DAR File No. 40587

Human Services, Child and Family Services

Rule R512-10

Youth Mentor Program

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Repeal)

DAR File No.: 40587
Filed: 07/07/2016 02:48:58 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The purpose of this change is to repeal the Youth Mentor Program.

Summary of the rule or change:

In this repeal, Child and Family Services has determined that the Youth Services Program has not been part of the services offered by Child and Family Services since 2006, and it is not required by state statute. The rule is repealed in its entirety.

Statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 62A-4a-106
• Section 62A-4a-102

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There will be no increase in cost or savings to the state budget because these proposed changes do not increase nor decrease workload that would require additional staff or other costs.

local governments:

Local governments have no responsibility for services offered by Child and Family Services and are, therefore, not affected by this rule and will have no fiscal impact.

small businesses:

Small businesses have no responsibility for services offered by Child and Family Services and are, therefore, not affected by this rule and will have no fiscal impact.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There is no expected fiscal impact for "persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities" because funding requests for services offered by Child and Family Services come out of already-existing budgets.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

Child and Family Services determined that there will be no compliance costs for affected persons because there are no specific costs involved with the changes being made to this rule.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

This rule will have no fiscal impact on businesses.

Ann Williamson, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Office of Administrative Rules, or at:

Human Services
Child and Family Services
195 N 1950 W
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Carol Miller at the above address, by phone at 801-557-1772, by FAX at 801-538-3993, or by Internet E-mail at carolmiller@utah.gov
• Julene Robbins at the above address, by phone at 801-538-4521, by FAX at 801-538-3942, or by Internet E-mail at jhjonesrobbins@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

08/31/2016

This rule may become effective on:

09/07/2016

Authorized by:

Brent Platt, Director

R512. Human Services, Child and Family Services.

[R512-10. Youth Mentor Program.

R512-10-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) The purpose of this rule is to establish criteria for a Youth Mentor Program.

(2) This rule is authorized by Section 62A-4a-102.

 

R512-10-2. Definition.

(1) Level One: The Youth Mentor Program is an advocacy service for youth and families which provides support and socialization activities, and assists in building self-esteem of youth who are at risk of or have been neglected or abused or who are ungovernable.

(2) Level Two: In areas of the state where parent education programs do not exist, the youth mentor funds may pay for parent education services. The parent education services would be used for the purpose of working with a parent(s) who is lacking in parenting, socialization, and homemaking skills.

(3) Level Three: This level of the Youth Mentor Program is characterized by providing intensive services to youth who may be seriously out of control, may have serious behavioral or emotional problems, may be substance abusers, may be preparing for independent living, or may require stringent costly out-of-home placements if less restrictive interventions are not provided. Intensive youth mentors provide one-on-one intensive supervision that may include assistance to the out-of-home provider in monitoring of behavior, basic living skills training, crisis intervention, as well as linkage to educational, vocational, employment, and recreational services.

 

R512-10-3. Conditions for Approval.

(1) The youth mentor shall meet the following standards:

(a) The youth mentor shall submit fingerprints to be cleared through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) as authorized by Section 62A-4a-202.4. This check must show that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors, which may have an impact in working with children. The Child and Family Services database (USSDS or SAFE) shall be checked for any occurrences of child abuse. If the applicant has a substantiated child abuse report, this information, along with other information, will be taken into consideration during the application process.

(b) The youth mentor will receive a copy of the Department of Human Services "Code of Conduct" and will act accordingly. A signed copy of the Statement of Understanding will be included in the youth mentor's file.

(c) The youth mentor will sign a Motor Vehicle Insurance Certification form in which the youth mentor will certify that no-fault property damage and liability coverage insurance will be maintained on any automobile used in the program.

(d) Compliance with these standards will be monitored by Child and Family Services' regional staff and/or the youth mentor coordinator, based on interviews, collateral contacts, and other appropriate documentation.

 

R512-10-4. Characteristics and Requirements of Youth Mentor.

(a) The youth mentor shall not discriminate against the youth because of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or handicap. The youth mentor shall respect the religious and cultural practices of the youth.

(b) The youth mentor shall have the physical health necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.

(c) The youth mentor shall have no unresolved emotional or mental health needs which impede the youth mentor in performing the responsibilities of the position.

(d) The youth mentor shall be 21 years of age or older.

(e) While working with youth, the youth mentor shall demonstrate maturity, flexibility, the ability to modify expectations and attitudes, and the ability to accept and respond to the needs of youth.

(f) The youth mentor shall respect the relationship the youth has with the natural parents and Child and Family Services, and shall encourage those relationships.

(g) The youth mentor shall have experience fostering the development of children or shall have the personal characteristics and temperament suited to working with children.

(h) The youth mentor shall not be dependent on the youth mentor payments as the primary source of household income.

(i) A Child and Family Services employee shall not be approved as a youth mentor.

(j) The youth mentor shall not be on probation, parole, or under indictment for a criminal offense, and shall have no history of crimes involving youth.

(k) The youth mentor shall work cooperatively with Child and Family Services, the Juvenile Court, the Guardian ad Litem, the Attorney General, and law enforcement officials as authorized by the supervising caseworker.

(l) The youth mentor shall understand and abide by the requirements that information must be kept confidential.

(m) The youth mentor shall notify the caseworker and guardian of concerns.

(n) The youth mentor shall be trained to provide for the needs of the youth they work with. The training shall be approved by Child and Family Services and may be provided by the youth mentor coordinator or by other educational or social agencies in the community.

(o) The youth mentor shall not use any type of corporal punishment in working with youth. Infliction of bodily pain, discomfort, or degrading/humiliating punishment shall be prohibited.

 

R512-10-5. Revocation of the Youth Mentor Agreement.

(1) Child and Family Services may revoke certification upon any of the following grounds:

(a) Violation of standards, agreement conditions, or the Department of Human Services Code of Conduct.

(b) Conduct in the provision of service that is or may be harmful to the health or safety of persons receiving the service.

(2) If the above conditions exist, the immediate suspension or revocation of the Youth Mentor Agreement shall be ordered. Written notice shall be sent to the youth mentor and shall contain a statement of the basis for the order. The letter must also inform the youth mentor of the right and procedure to request a reconsideration of the action.

 

KEY: child welfare, youth advocate

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: February 9, 2010

Notice of Continuation: April 14, 2016

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 62A-4a-102; 62A-4a-106]