DSHS investigates complaints regarding domestic violence intervention treatment programs that provide assessments or any level of intervention services.

(1) Any person may submit a written complaint to DSHS if the person has the following concerns about a certified program:

(a) The program has acted in a way that places the identified victim, current partner, or children at risk; or

(b) The program has failed to follow standards in this chapter.

(2) Once it receives a complaint about a certified program, the department will:

(a) Determine that the complaint includes sufficient information to be deemed valid;

(b) Notify the program within fourteen days of the complaint being determined valid that the department has received a complaint about the program; and

(c) Notify the program by US Mail that an investigation has been initiated.

(3) The department may begin an investigation of a domestic violence intervention treatment program without a written complaint if the department believes that the program:

(a) Has placed the identified victim, current partner or children at risk; or

(b) Failed to follow the standards of this chapter.

(4) The investigation of a complaint against a domestic violence intervention treatment program may include:

(a) Contact with:

(i) The person making the complaint;

(ii) Other persons involved in the complaint; and

(iii) The treatment program;

(b) A request for written documentation of evidence; and

(c) An on-site visit to the program to review files or interview program staff.

(5) The department must complete its investigation within sixty days of beginning the investigation, unless circumstances warrant a longer period of time.

(6) The department will prepare written results of the complaint investigation.

(7) If the department decides that the treatment program behaved in a way that placed victims at risk or failed to meet the standards outlined in this chapter, the written results must include a decision regarding the status of the program's certification.

(8) If the department determines that a complaint against a domestic violence intervention treatment program is founded, the department may:

(a) Send a written warning to the treatment program;

(b) Suspend the treatment program's certification;

(c) Revoke the treatment program's certification; or

(d) Temporarily or indefinitely remove a program staff's designation as a trainee, staff, or supervisor.

(9) The department must send the written results of its investigation to the program.

(a) If any allegations were founded, the written results must be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, within twenty days after completing the investigation; and

(b) If all allegations were unfounded, the written results may be sent to the program by electronic mail. 

(10) The department will send a copy of the written results of the investigation to the person who made the complaint against the domestic violence intervention treatment program either by United States mail or electronic mail when feasible.