You are a mandated reporter
If you have reasonable suspicion that a participant has experienced abuse or neglect — you report. You do not need proof. You do not need certainty. You do not wait for an internal investigation. Reasonable suspicion is enough.
Report to DCFS: 800-540-4000 (24 hours). Then notify Ginny Song immediately. Written follow-up report within 36 hours.
California Penal Code §11166 — failure to report is a misdemeanor. Good-faith reports are protected from liability.
1
Remove from immediate harm if possible
Ensure the participant is safe. Do not confront the alleged perpetrator.
2
Call DCFS: 800-540-4000
Report immediately. Have: participant description, nature of concern, location, your name and role.
3
Notify Ginny Song (COO) same day
ginny@poieto.com — tell her you've made a report. She takes it from there organizationally.
4
Complete Incident Report Form same day
Write down exactly what you observed or heard. Exact words, not interpretation. Submit to Ginny.
If the concern involves another staff member or TA: That person is removed from participant contact immediately — before any investigation — by Ginny or Christine. You do not handle this yourself.
Workers Compensation — The Hartford
800-327-3636
Report a workplace injury. Already set up in QuickBooks by Bernie. Call immediately after any on-site injury.
24hr
Report injuries
California Paid Sick Leave
SB 616 — 5 days / 40 hrs
You accrue paid sick leave under California law. Contact Ginny Song with questions about your accrual or how to use it.
Your right
Payroll Questions
kirtana@poieto.com
Timesheet questions, pay periods, corrections — contact Kirtana Kannan. Submit timesheets on time; late submissions may delay payment.
HR — Conduct & Policy Issues
ginny@poieto.com
Workplace concerns, policy questions, conflict with a colleague, Code of Conduct questions — go to Ginny Song, COO.
Harassment or Discrimination
ginny@poieto.com
Report to Ginny Song. If the concern involves Ginny, go directly to Christine Meinders. CA DFEH hotline: 800-884-1684.
Protected report
CA Labor Commissioner
844-522-6734
Wage claims, unpaid overtime, labor law questions. You have the right to contact them at any time.
Your right
POIETO approaches staff wellbeing through collective care — not individual self-care that ignores the systemic conditions that create stress in the first place. Working with young people who carry complex histories is meaningful and demanding. The moments that matter most in the room are often the ones that cost the most to hold. That weight is a program responsibility, not a personal one. We build structures that share it.
Weekly Check-In — Christine
After every session
Christine checks in with every TA after each session. Phone, text, or voice note. How are you? What was hard? What do you need? Confidential. Not an evaluation.
988 — Crisis & Suicide Lifeline
988
For you, not just participants. Teaching this work is demanding. Call or text 988 anytime.
24hr
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Text-based support. Free, confidential, 24 hours. For moments when calling isn't right.
24hr
Didi Hirsch Mental Health
800-854-7771
Therapy, counseling, and crisis services. Sliding scale. If you're carrying something from this work, you're allowed to get support.
Open Path Collective
openpathcollective.org
Affordable therapy ($30—$80/session) with licensed therapists. Online and in-person.
Secondary Trauma — Know the Signs
Talk to Christine
Fatigue, emotional numbness, dread before sessions, difficulty separating work from personal life — these are real. Name it early. We'll figure it out together.
DCFS — Mandatory Report Hotline
800-540-4000
24-hour hotline. For reporting known or suspected child abuse or abuse of a vulnerable adult. You do not need certainty — reasonable suspicion is enough.
24hr
Mandated
Peace Over Violence — Staff Support
213-626-3393
If a participant discloses sexual violence and you need support processing what you heard, POV has staff consultation available.
24hr
POIETO Insurance Carrier
The Hartford — 800-327-3636
Workers comp carrier. Sexual misconduct liability carrier TBD (in progress). Report incidents to Ginny Song who coordinates with the carrier.
Report via Ginny
Legal Aid Foundation of LA
800-399-4529
If you personally need legal help — housing, wages, civil matters. This is for you, not just participants.
Staff use
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Safe Interaction & Abuse Prevention Policy Package
POIETO-Safe-Interaction-Policy.html
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Organizational Abuse Prevention Policy
POIETO-Abuse-Prevention-Policy.html
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Code of Conduct
POIETO-Code-of-Conduct.html
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Background Check Policy (LiveScan)
POIETO-Background-Check-Policy.html
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Annual Abuse Prevention Training
POIETO-Annual-Training.html
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Incident Report Form
POIETO-Incident-Report-Form.html
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Injury & Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)
POIETO-IIPP-FILLED.docx
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Harassment Prevention Policy
POIETO-Harassment-Policy-FILLED.docx
All policies are in: the compliance hub · Questions about any policy â⠒ Ginny Song, ginny@poieto.com