Agency Policy

In accordance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), Our Home, Inc. has established a zero tolerance policy toward resident sexual abuse and sexual harassment. 

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Reporting Sexual Abuse and Harassment

Our Home, Inc. strives to prevent all sexual abuse and harassment. Any person with cause to believe an Our Home resident has been sexually abused or harassed is encouraged to contact Josh Thorpe, Associate Director, or Jenise Pischel, Executive Director at 605-352-4368.

 

All reports including third-party and anonymous reports are confidential and will be thoroughly investigated. All reports of alleged abuse will be referred by Our Home to the South Dakota Department of Social Services for external investigation. 

Persons wishing to directly report alleged child abuse or neglect to the SD Department of Social Services may call 1-877-244-0864. Intake Specialists will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If reporting an emergency situation before 8 a.m., after 5 p.m., on the weekends, or during a holiday, please contact your local law enforcement. 

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Annual Report

Our Home, Inc. will review its aggregated data and use it to assess and improve the effectiveness of its sexual abuse/harassment prevention. Detection, and response policy, practices and training by identifying problem areas, taking ongoing corrective action, and preparing an annual report. 

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Audit & Audit Report

Our Home, Inc. had an initial audit by a certified PREA auditor in 2016 and a follow-up audit for compliance in 2019. Due to no longer meeting criteria needed to maintain a PREA Compliant facility status, Our Home, Inc. will not have further audits conducted. However, Our Home, Inc. will continue to follow and adhere to PREA standards. 

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