Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 159 - Department of Community Correction
Rule 159.00.05-001 - AR 7.8 - Transitional Living Program Licensure

1. Only DCC licensed transitional housing facilities or programs will be approved for offenders to reside while receiving transition services.

2. DCC Staff shall develop and implement the necessary applications, forms, and onsite observation, monitoring tools and processes for obtaining sufficient information to make licensure and renewal decisions consistent with the requirements established by this regulation.

3. The application and required supporting documentation shall be deemed a part of the official application. An application is not complete without the documents required in this policy.

4. Applications, forms, and other licensing materials shall be maintained in the local offices to provide to applicants upon request.

5. Entities must fully complete and submit applications for licensing and all requested documentation to the appropriate Area Manager for processing through the supervisory chain.

6. The Deputy Director of Parole/Probation (P/P) Services must ensure the establishment of Transitional Housing Review Teams (THRTs) for each area which shall conduct reviews of licensing applications and documents, perform onsite visits or inspections (initial and periodic, announced and unannounced), and make objective recommendations to the DCC Licensure Review Committee (LRC) established by the DCC Director. Each THRT must consist of an Assistant Director of P/P Services, Area Manager of P/P Treatment Services, 2 local P/P officers and 1 Substance Abuse Program Leader. THRT recommendations shall be based upon the entity meeting requirements of this policy and review of investigation reports of any known critical incidents concerning DCC offenders.

7. Applicants for licensing will be notified in writing of the LRC's action taken and specific requirements, if any, that were not met. Entities may appeal LRC actions to the DCC Director, whose decision is binding.

8. The licensing fee will be as established by the BOC. DCC shall provide notice to transitional housing licensing applicants and current licensees when fees change. All fees are nonrefundable regardless of the licensure decision.

9. Applicants with an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (ADAP) licensed treatment program will automatically be approved for licensing as long as the ADAP license requirements meet or exceed the DCC requirements contained in this policy.

10. Area Managers will ensure the assignment of a local P/P officer (or more as needed) to manage cases assigned to the transitional housing program and coordinate with facility staff as necessary.

11. DCC and transitional housing staff will notify each other of any positive drug/alcohol test result as soon as possible. DCC shall also develop and implement procedures for investigating complaints of transitional housing facilities being non-compliant with rules, policies, laws and regulations.

12. An Arkansas Transitional Housing Facility License shall not be issued for a facility under the management, supervision, oversight or ownership of a person currently under a sentence or probation supervision for a felony offense. Ex-offenders must provide proof of discharge of the felony sentence.

13. Licensing and renewals shall be for twelve (12) months following issuance.

1. The entity has submitted a completed Arkansas Transitional Housing License Application and required fee.

2. Proof of satisfactory inspection (by authorized officials) concerning compliance with local, state and federal health and safety codes (such as building, health, food service (as appropriate), housing, fire, plumbing, electrical), and safety codes to operate in the specific local jurisdiction property for use as a transitional housing facility or program.

3. Verification statement from the appropriate municipal entity confirming that the applicant has the proper zoning for the proposed facility and type program. Conditional or 'special use" permit for the property may be accepted for the validation period.

4. Proof of business license or documentation that the named facility or program has non-profit 501C(3) status.

5. Proof of adequate liability and premises insurance.

6. A complete itemized list of each fee amount (one time and monthly) that will be assessed each offender residing in the transitional housing facility (e.g. assessment, any deposits, transportation, room and board, phone charges). At least 30 days notice is given to offenders of any intended fee increase.

7. A complete itemized list of each possible violation, fine and other charges, in dollar amounts, assessed each individual offender. At least 30 days notice is given to offenders of any intended fee increase.

8. If applicable, a price list of items/products (toiletries and other necessities) that will be sold to offenders residing in the transitional housing facility.

9. Space in sleeping rooms is adequate for the number of occupants, and individual storage available for clothes and personal items.

10. Telephone lines are adequate to allow for electronic monitoring of offenders.

11. Copy of certifications by the Red Cross or American Heart Association of First Aid and CPR for staff present at the transitional housing facility.

12. Evidence of appropriate curfews, house rules and enforcement of rules. All house rules and curfews shall be posted in conspicuous places.

13. Daily activities are structured to facilitate a safe and positive environment and facilitate positive change. To remain in the facility, all offenders are required to attend weekly support group meetings to decrease the risk of substance abuse relapse or violation of release conditions.

14. There is visible evidence (noticeable signs posted at entrances) that weapons (including authorized concealed handguns) are prohibited, excluding law enforcement officers or officials pursuing their lawful duties.

15. Facilities and vehicles used to transport offenders are adequately equipped with first aid kits and fire suppression equipment, with the legally required amount and type of insurance coverage for each vehicle. And, there is proof of successful completion of appropriate training on the use; and proof of annual safety inspections (by qualified individuals) in accordance with state statutes for vehicles owned, leased or used in the operation of the transitional housing program.

16. If the facility is a private residence, it has a separate entrance to an exclusive service area for DCC residents.

17. The facility is clean and presentable. Bedrooms and bathrooms for males and females are separate with adequate barriers between them. Toilets, sinks, and showers are clean and operable. The number of toilets, sinks, and showers is adequate for the number of occupants.

18. Adequate laundry facilities are on the premises or within a reasonable distance.

19. The facility has adequate onsite storage (locked/secured rooms and/or file cabinets) for processing, handling and maintaining offender records. All files and documents are easily accessible to persons authorized by DCC policy.

20. Copy of the Disaster Plan including evacuation procedures, documented drills, contingency plan for continued treatment or programming in the event of a disaster.

21. General information is provided for the proposed transitional housing facility, including the facility and administrator's or director's name, telephone number, email (if applicable) and physical address.

22. Any information required by DCC to conduct criminal background investigation on staff.

23. Written transitional housing policies and procedures safeguarding confidential offender information (especially concerning substance abuse, mental and personal health) from unauthorized access and/or disclosure.

24. Offender records are uniform in format and content, and are bound to prevent accidental loss. All entries are chronologically listed, dated, and signed or initialed.

25. The transitional housing policy requires that when disclosing offender information pursuant to a written consent to disclose (release of information), written notice of prohibition of re-disclosure is also provided. Policy also requires all such releases of information to become a permanent part of the offender's record.

26. Transitional housing policy allows the release of pertinent medical information to medical personnel providing care in life-threatening situations and the offender's condition or situation precludes the possibility of obtaining the offender's or administrator's written authorization if obtaining such authorization would cause excessive delay in delivering medical attention. In such cases, policy requires the person releasing the information to document the details of what, when, to whom and why the information was released and inform the offender of the release.

27. Transitional housing policy requires staff to respond to such requests as subpoenas, court orders, search and arrest warrants.

28. Transitional housing policy prohibits staff from authorizing weekend and other travel or special passes to offenders; and that transitional housing staff honor DCC travel passes and immediately report violations in travel restrictions to DCC.

29. Transitional housing policy requires transitional housing staff to make written reports at least monthly of offender progress (positive and negative) to the assigned supervision officer, unless the offender exhibits violent and threatening behavior, endangering others, in which case, immediate notification is appropriate.

30. Transitional housing policy requires immediate DCC notification (upon awareness) of any offender who has escaped or absconded from the facility. Also policy requires prior notice (when possible) of any intentions to dismiss an offender from the program facility.

31. Transitional housing policy requires DCC, court or Parole Board authorization prior to accepting DCC offenders into the transitional housing facility/program.

32. Transitional housing policy requires the assigned DCC officer to be contacted before dismissing an offender from the transitional housing facility. Policy also requires all incidents and/or rule infractions to be documented in the offender's progress notes prior to any discharge action, unless the incident is a life threatening or violent situation. Such violent situations warrant local law enforcement and supervising officer contact.

33. Transitional housing resident rules allow immediate dismissal for acts of violence (verbal/physical and destruction of property), sexual assault and substance abuse.

34. Evidence that living quarters are accessible to offenders 24 hours a day and that there is staff present during structured activities.

35. Transitional housing facilities are free of alcohol and controlled substances as defined by law.