Rule 125-4-9-.07 - Program Structure RequirementsEach program shall be structured as follows:
(a)Orientation and Intake/Screening Interview - Programs will conduct an initial orientation and an intake/screening interview. Intake/screening interviews will be conducted according to Department SOP. Programs may charge separate fees for the orientation and the intake/screening interview. Neither the orientation nor the intake/screening interview count toward the 24 class requirement.(b)Contract Execution - Each participant will be required to sign a contract before being permitted entry into the program.(c)Classes -(1) Programs must require each participant to attend a minimum of at least twenty-four (24) once a week group classes within 27 weeks.(2) Classes must be at least ninety (90) minutes in length. Administrative duties, including taking attendance and collecting fees, are prohibited during the 90 minutes of instruction time.(3) Four absences must result in automatic termination from the program unless a leave of absence has been approved by the referral source and program in consultation with the victim liaison in advance of the fourth absence. Lateness is considered an absence.(4) Classes must have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 16 participants present.(5) Programs must provide at least one (1) facilitator for up to eight (8) participants and two (2) facilitators for nine (9) to sixteen (16) participants.(6) All participants in a class must be of the same gender.(d)Class Fees and Sliding Fee Scale: FVIPs will charge a fee of between $5 to $50 per class. FVIPs must have a written indigent fee reduction plan for participants declared indigent by the court.(e)Prohibited Program Activities - FVIPs are prohibited from the following: (1) permitting victims to attend or participate in any FVIP classes;(2) requiring victims to participate in any FVIP activities in any manner;(3) issuing graduation certificates to participants who have completed the FVIP;(4) using assessment tools, including anger and violence evaluations, for court or probation purposes which attempt to predict future use of violence; and(5) permitting participants to violate FVIP rules, procedures and the participant's contract without escalating consequences up to and including termination from the FVIP.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 125-4-9-.07
Ga. Constitution 1982, Art. XI, Sec. 1, Par. I, (b), O.C.G.A. Secs. 42-2-11, 42-5-55.
Original Rule entitled "Program Structure Requirements" adopted. F. Apr. 3, 2003; eff. Apr. 23, 2003.