3 Miss. Code. R. 5-02-200 - Certification Requirements for Emergency Assessment Team Victim Advocates

(a) An emergency assessment team shall be created for any child suspected to be a victim of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. §43-263(2), "the team shall include, at a minimum:

(a) an investigator certified by the Mississippi Human Trafficking Operational Task Force Board,

(b) an investigator from the Department of Child Protection Services, and

(c) a person certified by the office of the Attorney General as an advocate for victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation."

(b) A person certified by the Office of the Attorney General as an advocate for victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation (Certified Advocate) must complete, at a minimum, 28 hours of training from an established and reputable source, which shall include at least the following:

(1) 8 hours of basic training, to include education on the types of human trafficking, behaviors of traffickers, trauma-informed care, confidentiality and ethical duties;

(2) 8 hours of response training. Response training for minor victims shall include knowledge of state reporting laws, implementation of victim needs assessments, screening procedures used to determine the necessity of forensic interviews, and knowledge of statewide and local placement resources for minor victims;

(3) 4 hours of collaboration training, to include collaboration with law enforcement, medical providers, and other non-profit organizations and legal resources;

(4) 4 hours of federal and state investigation training to be conducted by the Human Trafficking Task Force Board; and

(5) 4 hours of onsite child response training.

(c) In addition to the successful completion of the 28 hours of training enumerated in (b) above, candidates for Certified Advocate shall successfully complete a background check (with special considerations for human trafficking survivors), and shall be available to respond to victims days, nights and weekends.

(d) Certified Advocate applicants shall provide written proof of completion of all requirements outlined in (b) and (c) to the Office of the Attorney General before certification shall be issued. The background check may be completed by the Attorney General's Office.

(e) Upon receipt of all required documentation, the Office of the Attorney General shall have 60 days to certify an applicant for inclusion in an emergency assessment team and shall notify both the applicant and the Coordinator for Services of Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation at the Department of Child Protection Services of the outcome of the certification process.

(f) Certified Advocates who actively utilize these skills at least twice over the course of one year or who engage in additional training similar to that in (b) shall not require any recertification.

Notes

3 Miss. Code. R. 5-02-200

Adopted 11/1/2022