Section 244-RICR-00-00-1.5 - Renewed Comprehensive Certification1.5.1Description:Programs, agencies or individuals that currently have comprehensive certification in Rhode Island as batterers intervention programs are generally eligible to apply for renewed comprehensive certification. The process, comparable to that described above for provisional and comprehensive certification, involves submitting an application and accompanying documentation to the Review Subcommittee of the BIPSOC. Applications shall be screened and representatives of the Oversight Committee shall attempt to resolve any incomplete, unclear or inconsistent items. Following a detailed review of submitted documents, the Review Subcommittee shall conduct on-site visits to observe the facilitation of sample batterers groups and to review additional program features. As a result of the renewed comprehensive certification application process programs shall be expected to demonstrate and affirm that they are in compliance with each of the Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards.
1.5.2The Application Process:A. In advance of the Oversight Committee meeting at which renewal of certification status of a given program will be considered (generally the meeting on or shortly before the expiration date of the current comprehensive certification), the Review Subcommittee shall discuss with the program representative the preliminary findings as to compliance (and non-compliance) with the Comprehensive Standards, and anticipated recommendations. The program representative shall be offered the opportunity to prepare a response for presentation to the Oversight Committee, if desired.B. A summary report describing the review process and preliminary findings shall be prepared by the Review Subcommittee and presented to the Oversight Committee, usually with recommendations regarding renewed comprehensive certification. The full application package shall be available at the Oversight Committee meeting for review by members, if needed. Any duly authorized representative of the applicant program shall have the opportunity to present information, respond to questions, or describe aspects of the program, if desired.C. While the Review Subcommittee handles most of the preliminary preparation with the applicant programs, final decision-making authority rests with the Oversight Committee.1.5.3Denial of Renewed Comprehensive Certification:A. If a comprehensively certified program has been unable to demonstrate satisfactorily having met all of the requirements for renewed comprehensive certification within the three (3) month timeframe, the Oversight Committee is empowered to deny renewal of comprehensive certification. Any denial of renewed certification shall be made subsequent to a motion and vote conducted in a manner consistent with the By Laws and applicable regulations.B. Within five (5) business days following an affirmative vote to deny a program's application for renewed comprehensive certification, the Oversight Committee shall send written notice of the decision to the designated contact person at the agency by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice shall include a statement of the basis for the decision. The Oversight Committee shall also notify likely referral sources that the program is no longer certified as being eligible to receive referrals of domestic violence offenders for court mandated batterers intervention, unless an extension of comprehensive certification has been granted, as described below.C. An agency or individual denied renewed comprehensive certification through this process may be eligible to apply for an extension of existing comprehensive certification, or to request provisional certification under certain circumstances, as described below.1.5.4Request for Extension of Comprehensive Certification:A. If a comprehensively certified program has been unable to meet all of the requirements for renewed comprehensive certification within the three (3) month review timeframe and has been informed of such preliminary findings by the Review Subcommittee, the program may request an extension of existing comprehensive certification by submitting a request in writing to the Oversight Committee on or before the expiration of the current certification. As part of the request, the program shall include a detailed plan of action to address all identified areas of non-compliance with the Comprehensive Standards. The plan of action must specify the nature of the deficiency, with reference to all standards involved; the plan to correct the deficiency; the person(s) responsible for implementing the changes; the date of projected readiness; and how compliance can be verified. Information shall be specific and detailed.B. Within five (5) business days following an affirmative vote to deny an extension of existing comprehensive certification, the Oversight Committee shall send written notice of the decision to the designated contact person at the agency by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice shall include a statement of the basis for the decision. The Oversight Committee shall also notify likely referral sources that the program is no longer certified as being eligible to receive referrals of domestic violence offenders for court mandated batterers intervention.C. An affirmative vote to grant an extension shall be accompanied by formal note for the record of the program's plan of action, and shall be granted for no longer than two (2) months additional time beyond the expiration date of the current comprehensive certification, or until the date of the next Oversight Committee, whichever is later. The Review Subcommittee shall continue to work with such a program during the period of extended comprehensive certification in a manner similar to that described above, subject to availability of members.D. Further extension of comprehensive certification, if requested, must be justified in a detailed plan of action provided by the program, with a full and reasonable explanation as to why the needed adjustments have not been made to date. The Oversight Committee shall carefully review each such request on a case-by-case basis, with consideration given to potential impact on victim safety, offender accountability, as well as program accountability. A decision with respect to a request for any additional extension shall be made subsequent to a motion and vote conducted in a manner consistent with the By Laws and applicable regulations. Notice shall be provided to the program representative as indicated above.1.5.5Awarding of Renewed Comprehensive Certification:A. Upon determination by the Oversight Committee that an applicant agency or individual has satisfactorily demonstrated compliance with each of the Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards, the Oversight Committee is empowered to award renewed comprehensive certification. Such award shall be made subsequent to a motion and vote conducted in a manner consistent with the By Laws and applicable regulations.B. The renewal of comprehensive certification is based on the representations of the applicant agency that it meets each of the Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards for an agency that provides batterers intervention services to court mandated offenders, along with verification of a sample of selected standards by the Oversight Committee. The Oversight Committee reserves the right to conduct ongoing monitoring, review and re-certification in accordance with established procedures.C. Renewed comprehensive certification as a batterers intervention program shall remain in effect for two (2) years from the date of award, or for other time period specified by the Committee; provided, however, that if the Committee shall confirm that a certified program is not in compliance with the comprehensive standards, the Oversight Committee shall reserve the right to revoke or suspend certification.D. In the event that the Committee is unable to vote on the certification status of a program due to lack of quorum or other circumstance not related to the program's qualifications, the existing provisional certification status shall remain in full force and effect until such time as the Committee is able to conduct a vote in accordance with the By Laws.244 R.I. Code R. 244-RICR-00-00-1.5
Adopted effective 1/17/2019