Explaining Program Policies
It is important for advocates acting as Safe at Home Enrolling Agency assistants to be well versed in the program policies and services. Participants in the Safe at Home program are required by law (per Government Code 6206.7) to adhere to the program's policies in order to remain active in the program and to continue to receive services. It is critical for applicants to understand what their role as a participant of the program will be before they are enrolled. Knowing what is expected of them in advance will help them understand whether or not they can benefit from the program and how to use the program services successfully.
Child Custody Issues- Section Six on the Application
- In any case where there are minor children, the applicant must provide the names and addresses of the minor children, the names and addresses of the other parents of those minor children, all court orders related to the custody, visitation or support of those minor children, and the names and addresses of the legal counsel of record, if any, in those cases. (per Government Code §6206(a)(4))
- Within ten days of certification of enrollment, the Secretary of State must notify the other parent or parents of the designation of the Secretary of State as agent for purposes of service of process and, unless there is a court order prohibiting contact, the address designated by the Secretary of State for the program participant. The notice shall be given by mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the last known address of the other parent to be notified. A copy shall also be sent to that parent’s counsel of record, if provided to the Secretary of State by the applicant. (per Government Code §6206(d))
- Safe at Home Application Assistants should inform all applicants that if they have minor children the law requires Safe at Home to send a letter to the other parent and their attorney (if provided) specifying the Secretary of State as the legal agent to receive service of process and to receive and forward their mail. (per Government Code §6206(d)) The letter will further request that the Safe at Home P.O. Box be used to mail any correspondence intended for the applicant's children, unless there is a court order prohibiting contact.
- To prevent sharing of the Safe at Home P O Box address with the other parent, the applicant must provide Safe at Home with a copy of a court order prohibiting contact with the applicant and/or the applicant's children. Mail received in violation of a restraining order should be reported immediately to law enforcement.
- Note: The address(es) provided in section six on the application must be the last known address(es) of the other parent(s) of the applicant’s child/children being enrolled, not necessarily the abuser(s) or stalker(s), unless the abuser(s) or stalker(s) is/are also the other parent(s) of the applicant’s child/children.
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Reasons for Termination
A Safe at Home participant's enrollment can be terminated for any of the following reasons: (per Government Code §6206.7)
- The participant withdraws from program participation by submitting to the Secretary of State written notification of withdrawal and his or her current identification card.
- The participant's certification term has expired and certification renewal has not been completed;
- The Secretary of State has determined that false information was provided in the application process;
- The Secretary of State has determined that the participant enrolled to avoid detection of illegal or criminal activity (including unlawfully avoiding custody or visitation orders) or to evade law enforcement;
- The program participant no longer resides at the most recent residential address provided to the Secretary of State, and has not provided at least seven (7) days' prior notice in writing of a change in address;
- A service of process document or mail forwarded to the program participant was returned as nondeliverable;
- The participant obtained a legal name change without notifying the Secretary of State within seven (7) days;
- The participant turned 18 during his or her certification term and did not renew his or her certification within 60 days of his or her 18th birthday.
- The Secretary of State may refuse to renew the certification of a participant who has abandoned his or her domicile in California.
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Release of Information
Participant information can only be released under the following circumstances: (per Government Code §6208);
- If requested by a law enforcement agency, to the law enforcement agency. This requires approval of Safe at Home Law Enforcement Exemption Request Form. The form must be signed by the highest level of authority of the requesting law enforcement agency;
- If directed by a court order, to a person identified in the order;
- If certification has been terminated as a result of providing false information in the application process or using enrollment in the program to avoid detection of illegal or criminal activity (including unlawfully avoiding child custody or visitation orders) or to avoid apprehension by law enforcement.
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Updating Information with Safe at Home
- All updates to information, including a change of address, telephone or name must be made in writing and signed by the participant. Fax the update to Safe at Home at (916) 653-7625 or mail it to: Safe at Home, P. O. Box 846, Sacramento, CA 95812.
- Note: Safe at Home does not accept emailed updates. Our staff is unable to verify a sender's identity and email is not a secure method of correspondence.
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Using Legal Name and ID
- It is required by law that the applicant uses his or her legal name to enroll in the program and to receive mail.
- If the applicant has had a legal name change, has been divorced or remarried and the name on the evidence he or she is providing does not match the new name, he or she must provide proof of the name change to Safe at Home with his or her application.
- If, once enrolled, the participant has a legal name change or confidential name change, he or she must provide proper notification to Safe at Home. Once proper notification is received, he or she may receive mail in both his or her prior name and his or her new name until the transition to the new name is complete.
- If mail or service of process is received on behalf of the participant in a prior name (as long as the name is on file with Safe at Home) the mail or service of process shall be forwarded to the participant.
- Once enrolled, the participant must use his or her Safe at Home ID on all mail received at his or her Safe at Home P.O. Box.
- If the ID is not on the participant’s mail, it can be returned to sender and the participant’s case may be terminated.
- Mail should be addressed as follows:
Participant Name and SAH ID #
P.O. Box #
Sacramento, CA 95812
OR
Participant Name
Attn: SAH ID #
P.O. Box #
Sacramento, CA 95812
OR
Participant Name
P.O. Box #, Box "SAH ID #"
Sacramento, CA 95812
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