3 Miss. Code. R. 5-01-106 - Eligibility for Shelter Providers

To qualify for funds under the program, a human trafficking shelter and/or commercial sexual exploitation shelter provider must meet each of the following minimum requirements:

(a) Be incorporated in the state of Mississippi or recognized by the Mississippi Secretary of State as a private or public nonprofit corporation operating within the state of Mississippi. Such corporation must have a board of directors and/or an advisory committee that represents the racial, ethnic and socio-economic diversity of the area to be served, including, if possible, at least one (1) person who is or has been a victim of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation; and

(b) Have designed and developed a program to provide the following services in Mississippi to victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation and their children, if applicable:

(i) Shelter on a twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week basis;

(ii) A twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week crisis line to provide counseling, emergency response or suicide watch;

(iii) Temporary housing and food facilities;

(iv) Referral services to existing services in the community and procedures to follow-up on the outcome of the referrals, including, but not limited to, referrals for medical care, legal assistance and alcohol and drug treatment;

(v) Information regarding reeducation, trauma-informed therapy, job counseling and training programs, work force training, housing referrals and other available social services;

(vi) A Mississippi licensed therapist available on a twenty-four (24) hours a day basis;

(vii) Provide victim-centered, trauma-informed and culturally and linguistically appropriate care;

(viii) Utilize evidence-based interventions;

(ix) Perform background checks and maintain copies of such for each employee and volunteer;

(x) Ensure adequate safety and security for staff and clients;

(xi) Require mandatory training for staff and volunteers;

(xii) Adhere to ethical and professional standards;

(xii) Require employees and volunteers to maintain confidentiality of any information that would identify individuals served by the shelter;

(xiv) Shall not discriminate in its admissions or provision of services on the basis of race, religion, color, age, disability, marital status, national origin or ancestry;

(xv) Collaborate with other nongovernmental and governmental agencies; and

(xvi) Maintain any required licensure and certification of staff and facility as required by the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Health, the Department of Child Protection Services or any other regulatory body of the State of Mississippi.

(c) Have established procedures for twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week admission of victims of human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation who may seek admission to these shelters on a voluntary basis.

(d) Show receipt of local funds in an amount not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the funding amount, which may include in-kind contributions. In-kind contributions are defined as the value of non-cash contributions (i.e. property or services) that benefit the assisted project or program and are contributed by non-governmental third parties, without charge, to the assisted project or program.

(e) Applicants must fulfill any and all general federal grant requirements with regard to financial reporting and accountability as described in 2 C. F. R. 200, including but not limited to, annual audits, detailed description of accounting system(s), document all disbursements and expenditures, proof of conflict of interest policies, statement of drug-free workplace and requirements regarding matching/cost-sharing contributions, consultants and contractors, expenditures, indirect costs, credit card use, timekeeping, travel, property control, allowability of costs and proof of program income.

(f) Applicants must provide the Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund Committee with a copy of their annual audit prior to funding and annually, during the funding period.

(g) No human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation shelter shall qualify for program funds if it discriminates in its admissions or provision of services on the basis of race, religion, color, age, disability, marital status, national origin or ancestry.

Notes

3 Miss. Code. R. 5-01-106

Adopted 11/1/2022