Document Citation: 18 NYCRR 454.9

Header:
NEW YORK CODES, RULES AND REGULATIONS
TITLE 18. DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
CHAPTER II. REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
SUBCHAPTER C. SOCIAL SERVICES
ARTICLE 4. RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
PART 454

Date:
08/31/2009

Document:

§ 454.9 Requirements for approving safe homes

The safe home network is responsible for approving safe homes and such approval is dependent upon a visit to the prospective safe home by the safe home network and the safe home provider meeting the following requirements:

(a) Each safe home provider must be at least 18 years old.

(b) Staff of the safe home network, who have qualifications to administer the safe home network or provide core emergency services as specified in section 454.8(c)(1)-(2) of this Part, must conduct at least one face-to-face interview with each adult member of the household of the prospective safe home to ascertain the following:

(1) the person's understanding of the nature of family violence;

(2) the person's ability to be nonjudgmental;

(3) the person's attitude and, where possible, the attitude of any minor children in the household about establishing a safe home;

(4) the hours of availability of the prospective safe home; and

(5) that each member of the safe home household is reported to be in good general health and that there are no health or other family problems that could negatively affect residents.

(c) Orientation/training. Prior to the placement of residents into the safe home the safe home provider must receive an orientation to the safe home network program. When the safe home provider has no previous experience or training in the field of domestic violence, appropriate training on domestic violence must also be provided.

(d) Safe homes must meet the following environmental standards:

(1) Safe homes must provide an atmosphere of privacy, support and understanding, and one which is safe and confidential.

(2) Safe homes must be maintained in a state of good repair and sanitation, be free of safety hazards and be in substantial compliance with all applicable local and State health and safety laws or regulations for one or two family dwellings or multiple family dwellings classified for permanent occupancy.

(3) Sleeping space must be provided for each child and adult resident and must have adequate heat, light and ventilation.

(4) Safe homes must provide a sleeping area for adult residents which is separate from the sleeping area of safe home household members.

(5) Children residing in safe homes may share a sleeping area with members of their own family or with other children in the safe home household.

(6) Each resident must be provided with clean bedding, basic toilet articles such as towels and washcloths and space for his/her personal possessions.

(7) There must be adequate bathing, toilet and lavatory facilities which must be kept in sanitary condition.

(8) No hazardous conditions must be permitted to exist in any part of the safe home. The following requirements must be complied with in order to eliminate hazardous conditions:

(i) hallways and corridors must not be used for storage of equipment or trash;

(ii) stairways must have sturdy and securely fastened handrails; and

(iii) all electrical cords and plugs must be in good condition with no exposed or frayed wiring. In addition, the following safety requirements must be met by safe homes providing emergency shelter to residents who are children and safe home networks must not arrange to place a child in a safe home which does not meet the following requirements:

(a) prescription medicines and dangerous drugs must be kept in a secured place and out of reach of children; and

(b) containers of chemical cleaning agents and other toxic material must be labeled, stored and secured in places out of reach of children.

(9) Each safe home must be free from fire hazards and must be equipped with at least one operational smoke detector and a fire extinguisher or a sprinkler system which is also operational.

(10) Each safe home provider must have disaster and emergency procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency or disaster, such as a fire or a flood, which must be explained to new residents upon arrival.

(11) A telephone with emergency telephone numbers for fire, police and medical assistance posted nearby must be made available to residents.

(e) Each safe home provider must enter into an agreement with the safe home network which contains the network's/safe home's responsibilities as specified in section 454.10 of this Part.