Policies and procedures reflect a program's culture, values, mandated services, and needs of clients and the community. Policies and procedures also ensure compliance with Tribal codes and federal and state laws. The resources on this page are tools for documenting policies and procedures and creating a roadmap for day-to-day program operations.
Creating Policies and Procedures
The resources on this page are a starting point for creating your own policies and procedures. Victim service providers can use this content as a guide for developing policies and procedures that represent your unique community and client needs.
- Start with this overview describing the importance of developing and using policies and procedures.
- Then use this guide to better understand how to tailor them to Tribal communities and OVC standards.
- Finally, learn more about the types of policies and procedures you would like to create from the selections below.
Victim Support and Services Provided
Outline a program’s victim services to staff members, clients, and key partners, documenting the full spectrum of services available to potential clients.
Victim Support and Services Provided
Safeguarding Client Data
Protect a client's safety in seeking services and building trust with victim service providers. Safeguarding client data, including their personally identifiable information (PII), details of their victimization, and the services they access while in your program protects their confidentiality and reduces the possibility of re-traumatization.
Safeguarding Client Data
Screening and Intake
Identify the victimization a client may have experienced and determine whether they are eligible for services from the victim service provider through the screening and intake process.
Screening and Intake
Accessibility and Safety of Services
Ensure all victims of crime can access services and programs including individuals with disabilities and persons with limited language proficiency regardless of the program's size or scope.
Accessibility and Safety of Services
Victims' Rights
Outline how a program provides services, including how each victim service is implemented and the process for how the staff provide the support and services to victims.
Victims' Rights
Client Referrals
Offer victims of crime a wide array of comprehensive services to support their healing journey. To do this work sustainably and holistically, working with partner organizations is a key resource for victim service providers.
Client Referrals
Requesting Assistance
T-VSTTA hosts a two-part highly interactive virtual workshop. Participants gain foundational knowledge on developing trauma-informed and victim-centered policies and procedures, learn about OVC Model Standards and engage with peers in a small group setting.
Contact T-VSTTA at [email protected] or call 833-887-8820 to join the next policies and procedures workshop.
Resources
Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Model Standards promote victim-centered, trauma-informed, and healing-focused services to crime victims. These standards are not requirements or mandates, but considerations that can be used as a starting point when developing program policies and procedures.