SOP_NUMBER: 107.03
TITLE: Staff Development
REFERENCE_CODE: VB01-0003
DIVISION: Inmate Services Division
TOPIC_AREA: 107 Policy-Counseling/Risk Reduction
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2025-06-10
WORD_COUNT: 1145
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106470
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/107.03/
SUMMARY:
This policy outlines the initial and ongoing staff development requirements for Counselors, Multi-Functional Correctional Officers (MFCOs), and Counseling Supervisors. It establishes mandatory pre-service orientation, completion of prerequisite training courses, Initial Correctional Counselor Training, and ongoing in-service training to ensure staff maintain and improve their skill levels in providing services to offenders. The policy includes requirements for on-the-job training checklists, program delivery agreements, and documentation of all training activities.
KEY_TOPICS: staff development, counselor training, multi-functional correctional officer, MFCO, on-the-job training, OJT checklist, initial correctional counselor training, ICCT, in-service training, cognitive behavioral programs, program delivery, mental health training, prerequisite training, Principles of Effective Intervention, behavioral health counselor
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Behavior Health Counselor On-the-Job Training Checklist
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/107.03-att-1/
2. Program Delivery Agreement
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/107.03-att-2/
3. Staff Development/Counseling Services - SOP Update Signature Sheet
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/107.03-att-3/
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FULL TEXT:
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|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.