The Quarterly | DCS Employee Newsletter Issue 8 | Page 30

Q:   Will   I   have   to   follow   rules   or   regulations   while   in   an   RPH   program?    A:   Yes.   Each   RPH   provider   has   rules   and   regulations   regarding   curfews,   basic   house   rules,   and   expectations   of   behavior.   Recovery   residences   will   have   requirements   regarding   substance   abuse   treatment.   All   rules   and   regulations   will   be   explained   to   residents   upon   their   arrival   and   provided to them in writing.    Q:   I   am   an   employee   of   DCS,   the   Department   of   Corrections,   or   the   Accountability   Courts   of   Georgia.   How   can   I   request   RPH   placement   for   an   individual   under   my   supervision?    A:   Your   request   must   be   submitted   through   the   online   forms   available   to   DCS,   GDC,   and   CACJ   employees.   Please   email   ​[email protected]   if   you   need   assistance   regarding   linkage   to the appropriate form.    HOW   TO   BECOME   AN   RPH PROVIDER     Q:   I   am   interested   in   becoming   an   active provider. How do I apply?    A:   There   are   two   application   cycles   per   year,   one   in   Spring   and   one   in   Fall.   The   schedule   for   the   application   cycle   is   as   follows:    ● March   (Spring)   and   September   (Fall)   -   Complete   the   Intent   to   Apply   form.   The   DCS   Housing   website   will   be   updated   with   a   link   to   the   form   from   March   1   -   March   31   and   September   1   -   September   30.  ● April   (Spring)   and   October   (Fall)   -   Attend   an   RPH   Application   Training   Workshop.   Several   training   sessions   will   be   held   throughout   the   state,   so   you   can   attend   the   one   most   convenient   to   you.   A   webinar   will   also   be   available   if   you   cannot   attend   in   person.   Registration   links   will   be   provided   to   you   via   email   after   you   submit   your   Intent   to   Apply.  ● May   (Spring)   and   November   (Fall)   -   Submit   your   RPH   application.   The   deadline   is   the final day of the month.    Q:   What   are   the   requirements   for   RPH properties?    A:   RPH   applicants   must   provide   a   deed   or   current   lease   for   their   property(s).   If   property(s)   are   leased,   verification   from   the   property   owner(s)   approving   the   use   of   each   property   for   RPH   is   required.   Applicants   must   also   provide   verification   that   each   property   is   zoned   appropriately   according   to   local   zoning   and   housing   standards.   Please   refer   to   Section   13   (Habitability   Standards)   of   the   ​RPH   Guidelines   for   all   standards   regarding   bedrooms,   bathrooms,   square   footage,   living   conditions,   and   safety.    Q:   How   do   I   know   if   my   property   is   zoned correctly?    A:   Every   locality   (county   and/or   city)   has   zoning   codes   which   can   differ   based   on   your   property   location,   zoning   type,   services   offered,   number   of   residents,   or   other   factors.   Contact   your   local   planning/zoning   authority   to   determine   the   specific   requirements   for   your   property/properties.   The   ​RPH   Zoning   Compliance   Form   is   available   for   download   on   the   DCS   Housing   website.   RPH   applicants   must   obtain   written   verification   of   zoning   by   providing   a   signed   ​RPH   Zoning   Compliance   Form​,   OR   a   letter   from   your   local   zoning/planning   office   on   their   official   letterhead   confirming   that   the   property/properties   (addresses   must   be   included)   are   properly   zoned   for RPH purposes.    Q:   Do   I   have   to   be   a   nonprofit   organization to apply?    A:   No.   RPH   applicants   can   be   nonprofit,   for-profit, or sole proprietors.    Q:   What   paperwork   will   I   need   to   submit   for   my   organization   upon   initial application?    A:   Depending   on   your   organization   type,   you   will   need   to   submit   the   following:    ● Nonprofit   organizations   must   provide   their   501(c)(3)   tax-exemption   determination   letter   and   registration   with   the Secretary of State.  ● For-profit   organizations   must   provide   registration   with   the   Secretary of State.  ● Sole   proprietors   must   ​register   with   the   Georgia   Department   of   Revenue   as   a   sole   proprietor   and   obtain   a   business license.    Q:   What   compensation   will   I   receive?    A:   $750   -   $850   per   person   (depending   on   the   individual’s   tier   level)   per   month   for up to six (6) months.     Q: How will I be compensated?    All   invoices   are   created,   signed,   and   processed   electronically   through   Docusign.   Funds   are   dispersed   via   direct deposit.    Q:   Am   I   required   to   have   a   house   manager?    A:   No,   unless   your   facility   houses   10   or   more   sex   offenders.   If   your   facility   houses   9   or   fewer   sex   offenders,   on-call   staff   must   be   available   to   residents   on   a   24/7   basis.   Within   any   RPH   facility,   a   person   in   this   position   could   be   beneficial   in   assisting   the   grantee   with   the   most   efficient   operation   of   the   program.    Q:   I   and/or   members   of   my   staff   have   previously   been   convicted   of   a   felony.   Can   I   become   an   RPH   provider?    A:   Yes,   in   some   cases.   Please   refer   to   Section   5   of   the   ​RPH   Guidelines   for   requirements   regarding   background   checks   for   grantees   and   staff.   RPH   applicants   and   staff   members   with   prior   convictions   for   sexual   offenses   are   not eligible.     Q:   I   would   like   to   provide   housing   for   sex   offenders.   Are   there   any   additional requirements?    A:   Yes.   Please   refer   to   Section   10   of   the   RPH Guidelines​.    Q:   Where   can   I   download   the   RPH   Application?    A:   The   RPH   Application   is   revised   as   needed   prior   to   each   application   cycle,   and   thus   is   not   available   for   download.   The   application   packet   is   provided   to   applicants   during   the   RPH   Application   Workshops.          The goal of the Reentry Partnership  Housing program (RPH) is to provide  short-term housing assistance to help  stabilize an individual under supervision’s  reentry process to enhance their ability to  remain crime free.    For more information on becoming a  reentry housing provider, please click ​here  to be redirected to a Google Site  maintained by the DCS Housing Unit.