441—25.53(229) Advocate assignment. The committing court shall assign the advocate from the county where the individual is located.
	25.53(1) If the advocate assigned cannot serve the individual in an effective and efficient manner, the advocate may request another advocate to perform advocate duties on the individual’s behalf. In the event that another advocate can better represent the individual on a longer term basis, the advocate shall request that the court transfer the individual to another advocate.
	25.53(2) When a conflict of interest is identified between an advocate and an individual, the court and the advocate’s county of employment shall be notified and an alternative advocate shall be assigned. The advocate’s direct supervisor is responsible to monitor and ensure that the advocate does not have a conflict of interest. In instances when dual or multiple relationships are unavoidable, advocates should take steps to protect individuals and are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries. Advocates who anticipate a conflict of interest among the individuals receiving services should clarify the advocate’s role with the parties involved and take appropriate action to minimize any conflict of interest.
	25.53(3) When the advocate assigned is not the advocate from the individual’s county of residence, the advocate’s county of employment may seek reimbursement from the region in which the individual’s county of residence is located as outlined in Iowa Code section 229.19(1)“b.”
	25.53(4) An advocate shall only be assigned to a child 17 years of age or under when the child is not represented by an attorney due to an existing child in need of assistance (CINA) or other juvenile court action pursuant to the Iowa Code.
[ARC 2438C, IAB 3/16/16, effective 5/1/16; ARC 4896C, IAB 2/12/20, effective 3/18/20]