Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 218 - Department of Human Services › Chapter 20 - Individual and Family Support Programs › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Rhode Island Works Program Rules and Regulations › Section 218-RICR-20-00-2.13 - Domestic Violence Waiver Process

Current through June 14, 2024
A. If an
				  applicant/recipient discloses a Domestic Violence situation to DHS staff, the
				  agency representative refers the applicant/recipient to the domestic violence
				  advocate who is on-call. The domestic violence advocate conducts the Family
				  Violence Option Assessment as soon as is practicable.
B. If the applicant/recipient involved is a
				  minor parent/pregnant minor, an immediate report at the time of disclosure must
				  be made to DCYF by calling the Child Protective Services Hotline at
				  1-800 -RI-CHILD as well as referral
				  made to the domestic violence advocate. If such disclosure is made by a minor
				  parent/pregnant minor to the TFD Program worker, s/he may elect to conduct the
				  Family Violence Option Assessment alone, refer the parent to the domestic
				  violence advocate for assessment, or collaborate with the domestic violence
				  advocate in the assessment process as necessary.
C. If the applicant/recipient refuses
				  referral to the domestic violence advocate, eligibility for RI Works is not
				  affected. However, if the individual requests domestic violence waivers, they
				  cannot be granted unless the Family Violence Option Assessment is completed by
				  the domestic violence advocate (or TFD Program representative, as appropriate)
				  with those waivers recommended and approved.
D. From the Family Violence Option
				  Assessment, the domestic violence advocate determines any findings on waivers:
				  whether the individual should be waived from the residency requirements, and/or
				  child support cooperation requirements, and/or RI Works work plan and
				  opportunities and forwards the Findings on the Recommended Waivers portion of
				  the Assessment (Form WVR-2) regarding which waivers, if any, the
				  applicant/recipient should be granted to the appropriate RI Works eligibility
				  supervisor if it involves residency and/or child support cooperation, as well
				  as a copy to the appropriate RI Works service supervisor if it involves RI
				  Works work opportunities.
E. The
				  appropriate supervisor reviews all such recommendations and makes the final
				  determination of any such waiver(s). The Chief Supervisor and/or RIW
				  Administrator, assistant administrator or RIW supervisor are available for
				  consultation in these situations as needed. The agency representative then
				  processes the waiver(s) as appropriate and notifies the
				  applicant/recipient.
F. In the case
				  of an adolescent parent/pregnant adolescent, if a TFD Program worker did not
				  conduct or collaborate in the Family Violence Option Assessment, a copy of the
				  final Findings document is forwarded to the appropriate TFD Program
				  representative.
G. For adolescent
				  parents/pregnant adolescents, after the Family Violence Option Assessment, the
				  TFD case manager must ensure that safety planning, crisis counseling,
				  appropriate referrals, and follow-up services are provided. The TFD Program
				  representative may choose to do this her or himself or collaborate with the
				  domestic violence advocate, as necessary.
H. For all other individuals who disclose
				  domestic violence, the domestic violence advocate is responsible for safety
				  planning, resource information, and follow-up for the
				  applicant/recipient.
I. The
				  domestic violence advocate must review the suitability of any or all waivers at
				  the end of the specified waiver period(s), or earlier if the recipient's
				  circumstances change. The maximum time period for the granting of a waiver is
				  six (6) months. After notification from DHS that the waiver period is about to
				  expire, the Domestic Violence advocate (for teen parents, and/or TFD Program
				  representative) completes a Family Violence Option Re-Assessment (Form WVR-2a)
				  of the individual's circumstances and notifies the appropriate RI Works
				  supervisor(s) of the recommendation for extension or discontinuance of any
				  waiver(s) and/or change(s) in status through a new Findings document. The
				  agency representative then follows up on the recommendation(s) as appropriate
				  and notifies the recipient.