§ 20-d. Training of direct care workers in adverse childhood
experiences. 1. As used in this section:

(a) "Direct-care employees" means the employees of domestic violence
shelters, safe dwellings, and domestic violence programs identified by
the certifying organization to receive training, which shall include,
but not be limited to, the directors and coordinators of such shelters,
dwellings, and programs, and any individual or employee performing or
required to perform similar responsibilities.

(b) "Certifying organization" means an organization designated by the
federal department of health and human services to coordinate statewide
improvements within local communities, social services systems, and
programming regarding the prevention and intervention of domestic
violence in New York state.

(c) "Adverse childhood experiences" or "ACEs" means stressful or
traumatic experiences experienced during childhood, which are strongly
related to the development and prevalence of a wide range of health
problems throughout a person's lifetime, including, but not limited to
physical or sexual abuse; domestic violence; parental mental illness;
substance abuse; and incarceration.

2. The office of temporary and disability assistance and the office of
children and family services shall, within amounts appropriated for such
purpose, contract exclusively with an entity, or with entities in
partnership, to develop a training program for direct-care employees to
identify individuals who have experienced ACEs, develop effective
strategies for assisting and interacting with such individuals, and
locate programs and services to which such individuals with ACEs may be
referred to help build the individual's resilience. Such entity, or
entities in partnership, shall be experienced in providing
trauma-informed, victim-centered training on domestic violence, child
abuse, and ACEs. Such entity, or entities in partnership, shall be
responsible for providing such training to direct-care employees.

3. All direct-care employees shall be required to participate in such
training program. Such training shall be provided at no cost to such
employees.

4. The office of temporary and disability assistance and the office of
children and family services shall, within amounts appropriated for such
purpose, contract with a certifying organization to provide a
certification of completion to each direct-care employee who satisfies
the requirements of such training program.