244 R.I. Code R. 244-RICR-00-00-2.7

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 244-RICR-00-00-2.7 - Group Facilitators and Other Staff

2.7.1Program Responsibilities to Staff

A. Batterers intervention programs shall recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff in accordance with policies that promote professional conduct, effective intervention, and victim and community safety.

B. All program personnel policies shall be based upon non-discrimination.

C. Program policies shall promote a drug-free and violence-free workplace. Personnel policies shall address violence and/or abusiveness in the professional and personal lives of program staff, and shall provide for recommended treatment or intervention when appropriate, and/or potential discipline for substance abuse, violence, abusiveness, or other dangerous or unprofessional conduct by staff.

D. Programs shall provide internal monitoring mechanisms, training, and supervision aimed at identifying and eliminating collusion. In the context of batterers intervention, collusion between facilitator and group participants.

E. Programs shall provide orientation for all new staff with respect to organization goals and philosophy, policies and procedures, safety precautions, confidentiality and the limits of confidentiality. Non-Facilitator staff shall be provided with basic information and training regarding domestic violence issues and dynamics.

F. Programs shall provide, or shall provide access to, a minimum of twelve (12) hours per year of relevant in-service and on-going training for all Facilitator and Supervisor staff in areas outlined below in sections on Facilitator and Supervisor Qualifications. All required or voluntary training that helps to meet this requirement shall be documented by the programs, including subject, trainer, participants, and number of hours.

G. Programs shall develop and implement policy guidelines regarding staff reporting any personal and/or other business relationships with agency clients. Staff shall disclose to the supervisor and/or manager the nature of any current or past personal, business or professional relationship with clients other than the present agency services.

H. Programs shall conduct a written evaluation of all new staff at two (2) or more intervals during the first year of employment. On-going written evaluation shall be conducted at least yearly thereafter, and shall be maintained in confidential personnel files (not subject to review by the Oversight Committee).

I. Programs shall provide evidence of regular and on-going professional supervision as described herein for all Facilitators by one or more qualified individuals who are on staff or available as consultants.

2.7.2 Facilitator Qualifications

A. All those who interact in batterers groups must meet minimum qualifications in the areas of Educational Degree Requirements, Specialized Training, and Batterers Group Facilitation Experience, as described herein. Such documentation shall be submitted for individuals prior to their participation in the group process

B. Program managers shall be responsible to ensure that any and all Seasoned Facilitators, Facilitator Trainees, Student Inter Facilitators and Group Observers have demonstrable and substantive skill, knowledge and experience appropriate to their respective roles, and that they are able to fulfill their roles effectively within the batterers intervention program.

2.7.3Seasoned Facilitators

A. Role. Seasoned Facilitators are qualified to lead batterers groups on their own, provided that group size does not exceed ten (10) participants, and/or to co-lead groups with another Facilitator. They are also qualified to work with and mentor Facilitator Trainees or Student Intern Facilitators, at the discretion of the program.

B. Summary of Qualifications. Seasoned Facilitators must have achieved a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a related field, thirty- five (35) contact hours of Specialized Training, and one hundred (100) contact hours conducting batterers groups as a Facilitator Trainee under supervision, all as detailed herein.

C. Educational Degree Requirement. In order to qualify as a Seasoned Facilitator, individuals must possess a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field of study. Fields of study may include (but are not limited to) social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, social sciences, child and family services, education, criminal justice, mental health, and others with demonstrable and substantial applicability to batterers intervention.

1. Exceptional experience and training may substitute for some portion of the educational requirement in limited circumstances. Such an exception will be considered upon written request and justification provided by the program.

D. Specialized Training/Experience. Seasoned Facilitators must acquire a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours of training and/or education that provides specific preparation for facilitation of batterers intervention groups. The thirty-five (35) hour training requirement shall be completed prior to facilitating batterers groups. Such training and/or education shall consist of courses, conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, online training courses, internships, and clinical work and must be suitably documented as having been completed within the preceding ten (10) years. Credits and classes that are part of the Educational Degree requirement may also be used if such credits and classes can be shown to meet the detailed criteria for Specialized Training.

1. Twenty-one (21) hours of training are required in these areas:]:

a. Seven (7) hours of training in domestic abuse issues and dynamics.

b. Seven (7) hours of training relative to abuse victim services and community safety issues related to domestic violence.

c. Seven (7) hours of training relative to group dynamics.

2. The remaining fourteen (14) hours may be distributed among other related areas.

E. Batterers Group Facilitation Experience. In order to qualify as a Seasoned Facilitator, individuals must ALSO have completed a minimum of one hundred (100) hours of facilitation of batterers groups under the direct supervision of a Facilitator determined to have met the requirements of a Seasoned Facilitator. Initial hours may be spent primarily in observation or writing tasks in group but no fewer than eighty (80) hours shall be spent actively participating in facilitation. Active participation includes but is not limited to: conducting the check-in/checkout, participating in/conducting the lesson plan, eliciting group interaction, and/or responding to defense mechanisms, such as minimization, denial, and blaming statements. Such responsibilities shall be carried out jointly with a Seasoned Facilitator to assist in learning how to balance shared leadership of a group.

F. Continuing Education. Seasoned Facilitators must participate in a minimum of twelve (12) hours of continuing education annually. A minimum of six (6) of the required continuing education hours must be related to domestic abuse dynamics and issues, abuse victim services, and/or community safety issues. The remaining six (6) hours may be distributed among other related areas.

1. Program directors/administrators shall submit documentation annually for each Facilitator on-staff indicating how the continuing education requirement has been satisfied.

G. Supervision. Seasoned Facilitators must receive regular supervision from a Supervisor who is qualified in accordance with the standards [Refer to Nature of Supervision for Facilitators, § 2.7.8 of this Part].

2.7.4Facilitator Trainees

A. Role. Facilitator Trainees are qualified to learn and practice the skills of batterers group facilitation through participating in group leadership with one or more Seasoned Facilitators, who act as mentors. Trainees are also subject to agency supervision in accordance with standards on Nature of Supervision for Facilitators. Facilitator Trainees shall spend a minimum of one hundred (100) hours of batterers group contact time in training. While a Facilitator Trainee may not lead a group alone until the full one hundred (100) hours of experience have been completed satisfactorily, a qualified Facilitator Trainee who has been determined to have the needed skills, qualifications and readiness may co-facilitate a group under the direct guidance of a Seasoned Facilitator.

B. Summary of Qualifications. In order to be qualified as a Facilitator Trainee, individuals must have achieved a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a related field and thirty-five (35) contact hours of Specialized Training, as detailed herein.

C. Educational Degree Requirement. In order to qualify as a Facilitator Trainee, individuals must generally possess a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field of study. Fields of study to include specialty areas that show demonstrable and substantial applicability to batterers intervention.

D. Specialized Training/Experience. Facilitator Trainees must acquire a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours of training and/or education providing specific preparation for facilitation of batterers intervention groups. The thirty-five (35) hour training requirement may be earned prior to, or while earning the one hundred (100) hours facilitating batterers groups, but must be completed prior to being considered a Seasoned Facilitator. Such training and/or education shall consist of courses, conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, online training and courses, internships, and clinical work and must be suitably documented as having been completed within the preceding seven (7) years. Credits and classes that are part of the Educational Degree requirement may also be used if such credits and classes can be shown to meet the detailed criteria for Specialized Training.

1. Twenty-one (21) hours of training are required in these areas:

a. Seven (7) hours of training in domestic abuse issues and dynamics.

b. Seven (7) hours of training relative to abuse victim services and community safety issues related to domestic violence.

c. Seven (7) hours of training relative to group dynamics.

2. The remaining fourteen (14) hours may be distributed among other related areas.

E. Batterers Group Facilitation Experience. In order to qualify as a Seasoned Facilitator, trainees must complete a minimum of one hundred (100) hours of facilitation of batterers groups under the direct supervision of a Seasoned Facilitator. Initial hours may be spent primarily in observation or writing tasks in group but no fewer than eighty (80) hours shall be spent actively participating in facilitating the group process.

F. Trainees as Co-Facilitators. Once a qualified Facilitator Trainee has acquired a minimum of twenty (20) hours of observation, a program manager and/or qualified Supervisor may consider placing the Trainee with a Seasoned Facilitator as a Co-Facilitator. If requested by the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee as part of program review, programs shall be prepared to provide information to support decisions made about individual Trainees' readiness to co-facilitate groups, amount and type of supervision provided, and number of groups co-facilitated.

G. Continuing Education. Facilitator Trainees must participate in a minimum of twelve (12) hours of continuing education on an annual basis. A minimum of six (6) of the required continuing education hours must be related to domestic abuse dynamics and issues, abuse victim services, and/or community safety issues. The remaining six (6) hours may be distributed among other related areas. Program directors/administrators shall submit documentation annually for each Facilitator on-staff indicating how the continuing education requirement has been satisfied.

H. Supervision. Facilitator Trainees must receive regular supervision from a qualified Supervisor in accordance with the standards. [Refer to Nature of Supervision for Facilitators, § 2.7.8 of this Part].

2.7.5Student Intern Facilitators

A. Role. Student Interns who meet the qualifications may participate in batterers groups under the direct and constant oversight of one or more Seasoned Facilitators. Student Intern Facilitators are also subject to agency supervision in accordance with standards on the Nature of Supervision for Facilitators, as well as supervision through the college or university placement office.

B. Summary of Qualifications. In order to be considered as a Student Intern for verbal participation/interaction in the batterers group process, the program must ensure that individuals have completed a minimum of three (3) years of study (90 credits) in a related field, AND thirty-five (35) contact hours of Specialized Training as detailed herein. At the program's discretion, Student Interns not meeting these requirements may be involved in other aspects of the program. Examples include but are not limited to conducting the intake process under the direction of a Supervisor/Seasoned Facilitator, observing, taking group notes, and participating in staff/supervision meetings.

1. Suitable Student Intern Facilitators can be considered for supervised internship field placement as part of a structured degree program in an appropriate field of study.

C. Related Fields of Study. Fields of study may include others with demonstrable and substantial applicability to batterers intervention.

D. Specialized Training/Experience. Student Intern Facilitators must acquire a minimum of 35 hours of training and/or education providing specific preparation for facilitation of batterers intervention groups. Such training and/or education shall consist of courses, conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, internships, and/or clinical work and must be suitably documented as having been completed within the preceding five (5) years. Credits and classes that have been completed as part of a relevant Educational Degree program may also be used if such credits and classes can be shown to meet the detailed criteria for Specialized Training.

1. Twenty-one (21) hours of training are required in these areas:

a. Seven (7) hours of training in domestic abuse issues and dynamics.

b. Seven (7) hours of training relative to abuse victim services and community safety issues related to domestic violence.

c. Seven (7) hours of training relative to group dynamics.

2. The remaining fourteen (14) hours may be distributed among other related areas.

2.7.6Group Observers

A. Role. Under certain circumstances, programs may determine it is appropriate to permit individuals to observe batterers intervention groups. In this context, observation may include note taking and observing the group process, but no direct interaction with the group. A brief introduction or explanation of the observer's presence may be made, either by the observer or Facilitator, at the program's discretion.

1. Observers might include Student Interns who do not meet the qualifications for group interaction, Probation and Parole Officers, agency case managers, supervisors, victim services representatives, researchers, and other professionals. In addition, programs are required to provide reasonable access to representatives of the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee to observe groups.

2. Such observers shall not participate in group interaction, play a role within the group, or be considered Facilitators for any purpose.

B. General Guidelines. Program guidelines for the presence of non- participating observers shall ensure that:

1. There is a clear purpose for the observation.

2. The confidentiality of the group and its members is maintained.

3. Observers are introduced to the group and/or their presence is explained.

4. Observers agree not to play an active role within the group.

2.7.7Supervisor Qualifications

A. Supervisors who provide supervision to Facilitators must meet minimum qualifications in the areas of Educational Degree Requirements and Specialized Training/Experience as detailed herein. Programs shall be responsible to ensure that Supervisors meet all such requirements, and shall make documentation available to the Oversight Committee upon request.

B. Role. Supervisors are qualified to provide supervision of individuals identified as Facilitator/Supervisors, Seasoned Facilitators, Facilitator Trainees, and Student Interns.

C. Summary of Qualifications. Supervisors must generally have achieved a minimum of a Master's degree in a related field and have three (3) years of substantive experience in a related field, as described below. Program managers shall be responsible to ensure that any and all Supervisors have demonstrable and substantive skill, knowledge and experience and are able to supervise batterers intervention program Facilitators effectively.

D. Educational Degree Requirement. In order to qualify as a Supervisor, an individual must generally possess a minimum of a Master's degree in an appropriate field of study. Fields of study may include but are not limited to social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, social sciences, child and family services, education, criminal justice, mental health, and others with demonstrable and substantive applicability to batterers intervention.

1. Exceptional experience and training may substitute for some portion of the educational requirement in limited circumstances if the individual has completed a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field PLUS five (5) years experience (7500 hours) working directly with victims, batterers, offenders, and/or other mandated clients in a treatment, counseling, instructional or case management role. Such an exception will be considered upon written request to the Oversight Committee with a full explanation of the individual's qualifications.

E. Specialized Training/Experience. Supervisors shall have a minimum of three (3) years substantive work experience in related fields, including BOTH victim and perpetrator issues. Relevant experience shall include work closely involved with such areas as domestic violence issues and dynamics; victim services and community safety issues; facilitation and co-facilitation of psycho-educational groups for batterers or other mandated treatment or counseling clients; group and interpersonal dynamics; clinical assessment, intervention, counseling and therapeutic skills; adult education and instruction; staff supervision; legal and ethical issues related to domestic abuse or intervention; and any other areas deemed appropriate by the Oversight Committee.

F. Batterers Group Facilitation Experience. It is strongly encouraged that every Supervisor have specific experience facilitating batterers intervention groups. In the absence of such direct batterers intervention group experience by individuals who otherwise possess the requisite skills, experience, training and education, programs shall ensure that Supervisors observe batterers intervention group facilitation. (Such observation of Facilitators, which is strongly recommended for all Supervisors, may also provide the opportunity for supplemental supervision as described elsewhere.)

G. Continuing Education. Supervisors must participate in a minimum of twelve (12) hours of continuing education annually. A minimum of six (6) of the required continuing education hours must be in the areas of domestic abuse issues and dynamics, abuse victim services, and/or community safety issues. Program managers shall submit documentation annually to the Oversight Committee indicating how the continuing education requirement has been satisfied for each Supervisor.

2.7.8Nature of Supervision for Facilitators

A. Every person who facilitates or co-facilitates any batterers group shall be provided formal supervision (required) and may be provided supplemental supervision and/or other staff support (optional). All formal supervision shall be conducted by one or more individuals who meet the qualifications as a Supervisor.

1. Areas of Competency. Supervision, both formal and supplemental, shall be directed at monitoring, improving and providing feedback on areas of competency important to the conduct of batterers intervention groups. Examples of supervision topics include group dynamics, individual offender issues, intervention strategies, facilitation and co- facilitation skills, instructional methods, staff dynamics, ethical issues, agency issues, and staff-initiated topics.

2. Formal (Required) Supervision/Format.

a. Every person who facilitates or co-facilitates any batterers group (Supervisors who also facilitate groups, Seasoned Facilitators, Facilitator Trainees and Student Interns) shall receive a minimum of one (1) hour of formal face-to-face supervision per month.

b. Qualified individuals who provide supervision to one or more Facilitators and who also facilitate one or more groups shall be subject to the requirement to receive formal supervision, either from an individual qualified Supervisor or as part of a peer group that includes at least one other qualified Supervisor.

c. Formal supervision shall be conducted in blocks of time of one half (1/2) hour or longer. Shorter time segments can be used for supplemental supervision, but shall not be applicable to the minimum formal supervision requirement.

d. Formal supervision shall be conducted in a professional setting with a minimum of distractions.

3. Formal (Required) Supervision/Modalities. The minimum requirement of one hour monthly formal supervision can be provided through any or all of the following modalities:

a. One-on-one meetings between a qualified Supervisor and a Facilitator.

b. Group meetings between a qualified Supervisor and two or more Facilitators.

c. Peer supervision groups comprised of at least three members, two or more of whom meet the qualifications as a Supervisor.

d. Supervisors and/or peer group members may include professionals from other batterers intervention program(s) and/or other social service/criminal justice agencies so long as the nature and content of supervision sessions meet the requirements for batterers intervention program supervision.

e. Programs are urged to give careful consideration to ethical and professional standards in the event there is a personal relationship among Facilitators, Supervisors or peers that could adversely impact professional objectivity.

4. Supervision Records. Each program shall maintain a written record of formal supervision as required for every individual who facilitates any batterers group. Programs are encouraged but not required to maintain records of supplemental supervision and other staff support. Required formal supervision records shall include the following at a minimum:

a. Date, location and duration of each formal supervision session.

b. The name(s) of the qualified Supervisor(s) conducting the session.

c. The name(s) of all staff in attendance.

d. A brief description of the topic(s) covered.

2.7.9Standards of Conduct for Group Facilitators and Supervisors

A. Batterers intervention programs shall implement policies, staff monitoring, training, and/or other mechanisms that ensure that Seasoned Facilitators, Facilitator Trainees, Student Intern Facilitators, Group Observers and their Supervisors promote non-abusivebehavior among group participants and fellow staff. Facilitators and Supervisors shall be required to set a positive personal example as an important means of communicating, teaching and modeling appropriate behavior.

1. Facilitators and Supervisors shall be responsible to uphold the Comprehensive Standards and agency policies in conducting groups and in all other professional activities.

2. Facilitators and Supervisors shall be violence-free in their professional and personal lives.

3. Facilitators and Supervisors shall attend work functions free of alcohol, non-prescription drugs, prescription drugs used abusively, or any other substance that could impair the ability to function or could jeopardize the safety of self and others.

4. Facilitators and Supervisors shall attend all work functions with no weapons in their possession.

5. Facilitators and Supervisors shall report all dangerous, threatening or illegal behavior that comes to their attention, in accordance with the Comprehensive Standards and agency policies.

6. Facilitators and Supervisors shall ensure that all staff and client cell phones and pagers are turned off during group sessions except in critical circumstances.

7. Facilitators and Supervisors shall demonstrate respect for and cooperation with their colleagues. When co-leading groups, Facilitators shall share group leadership responsibilities, including confrontation and support of participants.

8. Facilitators and Supervisors shall conduct themselves in a manner that consistently promotes and demonstrates respectful and non-abusive language, behavior and attitudes.

9. Facilitators and Supervisors shall uphold professional and ethical standards of conduct, and shall report to the appropriate program authorities any instances in which their professional role could be compromised through other relationships with or knowledge of program clients. Programs shall encourage Facilitators and Supervisors to refrain from social interaction with clients who are enrolled in the program, and to seek reassignment from working with clients with whom they have other personal, social or business interaction.

10. Facilitators and Supervisors shall hold batterers responsible and accountable for their abusive behavior; shall confront minimization, justification and denial of abusive behavior; shall challenge attitudes of sexism, victim-blaming and expressions of power and control over other individuals; shall promote zero tolerance for any level of abuse; and shall prohibit participants from engaging in any form of abuse in group.

244 R.I. Code R. 244-RICR-00-00-2.7

Adopted effective 1/20/2019