31 Miss. Code. R. 9-1.22 - Staff Qualifications & Development

1. Each person having contact with juveniles shall demonstrate emotional maturity, sound judgment, and a sound knowledge of the developmental needs of children.

2. Employees who have direct contact with youth receive a physical examination, including screening for infectious and contagious diseases prior to job assignment, in accordance with state and federal law.

3. Employees undergo a criminal history record check in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-6 and other applicable state and federal laws. Staff members are not hired unless and until an exemption is granted by the licensing agency for any disqualifying offense. This record check includes inquiry with the Child Abuse and Sex Offender Registry. Facility policies shall include provisions in policy for periodic rescreening of all staff and volunteers.

4. Contractors shall also undergo criminal history checks, including the Child Abuse and Sex Offender Registry checks in compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) regulations prior to interacting with youth.

5. Facility administrator/director qualifications.

a. Each facility administrator/director shall demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

i. thorough knowledge of the Mississippi Code for the care of children and the Mississippi juvenile offender code;

ii. considerable knowledge of principles and techniques applicable to the care and rehabilitation of juveniles and to the growth, development, needs and unique problems of children;

iii. considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and

iv. techniques of administration and management;

v. ability to train, supervise, plan, direct and evaluate the work of others, as documented by experience, training or a combination of both;

vi. ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; and

vii. ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the courts, law enforcement agencies, schools and community organizations.

b. The facility administrator's minimum qualifications include some related college experience (including related military experience) or a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of five years' experience working in youth programs.

c. Each detention facility administrator shall demonstrate thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques used in dealing with juvenile offenders in an institutional or detention setting.

d. Each secure care facility administrator shall demonstrate thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques used in dealing with juveniles in a residential setting.

6. Youth care staff and alternate youth care staff shall, before employment:

a. Be twenty-one years of age or older; and

b. Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.

7. Professional staff and consultants shall meet all Mississippi qualification and licensing requirements for their respective profession, including but not limited to, any continuing education as required by state or federal law.

8. Medical and healthcare professionals.

a. Medical and healthcare professionals who provide services at the detention facility shall receive continuing education as required by state and federal law. Those with patient contact are current with CPR training and also receive annual sexual misconduct prevention and intervention training.

b. If the facility relies on health staff who are not mental health professionals to provide any mental health service otherwise permitted by state law, the governing body shall approve such staff and ensure those staff members obtain training in mental health services.

c. If facility staff perform health screenings at the time of admissions, adequate instruction in conducting the admission screen is required.

Notes

31 Miss. Code. R. 9-1.22

Miss. Code Ann. §§ 43-21-901 to 43-21-915 (Rev. 2016).

Adopted 12/28/2019