Sec. 07.05.01.17. Contractual, Professional, Volunteer, and Student Services

A. Contractual Services. An individual employed by the agency who is not a full-time employee shall be bound by the provisions of a contract with the agency to provide specific, ethical, consistent, and appropriate services. A contractual employee shall be:

(1) Approved by the chief administrator;

(2) Supervised by appropriate agency staff;

(3) Identified to the public as an employee of the agency when providing contractual services for the agency;

(4) Obligated to adhere to agency policies;

(5) Committed to the goals and objectives of the agency;

(6) Required to comply with all agency confidentiality requirements;

(7) Subject to all requirements in Regulations .09 and .13 of this chapter; and

(8) Included in the list of employees provided to the Administration before the agency's relicensure.

B. Professional Services.

(1) The agency shall, with the concurrence and support of a child's parent or legal custodian, obtain or document the attempt to obtain professional services that are not available within the agency as required by the child's individual case plan. The agency shall ensure that any professional providing a direct service to a child in care:

(a) Communicates with agency staff regarding the services provided; and

(b) Be made aware of the relevant aspects of the child's case plan.

(2) The agency shall document that all professionals providing services to the agency, whether working directly with children in care or providing consultation to employees of the agency:

(a) Are qualified, and certified or licensed as appropriate to the Profession; and

(b) Have met the requirements of Regulation .09 of this chapter.

C. Volunteers. An agency may use volunteers to perform tasks and duties in the agency and shall:

(1) Develop a written plan for the use of volunteers which includes:

(a) A description of duties and responsibilities for volunteers,

(b) The philosophy, goals, and objectives of the agency,

(c) The needs of the children in care and their families,

(d) The personnel policies of the agency, and

(e) The confidentiality requirements of the agency;

(2) Require personal references, criminal background investigations, and health checks as required in Regulation .09 of this chapter;

(3) Designate an employee to supervise and evaluate volunteers;

(4) Except for those employees who have a contractual agreement to work without pay, ensure that volunteers not be assigned to fill a staff position required by the agency's service program plan;

(5) Keep records on the hours and activities of regular volunteers;

(6) Provide each volunteer with a copy of the program plan for volunteers described in §C(1) of this regulation;

(7) If the volunteer works directly with a child, ensure that the volunteer is briefed on the child's special needs and goals; and

(8) Develop a plan for the orientation and training of volunteers based on §C(1) of this regulation.

D. Student Services. An agency which accepts students for field placements or internships shall:

(1) Develop a written plan describing the tasks and functions available to the student and the school;

(2) Require personal references, health checks, and criminal background investigations as required in Regulation .09 of this chapter;

(3) Designate a qualified employee to supervise and evaluate the student, and serve as liaison with the student's school;

(4) Develop a plan for orientation and training of the student in the philosophy of the agency, needs of the children in care and their families, and confidentiality requirements;

(5) Provide an opportunity for the student to participate in developing and implementing case plans for the children and families with whom the student works directly; and

(6) Assure the school and the Administration that the student is not assigned to fill a staff position required by the agency's service program plan.