Section 218-RICR-20-00-2.13 - Domestic Violence Waiver ProcessA. 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.218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-20-00-2.13
Adopted effective 1/6/2019
Amended effective 2/16/2020
Amended effective 2/27/2022
Amended effective 11/11/2022
Amended effective 8/26/2023
Amended effective 11/4/2023