The focus of the Public Safety Program is to keep the community and past victims safe while providing treatment and supervision to individuals with developmental disabilities who pose a risk to public safety. The Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) coordinates statewide supports for offenders with developmental disabilities through a variety of activities. For a commonly asked questions regarding Act 248 refer to the Act 248 Info sheet.
- Liaison with courts, Vermont Department of Corrections, families, guardians, and agencies when individuals with disabilities are going through the criminal justice system.
- Statewide respite and crisis supports for offenders with developmental disabilities.
- Referral and program development to meet the needs of community safety while providing supervision and treatment to offenders.
- Supervision of offenders committed to the Commissioner of the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL) under Act 248.
- Ongoing training and support of case managers and direct support staff who work with offenders through quarterly meetings of the Sex Offender Discussion Group.
- Investigation and research on best practices for supervision of sex offenders.
The statute related to Public Safety Program is Act 248, Title 18: Health, Chapter 206: Care for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. Vermont’s civil commitment law for people with intellectual disabilities.
For information on Public Safety Program, contact the Developmental Disabilities Services Division Public Safety Specialist at 802-241-0407.
Policies & Guidelines
- Protocols for Evaluating Less Restrictive Placements & Supports for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Who Pose a Risk to Public Safety
These protocols establish guidelines for developmental disabilities service agencies to follow when evaluating less restrictive supervision and placements for people with developmental disabilities who pose a risk to public safety. The intent is to move people towards greater independence consistent with the needs of public safety. These protocols are to be followed for all persons who receive public safety funds as part of their home and community-based services budget.
- Community Notification and Safety Procedures for Sex Offenders with Developmental Disabilities, Recinding Memo
- Change in Supervisory Status Procedures and VCIC/Law Enforcement Notification Form
Publications
- Vermont Best Practices Manual: Supervision and Treatment of Sex Offenders with Developmental Disabilities
This 270 page manual was written and reviewed by individuals with extensive practical experience, including therapists, attorneys, program managers, Corrections staff, and Developmental Disabilities Services Division Public Safety program staff.
- Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale for Sexual Abusers with Intellectual Disabilities (TIPS-ID) - This manual describes the Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale for Sexual Abusers with Intellectual Disabilities (TIPS-ID) Research Version 2005.
- Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Who Pose a Public Safety Risk - A report to the Vermont Legislature in 2010 about individuals with developmental disabilities who pose a public safety risk.
- Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) Manual
The Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) (McGrath, Cummings & Lasher, 2012) is a revised version of the SOTNPS (McGrath & Cummings, 2001, 2003, 2008). Developed through assistance grants from the USDOJ-Office of Justice Programs. The SOTIPS is a statistically-derived dynamic measure designed to aid clinicians, correctional caseworkers, and probation and parole officers in assessing risk, treatment and supervision needs, and progress among adult males who have been convicted of one or more qualifying sexual offense and committed at least one of these sexual offenses after their 18th birthday. - Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) Score Sheet - This sheet is to be used in conjunction with the SOTIPS Manual.
- SOTIPS Presentation by Robert McGrath, MA, Licensed Psychologist (April 6, 2012) - Co-author's presentation on how to use the SOTIPS tool.
- Violent Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (VOTIPS) Score Sheet - Score sheet to be used in combination with the understanding of the dynamic risk factors presented in the SOTIPS manual. This sheet should only be used with offenders who have only violent offending behaviors.
Forms
Forms for the Public Safety Program can be found with the Developmental Disabilities Services Division Forms or in the Document Library on this website.