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SCREENINGANDINTAKEFORMS
For
Non-EmergencyDomesticViolencePrograms
PreparedbyDeadriaBoyland
December2016
AcknowledgementsSpecialthankstoNewHopeDV/SAServices,YWCAYakima,NewBeginningsforBatteredWomenandtheirChildren,KingCounty,LowerValleyCrisis&SupportServices,YakimaCounty,EmergencySupportShelter,CowlitzCounty,LifeWire,KingCounty,YWCAofClarkCounty,YWCAofTacoma/PierceCounty,KoreanWomen’sAssociation,PierceCounty,CrisisSupportNetwork,PacificCounty,DomesticViolenceCenterofGreysHarborCounty,HealthFamiliesofClallamCounty,RoomOne,OkanoganCounty,HumanResponseNetwork,LewisCounty,whokindlymadetheirmaterialsavailabletousandwereuniformlygenerouswiththeirinsight.
Iwouldalsoliketothanktheadvisorygroupwhohelpeddesignthemodelformsanddevelopthequestionsforthescreeningandguidelines:BeckyJackson,NewBeginnings;ErinnGailey;Anne-MarieSchwerin,YWCAWallaWalla;KathrynCohenYWCAClarkCounty,DeidreEvansLifewireKingCounty,DebbieGonzalezNewHopeGrantCounty,AbigailMottYWCAYakima,StephanieBarrYWCAClarkCounty.
Lastbutnotleast,aspecialthankstothestaffattheWashingtonStateCoalitionagainstDomesticViolenceforsharingtheirexpertise.SpecialthankstoJudyChen,LeighHofheimer,BeccaCampbell,ReedForesterandKellyStarr.
ThisprojectwassupportedbythefundingfromtheWashingtonStateDepartmentofSocialandHealthServices.PointsofviewinthisdocumentarethoseoftheauthorsanddonotnecessarilyrepresenttheofficialpositionorpoliciesoftheWashingtonStateofDepartmentofSocialHealthServices.
IntroductionOneofthevaluesofouradvocacyworkistocontinuallyexamineandreevaluateourpracticesand exploreways to improve our services on behalf of survivors. Even though our advocacyprogramsofferaricharrayofservicesforsurvivorsbeyondemergencyshelter,formanypeople,“seekingshelter”isstillahighlyvisibleandcommonlyrecognizedoptionforhelp.Weknowthatshelterisnotenough.Weknowthatsurvivor’sneedsarecomplexandthatweoftendon’thavethecommunityresourcesthatwewant.Andyet,survivorstellusthatgettingthroughourdoorscanbeaconfusingandoverwhelmingexperience.Survivor-centeredadvocacypracticepushesustoquestionhowwearescreeningpeoplewhoareseekinghelpfromourprogramsandasksustothinkaboutthewaysweinadvertentlycreatebarrierstoourservices.Thisreportdescribesour findings and recommendations following an assessment of the screening and intakeprocessesof13domesticviolencesheltersand2community-baseddomesticviolenceprograms.
Thingstokeepinmind
Ø Screeningformsshouldbebrief,includestaffinstructionsandprompts,orframingintroductoryorexplanatorysentencesthathelpthecallerunderstandtheprocess.Additionally,screeningquestionsshouldbelimitedandfocusedon:thesurvivor’spriorities;understandingwhatthesurvivoridentifiesasriskstothemselvesortheirchildren;andthethreatsposedbytheabuserthatimpactsafetyforthecallerortheirchildren.
Ø ShelterScreeningsshouldleadwiththeintentiontoprovidesafetyandadvocacyservicesfor
individualsexperiencingarangeofabusivetacticsfromtheirpartner.
Ø Shelterscreeningsshoulddetermineeligibilitybasedonthesurvivor’sperceptionandunderstandingoftheriskstheyarefacingfromtheirabuser.Determinationofsheltereligibilityshouldgobeyondthelimitedlegaldefinitionsofdomesticviolencefoundinstatute.
Ø Bothshelterscreeningsandintakeformsshouldincludeexplanatoryinstructionsandguidelines
withpromptsthatguidetheadvocateandparticipantthroughtheprocessandexplainthepurposeofthequestions.
Ø Bothshelterscreeningsandintakeformsshouldincludestaffpromptsthatremindadvocatesto:
explainthepurposeofthequestions;describetheiradvocacyservices;provideinformationaboutaccommodations;offertimelyneededservices,offerbreaksduringtheprocessandcheckforunderstandingwiththeparticipant.
Ø Programsprovideongoingtrainingforstaff,volunteersandreliefworkersabouttheshelter
screeningandintaketobuildconsistencyandasharedunderstandingaboutthepurposeoftheseprocesses.
1
Non-EmergencyDVProgramScreening
Date_____/______/_____Advocate:
Thankyouforcallingourprogram.Howcanweassistyoutoday? Pleasedescribeyoursituationandwhatpromptedyoutocallourprogram. Tip:Pleasefamiliarizeyourselfwiththequestionsaheadoftime.ThisisatooltoassistyouinunderstandingtheneedsoftheparticipantsothatyouareequippedtoprovidetheappropriatesupportThankyouforsharingyourstorywithme.I’msorryyouareexperiencingthischallengeinyourlife.Iwouldliketoaskyouafewquestions,sothatIcanprovidethemostappropriateservicestoyou.ParticipantFirst&LastName _______ Areyouinterestedincomingintodayorwouldyoulikeforustosetupanappointmentwithanadvocate?
Assesslevelofdanger
Screen
Screenintoprogram
Provideresources
Call911? Assistcallerincalling911?
Assesslevelofdanger
Screenparticipantintoyourprogram
2
WewanttokeepyourconncetionwithusasconfidentialaspossiblesoIwouldliketogooverthebestwaystoconnectwithyoubyphone.SafePhoneNumberwithAreaCode( ) Isitokaytoleavemessages?qYesqNoIfyes,whatspecificallyshouldthemessagesay? Whoelsemightansweryourphone? ______________ Istheabusivepartnerlivinginthehome?qYesqNoWhatisyourrelationshipwiththepersonwhoishurtingyou?________________________________Isitstillokaytocallthesafenumberprovided?qYesqNoOurprogramprovidesmanydifferentservices.Canyousharewithmewhatservicesyoumightbeinterestedin?(Thisisalsoagreattimetosharemoreinformationaboutyourprogram)□Supportgroups □LegalAdvocacy □MentalHealthsupport□Children’sServices □ChemicalDependencysupport □HousingAdvocacy□OneonOneadvocacyandSupport □other
Wehavechildren’sservices.Willyoubebringinganychildrenwithyou?_________whatareyourchildrensages?________________Ifyes,howmany?____________Whattypeofservicesdoyouthinkmightbesupportivetoyourkidsatthistime?_______________
Emergency&BasicNeedsResources:
• Foodbank• Rentalassistanceprograms• Othershelters/Dayprograms• SexualAssaultservices• Legalassistance• Financialresources• Healthclinics• Localcommunitycenters• Libraries• Otherresources
ProvideResources
3
SafetyPlanningPleasesafetyplanbeforedisconnectingwiththecaller.Oftenfolkswhocontactournon-emergencyprogramsarestillconnectedtotheirabuser.Theymightbetryingtodecideonlifeoptionsandneedtoreachouttoseewhatserviceswillsupporttheirdecisions.Theymaynothaveanyinterestinendingtherelationship.That’sok!Wecanstillhelpthemplantostayassafeaspossible.Caller’sSafetyPlan:
Safetyplanningisanongoingconversationwithasurvivorandmayormaynotbeaformalorwrittenplan.Safetyplanningstrategiesshouldberelevanttothesurvivors’priorities,decisionsandrisks.Theplanningprocessshouldbedynamicandflexibletomeetthesurvivors’changingcircumstances.Davies,J.DomesticViolenceAdvocacy:ComplexLives/DifficultChoices,2,secondedition,2014
Asafetyplanistailoredtoeachindividualandmayneedtoadjustastheirsituationchanges.Calling911:Ontherareoccasionthatyouassistedthecallerincontacting911documentthathere.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Thanksforyourpatiencewithallthesequestions.Nowitisyourturn,doyouhaveanyquestionsforme?________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
4
Non-EmergencyDVProgramScreeningGuidelines
Asseslevelofd
anger
Date,Advocate’sname Thisisimportantinformationfornotingwhensomeonefirstcontactedyourprogram.
“Thankyouforcallingourprogram.Howcanweassistyoutoday? Pleasedescribeyoursituationandwhatpromptedyoutocallourprogram.”
Thankthecallerforreachingouttoyourprogram.Thisshowsyouareavailableandreadytosupport.
Assesslevelofdanger Whilelisteningtothecalleryoushouldbeabletoassessthelevelofdanger.Forexample;
• Abuserinthebackgroundyelling• Calleriswhisperingorisafraidtotalk• Callerisafraidtostayanylongerinthe
residenceandispackedandreadytogo.
Callin
g911
Callersoundsliketheyareinimmediatedanger
Youcanaskifthecallerwouldlikeforyoutoassistthemincalling911.Thiswouldrequireyoutoobtaintheirlocationandotherinformation.
Thisisnotanoptionforeveryone
Pleasebepreparedtodiscussthesomeoftheconsequencesthatcouldresultincalling911.
• Anarrestcouldhappenanditcouldbeyou,yourpartner,orboth
• Concernsaboutdeportation• Whatwillhappentothechildren?•
5
Screen
participan
tintoyourprogram
“Thankyouforsharingyourstorywithme.I’msorryyouareexperiencingthischallengeinyourlife.Iwouldliketoaskyouafewquestions,soIcanprovideyouwiththemostappropriateservices.”
Again,thankthemforsharingtheirstorywithyou.Folksarevulnerableduringthistimeandtheyaretakingariskbysharingpersonalinformationbeforetheyevenknowifyouwillbeabletohelp.
ParticipantFirst&LastName Youmightnotthinkhavingthelastnameoftheparticipantisimportantbutmostnon-emergencyprogramscanservemanypeopleatonce.It’slikelythatmanypeoplewillhavethesamefirstname.
“Areyouinterestedincomingintodayorwouldyoulikeforustosetupanappointmentwithanadvocate?”
Noteveryoneisinanemergencysituationandmightwanttomakeanappointment.Thisalsoallowsyoutheopportunityto:
• safetyplan• discussresourcesinthecommunity• giveanideaofwhattoexpectatan
appointment• getdocumentsreadyifneeded• planforarideorbusdirections• getchildcareifneeded• workaroundtheirworkschedule
“WewanttokeepyourconnectionwithusasconfidentialaspossiblesoIwouldliketogooverthebestwaystoconnectwithyoubyphone.“
Ifthecallersaysit’sokforyoutocallthemit’simportanttodiscusssafetyplanningwhileusingthephone.It’salsoimportanttoknowiftheabuserisstillinthehomeandmayanswerthephone.
SafePhoneNumberwithAreaCode“Isitokaytoleavemessages?”
Makethedistinctionofcallingvs.leavingamessage.Itmightbeoktocallthephonebutnotleaveamessage.Areacodesareimportantwithcellphones.Noteveryoneislocalandyouwillneedtheareacodetocallthemback.
6
Screen
participan
tintoyourprogram
“Ifyes,whatspecificallyshouldthemessagesay?”
Thecallermightwantyoutohaveasecretphraseplanned.Forexample:“HithisisSandyfromAvon;theknittinggrouponPike;orthelocalyogaclass.Iwillcallbacktomorrow.”
“Whoelsemightansweryourphone?” Thecallermightnotthinkthatsomeoneelsewillanswertheirphonesoit’salwaysgoodtogetclarificationandplanforallpossibilities.
“Istheabusivepartnerlivinginthehome?”
Thisquestionwillhelpyouunderstandwhythecallermightbespeakingquietlyand/ornotengagingwithyouatthetimeofyourcall.
“Whatisyourrelationshipwiththeabuser?”
It’shelpfultoknowwhatroletheabusivepersonplaysinthelifeofthecaller.Theabusercouldcontrolwhenthecallerleavesthehouseand/orhowtheygettotheirappointments.Youshouldbepreparedtoprovidesomehelpfultipsandsafetyplanningonhowtogettoyouroffice.
“Isitstillokaytocallthesafenumberprovided?”
Whyaskthisagain?Afterthepreviousquestionsthecallermayhavedecidedthatit’snotagoodideaforyoutocallback.Nowisthetimetotalkaboutasafewaytocommunicate.
“Ourprogramprovidesmanydifferentservices.Canyousharewithmewhatservicesyoumightbeinterestedin?”
Aftersharingwhatservicesyouprovideit’sagoodideatouncoverwhatthecallermightbeinterestedin.Theymightbeabletoconnecttootherresourcesbeforecomingtotheappointment.
“Wehavechildren’sservices,willyoubebringinganychildrenwithyou?”
Sharingthatyouhaveservicesforkidssaysyouareopentonotjustservingthecallerbutthechildrenaswell.
“Whattypeofservicesdoyouthinkmightbesupportivetoyourkidsatthistime?”
Byaskingthisquestionyougetasmallwindowintowhatthechildrenmightneedandwhatyoumightneedtoprovideresourcesfor.
7
ProvideRe
sources
Providethecallerwithresourcesinthearea.
• Foodbank• Rentalassistanceprograms• Othershelters/Dayprograms• SexualAssaultservices• Legalassistance
Safetyplanbeforeyoudisconnectwiththecaller.
Oftenfolkswhocontactournon-emergencyprogramsarestillconnectedtotheirabuser.Theymightbetryingtodecideonlifeoptionsandneedtoreachouttoseewhatserviceswillsupporttheirdecisions.Theymaynothaveanyinterestinendingtherelationship.That’sok!Wecanstillhelpthemplantostayassafeaspossible.Safetyplanningisanongoingconversationwithasurvivorandmayormaynotbeaformalorwrittenplan.Safetyplanningstrategiesshouldberelevanttothesurvivors’priorities,decisionsandrisks.Theplanningprocessshouldbedynamicandflexibletomeetthesurvivors’changingcircumstances.Davies,J.DomesticViolenceAdvocacy:ComplexLives/DifficultChoices,2,secondedition,2014
Calling911:Ontherareoccasionthatyouassistedthecallerincontacting911documentthathere.
Thisdoesnothappenoften,howeverifyouassistedthecallerincalling911,documenttheinformationincasethepolicedepartmentcallsyoubackorfollowsupformoreinformation.
QuestionsNOTonthisform:Toomanyquestionscanbeoverwhelming.Ifyoudonotseequestionsonthisformthatyounormallyask,pleaseconsiderputtingthesequestionsonanoptionalformforthemtofilloutandgivebacktoyoulater.
Consideralternativestoaskingalotofquestionsonyourforms.Additionalquestions,liketheonesbelow,canbeonahandoutthatparticipantsfilloutontheirowntimeandreturntoyou.
• Courtorder,policeinvolvement• Veteranormilitarystatus• Additionaldemographicsorneedsof
children(canthisbecollectedwiththechildren’sadvocate?
8
Non-EmergencyDVProgramIntake
Name__________________________Date_____________Interpreter__________________CellNumber______________________LastAddress______________________________City______________________State_________________ZipCode:__________________ID# DateofBirth
Tip:PleasefamiliarizeyourselfwiththeIntakequestionsaheadoftime.ThisisatooltoassistyouinunderstandingtheneedsoftheparticipantsothatyouareequippedtoprovidetheappropriatesupportWelcomingstatement:“Ihopewewillbeabletoprovideyouwiththeresourcesyouneedandifnot,guideyouintherightdirection.Ourprogramwelcomeseveryone–andweopenourdoorstoindividualswhoreachouttousfromdifferentcultures,raceandethnicities,fromavarietyofreligiousbackgrounds,folkswithdiversegenderidentitiesandsexualorientations,folkswithhiddenorvisibledisabilities,folkswhohavesubstanceusechallenges,folkswithmoneyornomoney–justliketheworldaroundus.”Tip:Wheneverpossible,beforeyoubeginthepaperwork,taketheparticipants(includingchildren)onatourofyourprogram.Providethemwithanopportunitytogetacquaintedwithanunfamiliarplace.Sharethehighlightsofyourprogrambeforeyougettothepersonalquestionsonyourform.Thisallowsfolktimetogetcomfortableandappreciatethegoalofyourprogram.AccessibilitywithinourFacilitiesDidyounoticeanythingonourtourthatmightpreventyoufromgettingaround?Doyouhaveanyconcernsorhesitationsaboutusingourprogram?Doyouhaveanyaccessneedsthatweshouldknowabout?qNoqYesPleasedescribe:_____________________________________________________
Introductionsandoverviewofyourprogram
Letusgettoknowyoubetter
Wewanttodoourbesttosupportyou
Introductionsandoverviewofyourprogram
9
.Tip:Shiftingtheconversation–sharingthestory“Thenextquestionisfocusedonsharingwhatbroughtyoutoourprogram.Pleasetakeyourtimeandfeelfreetostopifyouneedtotakeabreak.Pleasesharewhateveryoufeelcomfortablewith,allyouranswersarevoluntary.Wekeepthisinformationconfidentialandwedon’tshareitwithanyonewithoutyourpermission.Except,ifyoutellusthatyouwanttohurtyourselforsomeoneelse,oryoutellusthatyourchildhasdirectlyexperiencedabuse.”Iknowthisisadifficulttimeforyou,andwhenyoufeelcomfortable,Iamreadytohearabouttheeventsthatledyoutocallourprogram.
Tip:Oncetrusthasbeenestablished,andbecausewewanttoprovidethebestadvocacyservices,itmaybehelpfultoknowhowapersonidentifiestheirgender.Remindparticipantstosharewhatevertheyfeelcomfortablewith,alltheiranswersarevoluntary.Makeawelcomingspaceforpeopleofallgendersandopenthedoorforadvocacyafterintake.Whatisyourgenderidentity?___________________________________________________qFemaleqMaleqTransgenderqGendernon-conformingqSomethingelseyouwouldliketoshare_________________________________________Canyousharewhatyourrelationshipiswiththepersonwhoisharmingyou?qSpouseqBoyfriend/GirlfriendqEx-Boyfriend/Ex-GirlfriendqPartnerqOtherrelationship________
Letusgettoknowyoubetter
Wewanttodoourbesttosupportyou
10
Tip:Timetocheck-inandlettheparticipantknowthatyoubeaskingthemtodescribetheirexperienceoflivingwithabuse.Lettheparticipantknowthatyouarehappytotakeabreakandreturntothisconversation.Canyoudescribeyourexperienceofabuse?EmotionalAbuse:______________________________________________________________ PhysicalAbuse:_______________________________________________________________ SexualAbuse:_________________________________________________________________Othertactics:_________________________________________________________________Wewouldliketogettoknowyourchildren.Canyousharetheirnamesandanyparticularneedsthatwecansupportyouwith?
Name Gender DateofBirth Age
Hasyourpartnereverharmedyourchildren?qNoqYes, Pleasedescribe:___________________________________________________Canyousharehowyourchildrenwereharmed? qNoqYes, Pleasedescribe:___________________________________________________Whatisyourbiggestconcernforyourchildrenrightnow? qNoqYes, Pleasedescribe:___________________________________________________Experiencingabusecanbeextremelydifficulttolivewithandsometimesitcanleadtopeopleharmingthemselvestoeasethepain.Haveyoueverthoughtaboutharmingyourself?qNoqYes Pleasedescribe:_______________________________________________________________Haveyoueverdoneanythingtohurtyourself?qNoqYes Pleasedescribe:_______________________________________________________________Whileyouarewithus,ifyouarefeelinglikeyoumightwanttoharmyourselfwouldbewillingtotalktostaffandsharehowwecansupportyou?_________________________________Manypeopleexperiencingabuseusealcoholorotherdrugstohelpthemcope.Weareheretosupportyouandcanconnectyoutoresourcesthatmatchyourneeds.Isthissomethingthatyouwouldlikehelpwith?qNoqYes,Howcanwesupportyou?____________________________________________
11
Thismaynotbeaconcernforyounow,howeverweleteveryoneknowthatwecantalkwithyouaboutarangeofbirthcontroloptionsincludingemergencycontraception.Wouldyoulikemoreinformationaboutthis?qNoqYesPleasedescribe:____________________________________________________Tip:Lettheparticipantknowthatthenextsetofquestionsfocusonwhattheymayneedtobecomfortableinthisspaceandincludessomedemographicquestions.Remindparticipantsthattheanswersarevoluntaryandyoucanreturntothematalatertime.Manypeoplehavebeenprescribedmedicationtotakedaily.Ifyouneedhelpwithrefillingaprescription,wecanassistyouwiththat.Doyouoryourchildrenhaveanyconcernsabouthealthormedicalrelatedissuesthatyouwouldliketoaddress?qNoqYesPleasedescribe:________________________________Doyouhaveanyculturalorreligiousneeds?qNoqYesPleasedescribe:______________________________________________________________Canyousharewhatspecificcultural,ethnicgroupsorcommunitiesyouidentifywith?Race:�AfricanAmerican �Asian �NativeAmerican �AlaskaNative �PacificIslander �White �Multiracial�Other_______ Ethnicity:�Non-Hispanic/Non-Latino �Hispanic/Latino �Other________Canyousharewhatisyourmainsourceofincome?qTANF__________IfnotonTANF,eligible?__________qSSI__________qWorker’sCompensation__________qNoneqUnknown qEmployment__________qVeteran’sDisability__________qGA___________qUnabletoWork____________________qOther:____________HasparticipanteverreceivedinformationonapplyingforTANF?____________*IfNOTonTANFandpossiblyeligible,giveinformationNOWonhowtoapply.
12
Ourprogramworkswithinourcommunitytoconnectyoutoservicestosupportyouandyourfamily.Let’sdiscusssomeoftheseprogramsandseeifyoumightbeinterestedintheirservices.qCommunityAdvocacy qEmployment/VocationalCounselingorTraining qDrug/AlcoholCounseling qLegalAdvocacy qFood/ClothingqGroupSupportqCourtAdvocacy qChildcare/RespiteCare qCulturallyAppropriateServicesqInterpreterServices qEducation qOtherqShelter qESL qNoParticipantServicesNeededqHousing qAddressConfidentialityProgramqUnknownqFinancialAssistance qHealthcare/Medication qTransportation qParent-SkillCounselingqDVEducation qMentalHealthCounselingEmergencyContactInformation__________________________________(Incaseofanemergencyisthereanyoneyouwouldlikeforustocontact?) SafetyPlanningSafetyplanningisanongoingconversationwithasurvivorandmayormaynotbeaformalorwrittenplan.Safetyplanningstrategiesshouldberelevanttothesurvivors’priorities,decisionsandrisks.Theplanningprocessshouldbedynamicandflexibletomeetthesurvivors’changingcircumstances.Davies,J.DomesticViolenceAdvocacy:ComplexLives/DifficultChoices,2,secondedition,2014
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Thanksforyourpatiencewithallthesequestions.Nowitisyourturn,doyouhaveanyquestionsforme?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
13
Non-EmergencyDVProgramIntakeGuidelines
Introd
uctio
nsand
overviewofy
ourp
rogram
ParticipantFirst&LastName,ProgramID#,DateofBirth.
Youmightnotthinkhavingthelastnameoftheparticipantisimportantbutmostnon-emergencyprogramscanservemanypeopleatonce.It’slikelythatmanypeoplewillhavethesamefirstname.
Tip:Pleasefamiliarizeyourselfwiththeintakequestionsaheadoftime.Thisisatooltoassistyouinunderstandingtheneedsoftheparticipantsothatyouareequippedtoprovidetheappropriatesupport.Welcomingstatement:Createastatementthatworksforyourprogram
“Ihopewewillbeabletoprovideyouwiththeresourcesyouneedandifnot,guideyouintherightdirection.Ourprogramwelcomeseveryone–andweopenourdoorstoindividualswhoreachouttousfromdifferentcultures,raceandethnicities,fromavarietyofreligiousbackgrounds,folkswithdiversegenderidentitiesandsexualorientations,folkswithhiddenorvisibledisabilities,folkswhohavesubstanceusechallenges,folkswithmoneyornomoney–justliketheworldaroundus.”
Tip:Wheneverpossible,beforeyoubeginthepaperwork,taketheparticipants(includingchildren)onatourofyourprogram.Providethemwithanopportunitytogetacquaintedwithanunfamiliarplace.Sharethehighlightsofyourprogrambeforeyougettothepersonalquestionsonyourform.Thisallowsfolktimetogetcomfortableandappreciatethegoalofyourprogram.Explainthegoalofyourprogramandhowyouplantosupporttheparticipant(caution:toomuchorganizationaldetailmaybeunnecessaryatthistime).Shareifyouprovide24-houradvocacycoverage,legaladvocacyservices,and/orhousingspecialists.Doyouallowsmokingaroundthefacility?Canfamilymembersvisit?Thinkaboutthemostimportantthingssomeoneneedstoknowupfront.Advocatecangainalotbyjustlisteningtosomeonesharingtheirstory.Accessibility Thinkhowpeopleusethespace–whatdopeople
needtofunctionsuccessfullyinyourfacility.Providingatouroftheprogramgivesyoutheopportunitytoengagewiththeparticipantwhilewalkingaround.Makesuretoinquireaboutthechildrenandtheirabilitytogetaroundoranyotheraccessneed.
14
Letu
sgetto
kno
wyou
better
Tip:Shiftingtheconversation–sharingthestory“Thenextquestionisfocusedonsharingwhatbroughtyoutoourprogram.Pleasetakeyourtimeandfeelfreetostopifyouneedtotakeabreak.Pleasesharewhateveryoufeelcomfortablewith,allyouranswersarevoluntary.Wekeepthisinformationconfidentialandwedon’tshareitwithanyonewithoutyourpermission.Except,ifyoutellusthatyouwanttohurtyourselforsomeoneelse,oryoutellusthatyourchildhasdirectlyexperiencedabuse.”Byusingthislanguage,youaresharing:1. Thetransitiontoanewsetofquestions.2. Acknowledgmentthatitisokayforparticipantstotakecareofthemselves,and3. Theparticipantisguidingtheconversation.“Iknowthisisadifficulttimeforyou,andwhenyoufeelcomfortable,Iamreadytohearabouttheeventsthatledyoutocallourprogram
Thewayyouaskthisquestionisimportanttobuildingaconnectionandtrustwiththeparticipant.Invitingtheparticipant“toshare”ratherthanmakingthemfeelliketheyhavenochoice.Usephraseslike:“canyoushare”or“whenyoufeelcomfortable,let’sbegin.”Avoidingphraseslike“tellmewhathappenedwhenyouwereabused”or“tellmethedetailsabouttherecentincident.”
15
Wewan
ttodo
ourbesttosupp
orty
ou
Tip:Oncetrusthasbeenestablished,andbecausewewanttoprovidethebestadvocacyservices,itmaybehelpfultoknowhowapersonidentifiestheirgender.Remindparticipantstosharewhatevertheyfeelcomfortablewith,alltheiranswersarevoluntary.
Gender–Whatisyourgenderidentity?• Female• Male• Transgender• Gendernon-conforming• Somethingelseyouwouldliketo
share?
Don’tassumeyouknowthegenderoftheprogramparticipant.Oriftheyidentifywithagenderthatistheoneyouthink.
Canyousharewhatyourrelationshipiswiththepersonharmingyou?• Spouse• Girlfriendor(Ex)• Boyfriendor(Ex)• Partner• Otherrelationship?
Noticehowtheparticipantdescribestheirrelationship,usethesamelanguage.Refrainfromcallingtheirpartner“yourabuser,yourbattererortheperpetrator.”
Tip:Timetocheck-inandlettheparticipantknowthatyoubeaskingthemtodescribetheirexperienceoflivingwithabuse.Lettheparticipantknowthatyouarehappytotakeabreakandreturntothisconversation.Canyoudescribeyourexperienceofabuse?• Emotionalabuse• Physicalabuse• SexualAbuse• Othertactics
Mostpeoplelivingwithabusehaveexperienceddifferenttypesofbehaviorslike:threats,putdownsphysicalorsexualabuse,restrictingaccesstomoney,usingadisabilityagainstyou,usingthechildrenagainstyou,interferingwithbirthcontrolanddecisionsaroundfamilyplanning
Wewouldliketogettoknowyourchildren.Canyousharetheirnamesandanyparticularneedsthatwecansupportyouwith?• Hasyourpartnereverharmedyour
children?• Canyousharehowyourchildrenwere
harmed?• Whatisyourbiggestconcernforthe
childrenrightnow?
Theintentofthesequestionsaretolaythefoundationforworkingwiththeparticipantonhowtobestsupportthechild(ren).Weknowthatremovingachild(ren)fromafamiliarspacetoanunfamiliarplaceandchangingroutinesisoftenconfusingandupsetting.
16
Wewan
ttodo
ourbesttosupp
orty
ou
Experiencingdomesticviolencecanbeextremelydifficulttolivewithandsometimesitcanleadtopeopleharmingthemselvestoeasethepain.• Haveyoueverthoughtaboutharming
yourself?• Haveyoueverdoneanythingtohurt
yourself?• “Whileyouarewithus,ifyouare
feelinglikeyoumightwanttoharmyourselfwouldbewillingtotalktostaff?Couldyoufindastaffpersonandsharehowwecansupportyou?”
“Experiencingdomesticviolencecanbeextremelydifficulttolivewithandsometimesitcanleadtopeopleharmingthemselvestoeasethepain.”“Whileyouarewithus,ifyouarefeelinglikeyoumightwanttoharmyourselfwouldbewillingtotalktostaff?”ForinformationcheckoutthiswebinarontheWSCADVwebsite--SuicideAssessmentandInterventionWebinarbySueEastgard.https://wscadv.org/resources/suicide-assessment-and-intervention-webinar/
Manypeopleexperiencingdomesticviolenceusealcoholorotherdrugstohelpthemcope.Weareheretosupportyouandcanconnectyoutoresourcesthatmatchyourneeds.Issomethingthatyouwouldlikehelpwith?
Theintenthereistooffersupportifneeded,nottopunishpeopleormakethemfeelbadaboutusing.Usingsubstancesshouldnotbeareasontoasksomeonetoleaveyourprogram.
Thismaynotbeaconcernforyounow,howeverweleteveryoneknowthatwecantalkwithyouaboutarangeofbirthcontroloptionsincludingemergencycontraception.Wouldyoulikemoreinformationaboutthis?
Thereareoptionsforfolkswhothinktheymightbepregnantandaretryingtodecideaboutthislifechangingdecision.EmergencyContraceptionworksbestwithinthreedaysofintercourseandcanpreventpregnancy.(Somefolkshavethisonsiteifnot,PlanBisavailableonstoreshelvesortheinternetatAfterpill.com.Weknowthatmanysurvivorstalkaboutthewaystheirpartnerinterferedwiththeirbirthcontrolordidn’trespecttheirdecisionsaroundfamilyplanning.TheWSCADVwebsite’sReproductiveJusticepagehasinformationaboutbasicformsofbirthcontrolthatarelesslikelytobefeltbyapartner.InformationaboutteenrightsaroundaccesstobirthcontrolandparentalnotificationinWA.Informationabouthowemergencycontraceptionworksandwhereyoucangetit(ifyourprogramdoesnothaveitasaresource).
17
Wewan
ttodo
ourbesttosupp
orty
ou
Tip:Lettheparticipantknowthatthenextsetofquestionsfocusonwhattheymayneedtobecomfortableinthisspaceandincludessomedemographicquestions.Remindparticipantsthattheanswersarevoluntaryandyoucanreturntothematalatertime.
Manypeoplehavebeenprescribedmedicationtotakedaily.Ifyouneedhelpwithrefillingaprescription,wecanassistyouwiththat.Doyouoryourchildrenhaveanyconcernsabouthealthormedicalrelatedissuesthatyouwouldliketoaddress?
• Areyouoryourchildrenonanymedicationthatstaffshouldbeawareof?
Askingaboutgeneralhealthconcernshelpsyouidentifythesupportthataparticipantortheirchild(ren)mightneed.
Askingaboutprescriptionsisnotanopportunityforyoutodeterminewhatmedicationtheyaretaking;butrather,iftheyhaveenoughtolastforseveraldays.Doesyourprogramprovideapersonallockboxforthemtousewhileintheprogram?Canyourefillmedsquicklyifneeded?
Doyouhaveanyculturalorreligiousneeds?
Canyousharewhatspecificcultural,ethnicgroupsorcommunitiesyouidentifywith?
Participantsappreciateyoureffortstoidentifytheirculturalorreligiousneedswhichwillhelpthemhaveapositiveexperienceinyourprogram.Supportingaparticipant’sculturalandreligiousneedssendsamessagethatyourprogramiswelcomingtoall.Ifpossible,knowingthisinformationaheadoftimecanhelpyoupreparefortheirarrivalandincreaseaparticipant’scomfort.
“Financialstabilityisanimportantpartofsurvival.Ourprogramcanreferyoutofinancialresourcesintheareaifneeded.Canyousharewhatisthemainsourceofyourincome?“
Weknowthathavingasourceofincomeiscritical.Weaskthisquestionsothatifyouneedassistancewecanprovideyouwithinformation.
Ourprogramworkswithinourcommunitytoconnectyoutoservicestosupportyouandyourfamily.Let’sdiscusssomeoftheseprogramsandseeifyoumightbeinterestedintheirservices.
Thisisagreatwaytouncovertheservicestheparticipantmayhavealreadytappedintoandprovideefficientcoordinationandcollaboratewithexistingsupports.And,theparticipantmaywantadditionalinformationorclarificationabouthowtoaccessotherresources.
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EmergencyContactInformation Thisinformationshouldonlybeusedinextremeemergenciesandwiththeparticipant’spermission.Theparticipantgetstodecidewhatconstitutesanemergency.Thisinformationisnottobeusedtotrytolocatesomeoneiftheydonotreturntoyourprogramafterafewdays.Wearenotdetectivesandparticipationinourprogramisvoluntary!
SafetyPlanning Safetyplanningisanongoingconversationwithasurvivorandmayormaynotbeaformalorwrittenplan.Safetyplanningstrategiesshouldberelevanttothesurvivors’priorities,decisionsandrisks.Theplanningprocessshouldbedynamicandflexibletomeetthesurvivors’changingcircumstances.Davies,J.DomesticViolenceAdvocacy:ComplexLives/DifficultChoices,2,secondedition,2014.
Thanksforyourpatiencewithallthesequestions.Nowitisyourturn,doyouhaveanyquestionsforme?
Thisisatimetolistencloselytotheparticipant’sneedsandquestions.Listenforwhytheneeds,questionsandrequestsareimportanttotheparticipant.
QuestionsNOTonthisfrom:Toomanyquestionscanbeoverwhelming.Ifyoudonotseeanumberofquestionsonthisformthatyounormallyaskpleaseconsiderputtingthesequestionsonanoptionalformfortheparticipanttofilloutandreturntoyou.Or,considernotaskingthequestionsandaskyourself–isthisreallynecessary–orareyouaskingthequestionbecauseyouhavealwaysaskedthisquestionandnoonerememberswhy,ortellsyou“wehavealwaysdoneitthisway.”
Consideralternativestoaskingmanyquestionsonyourforms.Additionalquestionscanbeonahandoutthatcouldbefilloutontheirownandreturnedtoyou.
• Courtorder• WerethePoliceinvolved• Veteranormilitarystatus• Otheradditionaldemographics• Additionalneedsofchildren(canthisbecollected
withthechildren’sadvocate?• Areyouduplicatingyourquestionsbetween
differentadvocatepositions?• Couldtherebebettercoordinationbetweenforms
andreducetheduplicativedatacollection?Bottomline:Participantsshouldnothavetoanswerthesamequestionoverandoveragain.