Chapter 2.77
SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Sections:
2.77.040 Mission and philosophy.
2.77.070 Advisory and standing committees.
2.77.080 Performance evaluations.
2.77.090 Policies and procedures.
2.77.100 Other existing laws, resolutions and policies.
2.77.010 Purpose of program.
The sexual assault program as administered by CCS is authorized and directed to provide, at a minimum, the core services identified and described in Exhibit A attached to the resolution codified in this chapter in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations and accreditation standards for providers of sexual abuse/assault victim core services within Washington State, all as amended from time to time. [Res. 97-04 § 1.]
2.77.020 Membership.
A. The council shall establish a sexual assault program advisory committee (herein referred to as “the advisory committee”) comprised of a minimum of three community members who need not be members of the council. Advisory committee members shall, upon majority vote of the council at any regularly scheduled or duly called meeting, be recommended to the board for appointment to membership on the advisory committee. Each advisory committee member shall be appointed by decision of the board for an initial one-year term. Appointments may be extended for one or more additional one-year terms on recommendation of the council and approval of the board in accordance with the foregoing.
B. Membership of the advisory committee shall be reviewed by the council on an annual basis and the council shall, in consultation with the community and CCS staff, extend its best efforts to ensure that membership of the advisory committee shall be representative of the community served by the sexual assault program and shall include individuals familiar with, or able and committed to familiarize themselves with, the issues of sexual assault and abuse and community conditions which affect sexual abuse or assault and victims or survivors of sexual abuse or assault. [Res. 97-04 §§ 2, 3.]
2.77.030 Duties and training.
A. The advisory committee shall advise the council on issues respecting planning and implementation of the sexual assault program and shall liaise with, and advise, the executive director or program director on matters specifically relating to the sexual assault program, including, without limitation, agency development and strategic planning, policy, programs, personnel, resource development, financial planning and budgeting, agency/community relations, and accountability of the sexual assault program to the public. Final recommendations on these matters shall be made by the executive director to the board for final approval. Members of the advisory committee shall meet at least quarterly with the sexual assault program director or designee to receive updates on the sexual assault program and to discuss issues of program delivery and planning.
B. The advisory committee shall report, at least quarterly, to the full council on the activities of the sexual assault program.
C. Members of the advisory committee shall receive both initial training and annual update and upgrade training in issues of sexual abuse/assault victim services. The training format shall be designed in accordance with state policies and standards by the program director in consultation with the advisory committee, the executive director or designee, CCS management team, and sexual assault program staff. Initial training shall, at a minimum, include: (1) a review of the agency and sexual assault program mission, structure, goals, objectives, programs, method of operations, and finances; (2) information on the dynamics of sexual abuse/assault and relevant community resources; and (3) information on how medical, legal, and social services respond to victims of sexual assault/abuse. [Res. 97-04 §§ 4 – 6.]
2.77.040 Mission and philosophy.
A. The mission and philosophy of the sexual assault program shall be as set forth in Exhibit B attached to the resolution codified in this chapter.
B. The mission and philosophy of the sexual assault program shall be reviewed and reevaluated by the executive director or designee in consultation with the advisory committee at least annually. Recommendations for amendment or modification shall be reported to the council for approval and recommendation to the board for final approval.
C. The executive director or designee or designees shall, at least annually, review the sexual assault program principles, values, mission, and mandates to evaluate, identify, plan, and formulate strategies. The executive director may consult with the advisory committee in this process and shall, in any event, report all findings and recommendations to the advisory committee, the program director and sexual assault program staff. [Res. 97-04 §§ 7 – 9.]
2.77.050 Finances.
A. The executive director or designee or designees shall seek appropriate and diversified revenue sources to help ensure the continued operation of the sexual assault program. Determination of appropriate funding sources may be conducted in consultation with the advisory committee. Conditions of appropriate funding sources must not conflict with the stated mission and service requirements of the sexual assault program. Appropriate funding may include, without limitation, federal or state funding, corporate or private foundations, corporations, businesses, or individuals.
B. The executive director or designee or designees shall prepare annual budgets, and any required amendments or revisions, for the sexual assault program. Budgets and revisions or amendments shall be provided to the advisory committee and the council for review; however, responsibility for final approval of these items rests with the board in accordance with applicable state law;
C. Financial audits of the sexual assault program will be conducted as part of general state audits of the county and CCS in accordance with county and state financial requirements. The executive director will provide copies of all audit reports and annual financial reports relating to the sexual assault program to the council and the advisory committee. Such reports, except to the extent required to protect confidentiality of clients, shall be made available to funding agencies and interested members of the public upon request. [Res. 97-04 §§ 10 – 12.]
2.77.060 Personnel policies.
The executive director or designee or designees shall adopt and review CCS personnel planning policy, personnel policies, staff and volunteer responsibilities, and job descriptions. Review of these items shall be completed at least annually and may be completed in consultation with the council or any subcommittee thereof. Affected CCS staff will be consulted with regard to any proposed amendments of job responsibilities or job descriptions. All such items are subject to the final approval of the board. [Res. 97-04 § 13.]
2.77.070 Advisory and standing committees.
The council may, by majority resolution adopted at any regularly scheduled or duly called meeting, establish one or more advisory or standing committees (in addition to the advisory committee), each of which will consist of one or more council members, and which committee shall, to the extent provided in any authorizing resolution, have and exercise the authority of the council. No such committee shall have the authority to alter, amend, or repeal bylaws or council resolutions; or elect, appoint, or remove any member of such committee. Such committees may, without limitation, be established with the following responsibilities:
A. Policy;
B. Financial oversight;
C. Strategic planning;
D. Resource development; and
E. Agency/community relations.
Due to the limited size of the council and limited availability of potential committee members, the council as a whole may, when it deems appropriate, choose to deal with any one or more of the above responsibilities without creation of, or referral to, a standing committee. [Res. 97-04 § 14.]
2.77.080 Performance evaluations.
The board, or its designee, conducts an annual performance evaluation of the executive director and may consult with the council and advisory committee in completing this evaluation; however, responsibility for hiring and termination of the executive director rests solely with the board. [Res. 97-04 § 15.]
2.77.090 Policies and procedures.
The board does hereby approve the proposed policies and procedures of the sexual assault program attached to the resolution codified in this chapter as Exhibit C. [Res. 97-04 § 16.]
2.77.100 Other existing laws, resolutions and policies.
The council expressly acknowledges that this resolution and the policies approved hereby are subject to all applicable state laws and existing resolutions and policies of the board or CCS, as amended from time to time. To the extent any provision of this resolution or the policies approved hereby are in conflict with, or are less restrictive or onerous than, such laws or resolutions or policies of the board or CCS, the latter shall prevail. [Res. 97-04 § 17.]