Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 105 - GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SUPERVISION › Chapter 105-3 - FAMILY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM › Rule 105-3-.06 - Certification Requirements for Family Violence Intervention Program Owners

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1) Initial FVIP Certification.
(a) Judicial Circuit Requirement. Programs seeking certification in more than one (1) judicial circuit shall submit one (1) application. Programs must indicate all judicial circuits in which they are applying for certification.
(b) Mission Statement Requirement. Each applicant shall submit in their application their program's mission statement or a statement of intent addressing the role of the FVIP in their organization.
(c) Background, History & Experience. Each applicant shall submit information on the program owner's, operator's and/or designee's background, history, interest and experience addressing family violence and domestic violence.
(d) Disclosure of Businesses and Ownership Ventures. Each applicant shall disclose any other businesses or ownership ventures.
(e) Locations & Class Schedules. Each applicant shall submit the addresses for all requested locations, proposed class schedules and assigned certified facilitators.
(f) Class Fees. Each applicant shall submit their class fee schedule and written indigent fee reduction plan for participants declared indigent by the court and provide a copy of these documents to all referral sources.
(g) General Liability Insurance. Each applicant shall submit proof of a current general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.
(h) Victim Liaison Requirement. Applicants shall submit a current contract with a victim liaison. FVIPs are required to have a contract with a victim liaison at all times during the course of their certification. The victim liaison shall be a paid, subcontracted domestic violence advocate from a CJCC-certified program or Commission-approved program. FVIPs must notify the Commission if there is any change in the victim liaison.
1. An FVIP may initiate contact with victims of family and domestic violence only through the victim liaison unless FVIP staff has a legal duty to warn the victim of immediate danger. All FVIP contact with victims shall be in accordance with the Department SOP.
(i) Principles of Practice. Each applicant shall submit a signed copy of the Principles of Practice. FVIPs shall adhere to the following Principles of Practice, incorporate them into their program's policy and procedure manual, submit a signed copy to the Commission upon recertification, and prominently display them in the program facility.
1. FVIP providers are advocates for victims of family and domestic violence who work to hold participants accountable for their acts of family and domestic violence. The highest priorities of FVIP providers are the safety, rights and confidentiality of victims.
2. FVIP providers advocate that offenders of family and domestic violence be held accountable. FVIP providers should never collude with participants, minimize, tolerate, or justify abusive and unacceptable behavior.
3. FVIP providers consult with victim advocates to ensure quality programming.
4. FVIP providers consistently act and communicate in ways that do not perpetuate discriminatory behavior, attitudes, or bias. FVIP providers treat all with dignity.
5. FVIP providers are not advocates or legal witnesses on behalf of participants and shall use caution when responding to requests for assessments, impressions, opinions, information, or testimony. FVIP providers will not state or imply that program completion will result in non-abusive behaviors or victim safety.
6. Anger management programs, couples counseling, and psychotherapy are not appropriate interventions for family and domestic violence and may place the victim at heightened risk. Ending violence and abuse and ensuring victim safety takes precedence over efforts to save relationships.
7. Educational group sessions must be the primary approach to family and domestic violence intervention. Substance abuse treatment, addictions treatment, and individual treatment are not appropriate interventions for family and domestic violence. However, providers may find participants benefit from these interventions separately, but only in addition to participation in an FVIP.
8. FVIPs alone do not create accountability. FVIP providers collaborate with community partners and participate in a larger coordinated community response to family and domestic violence.
(j) Background Check Requirement. All program owners, operators and designees shall undergo a comprehensive criminal background, temporary protective order, and driver history check. Program owners, operators and designees may be subject to additional background checks at any point during their period of certification. All background checks will be conducted by the Department.
1. Program owners, operators, and designees shall provide the Commission details of any of the following:
i. Conviction, guilty plea, or nolo contendere plea for any felony or misdemeanor.
ii. Adjudication of guilt withheld for a felony or misdemeanor, including first offender act and conditional discharge sentencing.
iii. Current charges of a violation of law.
iv. Reports to the Department of Family and Children's Services for child abuse or neglect.
v. Protective orders issued against them, or bond conditions resulting from an arrest.
vi. A finding of family or domestic violence made in divorce, custody, or visitation proceedings.
vii. Any sanctions and revocations imposed by any professional licensing boards.
(k) Notification of Arrest Requirement. FVIP owners, operators and designees shall report to the Commission by the next business day after release any arrest.
(l) Notification of Temporary Protection Order Respondent Requirement. FVIP owners, operators, and designees shall report to the Commission any temporary protection or stalking orders of which they are a respondent by the next business day after service of the order.
(m) Coordinated Community Response Requirement. Program owners, operators, or designees shall participate in the Community Task Force on Family Violence and be a part of the coordinated community response to domestic violence in every judicial circuit in which they are certified. Evidence of program owners, operators and/or designees (other than a facilitator or manager) participating in two (2) coordinated community response meetings annually shall be submitted to the Commission upon recertification. If no such body exists, the applicant shall attend other family violence community meetings for this requirement or may request from the Commission these hours be met through domestic violence court observations, law enforcement ride-alongs, or volunteering with a domestic violence advocacy program.
(n) Program Certification Schedule and Fees. The Commission will review applications for initial program certification two (2) times a year. Each applicant will be required to submit a $250.00 nonrefundable certification fee per requested judicial circuit with their application.