SOP_NUMBER: 107.07
TITLE: Peer Evaluator
REFERENCE_CODE: VB01-0010
DIVISION: Inmate Services Division (Office of Reentry Services)
TOPIC_AREA: 107 Policy - Counseling/Risk Reduction
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2022-05-02
WORD_COUNT: 1164
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106483
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/107.07/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes guidelines for the Peer Evaluator Program, which trains selected GDC staff to conduct quality assurance evaluations of cognitive behavioral programs including Thinking for a Change (T4C), Problem Solving Skills in Action (PSSIA), and Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT). Peer evaluators must meet specific competency requirements, complete specialized training, and follow operational procedures to ensure program integrity and consistent delivery across facilities.

KEY_TOPICS: peer evaluator, quality assurance evaluation, QA, cognitive behavioral programs, T4C, Thinking for a Change, PSSIA, Problem Solving Skills in Action, MRT, Moral Reconation Therapy, program integrity, staff training, Office of Reentry Services, program evaluation, facilitation practices

ATTACHMENTS:
  1. Peer Evaluator Application_Agreement to QA
     URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/107.07-att-1/
  4. Problem Solving Skills in Action (PSSIA) Facilitator Competency Evaluation Form
     URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/107.07-att-4/

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FULL TEXT:
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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|
|**Policy Number:** 107.07|**Effective Date:**5/2/2022|**Page Number:** 1 of 5|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:**<br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Office of Reentry Services)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**

The Office of Reentry Services (ORS) shall provide uniform administrative practices
and guidelines to follow for the organization and management of the Peer Evaluator
Program.

**II.** **Authority:**

A. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 125-2-01-.01;

B. GDC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s): 107.03 Staff Development, 107.04

Risk Needs Assessment, 107.05 Program Management, and 107.08 Cognitive
Behavioral Programs;

C. ACA Standards: 2CO-4F-01, 5-ACI-5E-06, and 5-ACI-5E-07; and

D. O.C.G.A. §42-2-11(c).

**III.** **Definitions:**

A. **Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)**     - MRT is a Cognitive Restructuring Program

designed to promote pro-social behavior incorporating the following elements:
confrontation and self-assessment, assessment of current relationships,
reinforcement of positive behavior and habits, positive identity formation,
enhancement of self-concept, decreasing hedonism, and developing higher stages
of moral reasoning. This group is an opened ended group that can be completed
within four (4) months.

B. **Peer Evaluator**     - Field staff who have completed specialized Peer Evaluator

training from ORS to conduct peer to peer Quality Assurance Evaluations.

C. **Problem Solving Skills in Action (PSSIA** ) - PSSIA is a cognitive behavioral

intervention that teaches cognitive skills. The intervention directly teaches
offenders the critical prosocial skills-alternatives to antisocial behavior that


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|
|**Policy Number:** 107.07|**Effective Date:** 5/2/2022|**Page Number:** 2 of 5|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Office of Reentry Services)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



address deficiencies in basic social skills, problem solving, anger management,
perspective taking, and empathy. This program is a closed ended eight (8) session
group.

D. **Quality Assurance Evaluation (QA)**     - Facilitation practices are reviewed by a

Social Service Program Consultant (SSPC) of ORS. QA Evaluations concentrate
on program integrity to ensure the program is delivered in the way it was designed.

G. **Thinking for a Change (T4C)**    - T4C is an integrated, cognitive behavioral change

program for offenders that include cognitive restructuring, skill building and
problem solving T4C focuses on the thinking skills that guide the behavior of
offenders, and attempts to replace well-established, maladaptive thinking patterns
with cognitive skills that can promote pro-social behavioral choices.

**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**

A. Application Process:


1. Staff interested in becoming a Peer Evaluator will complete Attachment 1, Peer

Evaluator Application/Agreement. The application must include a
recommendation from the applicant’s immediate supervisor;

2. Applications are forwarded to the ORS for review; and


3. Selected candidates will be scheduled for an interview with ORS staff before

final approval is made. Once candidates have been selected, the ORS will
schedule the necessary training for selected staff.


B. Selection and Training:


1. Peer Evaluator candidates for T4C must have successfully completed a


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|
|**Policy Number:** 107.07|**Effective Date:** 5/2/2022|**Page Number:** 3 of 5|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Office of Reentry Services)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



minimum of one (1) rotation of T4C. Candidates for PSSIA and MRT must
have at least six (6) months continuous facilitation of PSSIA and MRT.


2. Peer Evaluators must receive an assessment conducted by ORS that shows

competency in the following characteristics:


a. Above-average verbal skills;


b. Ability to relate positively and empathetically to staff and offenders while

maintaining a professional relationship that does not compromise rules and
regulations;

c. Sensitivity to group dynamics and the ability to instruct other staff on how

to stimulate groups and promote interest and high activity levels, while
maintaining adequate discipline;


d. Ability to instruct staff on how to challenge offenders without demeaning

them;


e. Ability to model above average interpersonal skills including:


i. Empathy;

ii. Effective problem-solving skills;

iii. Well-developed values;

iv. Rational and logical reasoning; and

v. Openness to new ideas.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|
|**Policy Number:** 107.07|**Effective Date:** 5/2/2022|**Page Number:** 4 of 5|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Office of Reentry Services)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



f. Experience in managing groups of poorly motivated individuals who may

be passively or aggressively hostile or critical;


g. Willingness to consider views that may not be consistent with their own;

and

h.  Must have a strong knowledge of Evidence Based Programs.

2. Once selected, Peer Evaluators will attend a training program to learn how to

effectively conduct a QA. Conducting two QAs are included in these training
hours.


C. Operational Guidelines:


1. Peer Evaluators will only conduct QAs on programs that they have been trained

in and have facilitated.

2. ORS staff will accompany the Peer Evaluator on their first two (2) QA

assignments and will evaluate the Peer Evaluator on their ability to relate to
staff being evaluated, ability to model pro-social traits, and attention to details.


3. ORS staff will provide feedback to the Peer Evaluator and make suggestions

for corrective action, if needed.


4. ORS staff will contact the Peer Evaluator to schedule specific sites or offices

for QA. The Peer Evaluator will have fifteen (15) working days from this
notification to complete the QA with that site or office.


5. Peer Evaluators will be scheduled to conduct a minimum of four (4) QA

evaluations per year. Travel requirements will be taken into consideration
when making these assignments.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|**Policy Name:**Peer Evaluator|
|**Policy Number:** 107.07|**Effective Date:** 5/2/2022|**Page Number:** 5 of 5|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Office of Reentry Services)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



6. The Peer Evaluator will complete a QA Evaluation report, using the

appropriate Competency Evaluation Form received in training and
(Attachments 2-4) specific to the program reviewed, within five (5) working
days of completing the QA visit. The QA forms are confidential and will be
forwarded only to the facilitator, the facilitator’s supervisor, and members of
the ORS Reentry and Cognitive Behavior Program Unit.


7. Peer Evaluators will not conduct QAs at their own work site.


8. ORS staff may remove staff from the role of Peer Evaluator if it is determined

that the individual is consistently not meeting the above standards.

**V.** **Attachments:**

Attachment 1: [Peer Evaluator Application/Agreement to QA](https://gdc.policyhub.com/PolicyHub/Documents.aspx?doc=242&rev=242)
[Attachment 2: Moral Reconation Therapy Competency Evaluation Form](https://gdc.policyhub.com/PolicyHub/Documents.aspx?doc=243&rev=243)
[Attachment 3: Thinking for a Change Competency Evaluation Form](https://gdc.policyhub.com/PolicyHub/Documents.aspx?doc=244&rev=244)
Attachment 4: Problem Solving Skills in Action Evaluation Form

**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:**

Upon completion, all competency evaluation forms should be kept on file, for review
by ORS, for one (1) year.