 hours training covering the following topics:

• General ethical principals for supervised visitations/exchanges;
• The programs policies and procedures;
• Stages of child development;
• Separation issues in child separation;
• Intervention to prevent physical or emotional harm;
• Observation of child/adult contacts;
• The emotional and economic effects of divorce;
• Recording observations;
• Maintenance of physical safety for children and adults;
• Substance abuse education and detection; and
• Family violence: differing forms and dynamics of partner and child abuse, including child sexual abuse;
• The Reporting of Maltreatment to Minors Act;
• The Minnesota Government Data Practice Act; and
• Sanitizing visitation area, furniture, and toys.
  

* Ten hours of continuing training shall be provided for current staff annually.

* All staff members providing parenting time and/or exchange services must be trained in first aid, blood borne pathogens and communicable diseases.

* One person who has cardiopulmonary resuscitation training (CPR) for infants, children, and adults must be present in the facility during visitation/exchange hours.

* The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, The Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act and the organizations safety policies and procedures shall be reviewed annually with all volunteers, interns, and staff.

* Premises shall be safe and secure. Premises shall be suitable for the age of the children and the degree of supervision required. Waiting areas shall be located so that a waiting parent cannot be seen by a parent entering the facility and so that a waiting parent cannot hear or see a visit in progress.

* Services provided by the center may include:

• On site supervised visitation;
  
• Off site visitation;
  
• Exchange monitoring;
  
• Telephone monitoring;
  
• Transportation to and from visits;
  
• Recording observations of visits
  
• Reports (factual)
  
• Referrals to other services
  
• Parenting classes and parents groups
  
• Children’s group and classes
  

* Organization shall have written policies and procedures regarding:

• Intake;
• Safety;
• Arrival and departure of clients;
• Termination of a visit;
• Child’s refusal to visit;
• Responsibilities of visiting and custodial parent;
• Responsibilities of supervising staff;
• Client grievances; and
• The dissemination of client data.

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