Frequently Asked Questions

Batterers Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP)

• What are the requirements to apply for BIPP Accreditation?
• How long does the accreditation process take?
• How can I check the status of my application for accreditation?
• How long is accreditation good for and how do I renew my accreditation?
• How do I revise my program information or add a new location site(s) where our program is providing direct services?
• How do I complete an individual TCIC and NCIC criminal background check (Guideline #1)?
• Where can I get information on approved BIPP and Family Violence trainings for completion of initial training hour requirements and staff development (CEUs)?
• How do I complete my peer to peer supervision (Guideline #4) requirement?
• How long does the program need to be?
• Can a participant attend more than one group session per week?
• Where do I find information on program curriculums (Guideline #15)?
• Are sample forms available to help with the accreditation requirements?
• Can I use training I attended before I applied for BIPP accreditation as initial training?
• How long do I have to update my Policy and Procedures to comply with the new guidelines?

 

What are the requirements to apply for BIPP Accreditation?

• Completion of 40 hours of initial training hour requirements (25 BIPP hours and 15 Family Violence hours). Please refer to Guidelines 1 and 2 for a list of pre-approved topics.
• If applying as an individual provider, the individual needs to complete the training hours.
• If applying as a program, at least the designee applying on behalf of the program needs to complete the required training hours.
• Submission of written compliance with the BIPP Accreditation Guidelines via a policy and procedure manual.
• A cooperative working agreement with a family violence shelter center or non-residential family violence center in your jurisdiction (county) or documentation of efforts to obtain a cooperative agreement.
• One-time payment of $300 to TDCJ.

Below is a link to our website where you can find the BIPP Accreditation Application, BIPP Accreditation Guidelines, a summary of the BIPP Accreditation Process, the accreditation renewal application, and a list of probationary and fully accredited providers.

Battering Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP)

 

How long does the accreditation process take?

The accreditation process can take up to 6-8 weeks. Once all required documents and the one time $300 application fee are received by TDCJ, the steps are as follows:

• An auditor is assigned to complete a desk audit.
• The desk audit results are reviewed by a supervisor.
• The applicant is contacted and advised of any missing items or needed revisions.
• The applicant has 30 days to resubmit all revisions to the auditor.
• If the applicant has successfully complied with all requirements, probationary accreditation will be granted.
• When a provider has at least 3 participants in group session(s), TDCJ-CJAD will schedule an on-site program compliance audit.
• If the on-site audit score meets the TDCJ-CJAD guidelines benchmark of at least 80% and 100% for all of the non-negotiable guidelines, full accreditation is granted.

 

How can I check the status of my application for accreditation?

An applicant can call the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Community Justice Assistance Division (TDCJ-CJAD) at (512) 305-9300 to check the status of their application.

 

How long is accreditation good for and how do I renew my accreditation?

Accreditation is good for three years from the time you or your program receives full accreditation status or renewal. At the end of each three year period you must submit an application for renewal.

 

How do I revise my program information or add a new location site(s) where our program is providing direct services?

Submit a revised application with the new program information. If you are updating your program information to include a new location site(s) where you are providing direct services, you will only need to revise page 2 of the application.

 

How do I complete an individual TCIC and NCIC criminal background check (Guideline #1)?

TCIC

Contact your local Texas Department of Public Safety offices or call MorphoTrust USA (formerly L1 Solutions) at (888) 467-2080 for the Identogo location nearest to your area to get a T.X.I. Review (state only criminal background check) completed.

Visit Identogo for online scheduling, locations across Texas, and forms.

NCIC

Step by step instructions on how to complete your NCIC fingerprint background check can be found on the FBI web page. Once you are on the website, just click on the step by step instructions link.

 

Where can I get information on approved BIPP and Family Violence trainings for completion of initial training hour requirements and staff development (CEUs)?

A list of TDCJ-CJAD approved trainings is disseminated via a BIPP Listserv. If you would like to be included on our BIPP Listserv and begin receiving information on upcoming approved trainings, please send a request via e-mail to BIPP.CJAD@tdcj.texas.gov.

 

How do I complete my peer to peer supervision (Guideline #4) requirement?

If you are an individual provider or a Program Director/Coordinator you will need to conduct your peer to peer supervision with another individual provider who has full accreditation status or a Program Director/Coordinator who works for a program with Full Accreditation status.

How often is peer to peer supervision required and for how long?

At a minimum, peer to peer supervision must be completed once every four weeks for a minimum of one hour.

The Program Director/Coordinator of a program, which either has full or probationary accreditation, is responsible for conducting and documenting the staff supervision of the BIPP staff that provide direct services in the program.

How often is staff supervision required and for how long?

At a minimum, staff supervision must be completed once every four weeks for a minimum of one hour.

 

How long does the program need to be?

Per Guideline 11, a program should consist of at least 36 hours of group sessions in a minimum of 18 weekly sessions. Breaks, assessment and orientation are not to be included towards the 36 hours.

 

Can a participant attend more than one group session per week?

No, a participant can only attend one group session per week (Guideline #11).

 

Where do I find information on program curriculums (Guideline #15)?

Providers and programs have the autonomy to use the program curriculum of their choice as long as it includes all of the required elements in Guideline #15.

 

Can I use training I attended before I applied for BIPP accreditation as initial training?

Yes. Any BIPP or family violence training completed within one year of accreditation application or within one year from a staff members date of hire can be counted as initial training hours.

 

How long do I have to update my Policy and Procedures to comply with the new guidelines?

December 31, 2014, is the deadline for previously accredited programs to update their Policy and Procedures to comply with the April 2014 revision Guidelines.

Below are some recommendations for program curriculums:

1. Alternatives to Domestic Aggression offers the Bridges Curriculum as a free download.
2. The Alternatives to Domestic Violence: A Homework Manual for Battering Intervention Groups (3rd Edition) is available at Amazon.
3. Creating a Process of Change for Men who Batter
4. The Stop Domestic Violence Program: Group Leader’s Manual (3rd Edition Revised and Updated) is available at Amazon.

 

Are sample forms available to help with the accreditation requirements?

Yes, sample forms are available on the CJAD Battering Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP) webpage.