SOP 107.03: Staff Development

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Staff Development|Policy Name:Staff Development|Policy Name:Staff Development|
|Policy Number: 107.03|Effective Date: 06/10/2025|Page Number: 1 of 5|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

I. Introduction and Summary:

It shall be the policy of the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) to provide
guidance to Counselors, Multi-Functional Correctional Officers, and Counseling
Supervisors for initial and ongoing staff development activities so that skill levels for
services provided to offenders can be maintained and improved.

II. Authority

A. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 125-2-1-.06 and 125-4-1-.04;

B. GDC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): 107.05, Program Management and

Cognitive Behavioral Programs; 506.08, Correctional Training Requirements, and
508.08, Staff Development and Training; and

C. ACA Standards: 2-CO-4F-01 and 5-ACI-5E-07.

III. Definitions:

As used in this SOP, these terms are defined as follows.

A. Behavior Health Counselor (BHC) On-the-Job Training (OJT) Checklist - A

list that provides On-the-Job-Training and policy numbers or the responsibilities
of and duties to be performed by newly hired Behavior Health Counselors and
Multi-Functional Correctional Officers at all GDC facilities.

B. Multi-Functional Correctional Officer (MFCO) - Correctional Officers

assigned to the Mental Health Unit who have received additional training in mental
health and case management. They assist in the provision of services to offenders
in the Mental Health Supportive Living Units, Specialized Mental Health
Treatment Units, and other designated Mental Health Units.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name: Staff Development|Policy Name: Staff Development|Policy Name: Staff Development|
|Policy Number: 107.03|Effective Date: 00/00/2024|Page Number: 2 of 5|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

C. Social Service Program Consultant (SSPC) - Office of Reentry Services Staff

who provide support and assistance within Counseling Services at their assigned
facilities.

IV. Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:

A. During the first week of employment, all new hires shall complete Pre-Service

Orientation. Counselor Supervisors are responsible for ensuring all Counselors and
MFCOs have a completed Attachment 1, Behavior Health Counselor On-the-Job
Training Checklist (BHC OJT Checklist), and is placed in their personnel and
management files within the first six (6) weeks of employment.

B. All Counselors must successfully complete Initial Correctional Counselor

Training during the first twelve (12) months of employment, even if rehired by
GDC. All employees assigned to full-time Counselor positions will have sufficient
training and experience to provide effective guidance to offenders. The required
prerequisite training courses are as follows and are available online:

1. Online Counselor Advisement - Sentence Computation;

2. Parole Process;

3. Performance Incentive Credit (PIC);

4. Grievances;

5. Offender Classification;

6. Americans with Disabilities Act overview; and

Note: Completion of prerequisite training shall be recorded in Part 1 of
the BHC OJT Checklist (Attachment 1).

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name: Staff Development|Policy Name: Staff Development|Policy Name: Staff Development|
|Policy Number: 107.03|Effective Date: 00/00/2024|Page Number: 3 of 5|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

C. SSPCs with the Office of Reentry Services will assist with the BHC OJT Checklist

process at all GDC facilities. SSPC trainers within each Region will meet twice a
month with each new BHCs in their Region virtually to discuss any questions or
concerns that staff may have about Part 1 of the BHC OJT Checklist.

1. The first portion of the BHC OJT Checklist will be completed prior to

attending Initial Correctional Counseling Training (ICCT).

2. BHC will observe and complete each portion on the BHC OJT Checklist and

bring the required examples and case notes to ICCT with them when they
attend.

3. Once the new BHC has completed ICCT, they will return to their facility to

complete Part II of the BHC OJT Checklist.

a. The SSPC Trainer for their Region will continue to meet with BHC post
ICCT graduation for 30-60 days or virtually as needed.

i. Additional time will be allotted on an as-needed basis in order to ensure

BHCs meet the criteria provided in training, as reflected by the BHC
OJT Checklist.

b. GDC BHC Supervisors shall retain the BHC OJT Checklist in their file for

audit purposes.

D. The Designated Supervisor:

1. May provide, or arrange for the provision of, at least one (1) in-house in
service training activity per quarter.

2. Will ensure that Counselors complete all required in-service training and

maintain records reflecting staff’s compliance with that requirement.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name: Staff Development|Policy Name: Staff Development|Policy Name: Staff Development|
|Policy Number: 107.03|Effective Date: 00/00/2024|Page Number: 4 of 5|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

a. All Facilitators are required to receive training in specialized Cognitive

Behavioral and Substance Use Programs before facilitating that
programming with offenders.

b. Facilitators shall attend annual, required boosters for each program they

are trained to facilitate, as noted in the respective programs’ policies.

3. Will ensure that all Counselors are trained in the Principles of Effective

Intervention.

4. Will be responsible for covering the Principles of Effective Intervention during

monthly meetings, and this shall be documented in the minutes.

E. All BHCs shall receive training on all Counseling Services SOP revisions within

thirty (30) days.

1. The Supervising Counselor will:

a. Provide this training; and

b. Keep minutes of this training.

2. To acknowledge receipt of said training, Counselors will sign Attachment 3,

SOP Update Signature Sheet.

a. The signed Attachment 3 will be placed in their management and personnel

files.

F. All staff identified to attend Programs Training with the Office of Reentry Services

will sign Attachment 2, Program Delivery Agreement Form.

1. The form requires the signature of the Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment

and/or Assistant Superintendent.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name: Staff Development|Policy Name: Staff Development|Policy Name: Staff Development|
|Policy Number: 107.03|Effective Date: 00/00/2024|Page Number: 5 of 5|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

2. Upon completion of the training, staff agree to facilitate offenders in group

programming in the way that was designed by the creator and instructed by the
Office of Reentry Services within thirty (30) days of return to their institution
or during the next program cycle.

a. This requirement will be waived if the Counselor is assigned as a Case

Manager or back-up group facilitator.

G. Counselor Supervisors or Warden’s Designee are required to attend the Regional

Supervisor Training conducted by the Office of Reentry Services.

1. BHCs should, also, attend the Regional Training conducted by the Office of

Reentry Services.

V. Attachments:

Attachment 1: Behavior Health Counselor On -the-Job Training Checklist
Attachment 2: Program Delivery Agreement Form
Attachment 3: SOP Update Signature Sheet

VI. Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:

Upon completion, the Original Attachments 1, 2, and 3 shall be retained in the
personnel file, and copies shall be placed in the supervisor’s management folder for
audit purposes.