| (a) Required Written Documents. A local volunteer advocate
program must have in writing:
(1) a mission and purpose statement approved by the
statewide volunteer advocate organization;
(2) the local volunteer advocate program's goals and
objectives, with an action plan and timeline for meeting those goals
and objectives;
(3) a method for evaluating the progress of accomplishing
the local volunteer advocate program's goals and objectives;
(4) a funding plan based on the local volunteer advocate
program's goals and objectives;
(5) personnel policies and procedures;
(6) job descriptions for employees, directors, and
volunteers;
(7) procedures for volunteer recruiting, screening,
training, and appointment to cases;
(8) policies for support and supervision of volunteers;
(9) a grievance procedure for employees, volunteers,
and community members;
(10) a media/crisis communication plan;
(11) a fidelity bond;
(12) accounting procedures;
(13) a weapons prohibition policy approved by the statewide
volunteer advocate organization; and
(14) a memorandum of understanding between DFPS and
the local volunteer advocate program that defines the working relationship
between the local volunteer advocate program and DFPS.
(b) Personnel.
(1) A local volunteer advocate program must have a
maximum volunteer-to-supervisor ratio of 30:1 and a maximum case-to-supervisor
ratio of 45:1.
(2) A local volunteer advocate program must endeavor
to provide equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color,
religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability,
or other status protected by law and must comply with all applicable
laws and regulations regarding employment.
(3) A local volunteer advocate program must endeavor
to be an inclusive organization whose employees, volunteers, and directors
reflect the diversity of the children and community that the program
serves in terms of gender, ethnicity, and cultural and socio-economic
backgrounds.
(c) Conduct.
(1) All volunteers, employees, and directors must conduct
themselves in a professional manner.
(2) Volunteers, employees, and directors may not discriminate
against any individual on the grounds of race, color, national origin,
religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, or other legally
protected classes.
(3) A local volunteer advocate program may terminate
a relationship with a volunteer, employee, or director who:
(A) does not act in accordance with the policies of
the local volunteer advocate program; or
(B) has abused or neglected a position of trust.
(d) Confidentiality.
(1) Each local program must counsel volunteers, employees,
and directors on what constitutes confidential information.
(2) A volunteer, employee, or director may not communicate
any confidential information pertaining to an individual being served
by a local volunteer advocate program to a person who is not authorized
to possess the confidential information.
(e) Conflicts of Interest. Each local volunteer advocate
program must have a written conflict-of-interest policy that:
(1) prohibits any personal, business, or financial
interest that renders a volunteer, employee, or director unable or
potentially unable to perform the duties and responsibilities assigned
to that volunteer, employee, or director in an efficient and impartial
manner; and
(2) prohibits a volunteer, employee, or director from
using the position for private gain, or acting in a manner that creates
the appearance of impropriety.
(f) Liability.
(1) A person is not liable for civil damages for a
recommendation made or an opinion rendered in good faith, while acting
in the official scope of the person's duties as a board member, staff
member, or volunteer of a local volunteer advocate program.
(2) Neither HHSC nor the statewide volunteer advocate
organization will be liable for the actions of local volunteer advocate
program volunteers, employees, or directors. Volunteers, employees,
and directors of local volunteer advocate programs must abide by the
conduct, confidentiality, and conflict-of-interest requirements outlined
in this section, as well as all other laws and regulations governing
the prescribed conduct and activity.
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