Model Resident Education Policy

The (agency) provides two phases of resident education on preventing and responding to sexual abuse and sexual harassment. The first phase is part of intake and orientation of all youth upon admission. The second phase is a comprehensive education program provided weekly to youth in the population who have not been provided the information at an earlier time.

The core goals are to:

• Teach residents about their right to be free from sexual abuse and sexual harassment
• Clarify multiple means of reporting
• Provide information on and describe resources and services available to help residents prevent and respond effectively to sexual abuse and sexual harassment
• Cultivate a culture where youth see the reporting of sexual abuse and harassment as a viable, safe option.

Intake education or orientation is provided one-on-one or in small groups at the time of intake by a staff person trained in delivering the information (training is documented in writing). The orientation uses an age appropriate script developed in consultation with qualified persons to ensure that all material is covered in a manner that is clear and consistent.

Content of the intake orientation includes:

• review of the facility’s mission and values;
• the agency's zero tolerance policy on sexual abuse and sexual harassment (including the definition of zero tolerance and its meaning in the facility);
• the multiple avenues for reporting;
• available services and programs.

In addition, at intake each youth receives a printed youth safety guide that contains at least the same information as presented.

The second phase of resident education is a comprehensive weekly session provided one-on-one or in small groups, depending on population size, by a trained staff person (training is documented in writing) or on video. All residents who have not had this education program attend. The program uses an outline of content and age appropriate language developed in consultation with qualified persons to ensure that all material is covered in a manner that is clear and consistent.

Content of comprehensive education includes:

• Review of the facility’s mission and values, zero tolerance policy, the facility's related policies and procedures, the multiple avenues for reporting, and available resources and services
• PREA and PREA standards
• What sexual abuse is and PREA Standards definitions
• How to get help and how to report
• Red flags – what to watch out for
• Rights to be free from sexual abuse and sexual harassment, retaliation for reporting, and related rights

Resident education is designed to be accessible to all (including those with limited English proficiency, hearing and visual impairment, and limited reading skills). Alternative media such as audio and video are available. Written materials are translated into other languages. Staff facilitators are made aware of available interpretation services.

The (agency) documents resident participation in education. Documentation includes acknowledgement that opportunities for questions were offered.

Additional policy and procedure features

Facility specific information on:

• who does what – staff training, resident orientation, comprehensive education, documenting
• where staff training and resident education is documented
• options for documentation of resident education: adding a line confirming receipt of the information when youth sign for resident handbook, maintain attendance records for groups classes, add a field to the data base that includes attendance
• how materials are reviewed for appropriate reading levels and how those reviews are documented
• the languages in which materials are available and/or the translation services available in the even they are needed
• how information is reinforced and made available continuously: posters, pocket cards, video displays, audio resources, etc.
• facilitators' guide for education sessions

Resources:

Resident Intake and Comprehensive Education Protocol (PDF)
Resident Orientation Resources
Comprehensive Resident Education Resources
Resident Acknowledgment form for PREA Orientation (PDF)
Resident Acknowledgment form for PREA Comprehensive Education (PDF)

PREA Standard 115.333
Back to PREA Standards