The JSafe Certification Program consists of three parts:

1. Training
2. Adoption of Policies and Guidelines
3. Oversight

Training

In order to become a JSafe certified organization, every member of an organization’s staff will undergo JSafe training. The training will:

• instruct them to know what is appropriate and responsible in terms of their own conduct
• sensitize them to the existence of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault in the Jewish community
• teach them to understand the nature and dynamics of abuse
• educate them to recognize signs of child abuse, domestic violence and assault
• teach them about their legal obligations to respond
• train them to offer effective and appropriate help to alleged survivors

This training will be provided through video and articles, as well as through personal interaction with JSafe-approved local Jewish Family Services, Domestic Violence Programs, psychologists, physicians and other qualified professionals.

It is essential that these personal connections are made on a local level in order to facilitate support should the need arise.

The management of each JSafe certified organization will ensure that each member of the staff and, at times, its volunteers complete this training. Each staff member will have to pass a test, via the Internet, to assure that they have mastered the material and are committed to upholding JSafe-approved guidelines. Because of the methods used, new staff can be trained at any time of year.

The program will be developed by a team of top professionals in the field. Institutions and organizations will refresh their training and testing on an annual basis in order to sustain their certification.

Adoption of Policies and Guidelines

Each JSafe certified organization will adopt and enforce policies and guidelines that conform to JSafe standards. Such policies and guidelines:

• require its staff to respond according to their legal and JSafe responsibilities in dealing with survivors of abuse and domestic violence
• require background checks on all employees before hiring
• set standards for how the members of its staff treat and behave towards the adults and children they serve
• develop and implement a mechanism to oversee proper conduct of all employees
• develop and implement a mechanism by which complaints about employees can be effectively investigated and, if necessary, acted upon (through reprimand or dismissal and/or legal action, as the case warrants)
• refer alleged survivors for appropriate support
• protect alleged survivors and reporters from recrimination, scapegoating and intimidation during the reporting and investigatory process
• maintain confidentiality
• commit to having professional help for the organization during and in the aftermath of allegations against an employee
• provide for appropriate programs sensitizing and educating its community in matters of abusive behavior.

Oversight

While each organization is responsible to manage its own compliance to these policies and guidelines, all JSafe-certified organizations will grant JSafe the right to oversee their ongoing compliance with those policies. JSafe will serve in supporting and consulting roles to its certified organizations, and will be the place to address for the concerns and complaints about JSafe-certified organizations.

Recertification

Certification will be valid for one year, after which an organization will apply for recertification. The recertification process will involve refresher material for each staff member and a review of policies and compliance.

Fees

There will be an initial fee for the first certification and a subsequent, lesser fee, for recertification. The fees will be a function of the size of the number of trainees.