Transcript Welcome to Net Cast!

Using Self Sufficiency Policy to
Support Survivors of Domestic
Violence
Retired Net-link
Update Nov. 2005
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For questions on this power point
contact…

Carol Krager. . .
Intervention Program Analyst
 CAF – Self-Sufficiency Programs
 (503) 945-5931


Jayne Downing…
Executive Director
 Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Service
 (503) 378-1572

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Instructions:
This power point contains questions and
answers and scenarios. After each
question or scenario you will find a
green screen with the answer or
scenario considerations.
 If you have questions about these
activities, contact the folks on the
previous screen.

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Self Sufficiency Programs define
Domestic Violence as:
The occurrence of one or more of the
following acts between family members,
intimate partners or household members:
physical injury or emotional, mental or verbal
abuse.
 fear of imminent serious physical injury.
 Committing sexual abuse in any degree as
defined in Chapter 163 of the Oregon Revised
Statues
 Using coercive or controlling behavior

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Considerations…
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This definition is broader than most definitions in that
it includes household, family members as well as
intimate partners.
The Self-sufficiency definition of domestic violence
varies from definitions within DHS and from the
criminal definition of domestic violence.
The self-sufficiency definition is codified in ORS
411.117.
The term “domestic violence” is jargon and varies
from person to person. Focus on the behaviors as
opposed to the term.
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What is the greatest risk factor for
being a victim of domestic violence?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Poverty
Race
Religion
Gender
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Answer…

D: Though domestic violence is seen in every
socioeconomic class; race and
religion…according to FBI statistics 95% of
domestic violence is male perpetrated against
female. Even though the majority of the
crimes are against females, domestic violence
can and does happen where the violence is
perpetrated by women and in same sex
relationships. Any form of domestic violence
is unacceptable, regardless of who the
perpetrator is.
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Case Study
An 18 year old teen parent living with
her mother and step father is applying
for services because her step father is
getting increasingly verbally abusive.
Would this situation meet our definition
of domestic violence?
Why or why not?
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Response:
The teen parent’s situation would meet
the definition of domestic violence…
 Her step-father (family member) is
getting increasingly verbal abusive.
Verbal abuse is part of the selfsufficiency definition. Escalation of
behaviors should always be considered
as increased risk.

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Case Study
A client with a roommate is fearful of her
roommate because she is getting more and
more controlling, threatening the client and
her child, then apologizing after the fact.
Would this situation meet our definition of
domestic violence?
Why or why not?
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Response:

Yes, the roommate is a household
member. The behaviors are threatening
and the client is fearful.
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What percentage of TANF clients have
disclosed current or past abuse?
1.
2.
3.
4.
30%
40%
50%
60%
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Answer:

#4 – In 1996, before we screened for
domestic violence, a case review of over 4000
cases showed that 50% of the clients had
experienced violence at some point in their
life. Other states studies of TANF show
similar numbers. We believe if we did the
same type of review today the number would
be even higher because we now screen for
domestic violence through questions on the
application and with other screening tools.
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Domestic Violence Intervention
Requirements
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Identify past, current and potential victims of
domestic violence. . .
Provide individualized case management for
families affected by domestic violence. . .
Refer victims to appropriate services including
counseling and support services. . .
Waive or modify TANF requirements that make
it more difficult for families to escape violence or that
put them at further risk of violence.
Staff waiving requirements or doing case planning
are required to have training on domestic violence
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Screening…
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How do you screen for domestic
violence locally?
On a separate piece of paper list ways
you screen for domestic violence.
 Who participates in the screenings?
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Did you get all these ways?
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The application
Self-disclosure
Referrals from service providers
Local assessment tools – DHS 7823
Interview
Home visits
Injuries
Other indicators . . . verbal & non-verbal cues
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Questions???

What are the questions on the
Application for Services (415F) which
can help you identify domestic violence?
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Answer:
Checking box for DV help
Do you need to get away from an abusive or
unsafe situation?
 Check here if your partner or spouse makes
you afraid by threatening, yelling, or
physically hurting you or your children.
 Do you think this parent might cause harm to
you or the child if we try to establish the
parent’s identity and we pursue child support
and health care coverage?

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The primary concern when
working with a family affected
by domestic violence is…
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Promoting Safety as part of
Case Management
Never interview the client when a possible abuser
is present
 Make sure that the address you mail notices to is
a safe one - if not, hand deliver notices
 Narrate on TRACS unless there is a safety concern
 If it’s not safe to use a client’s name or social
security number on the system, we can use an
alias and/or “T” number for Food Stamps
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Always staff this with your Operations Managers
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Don’t Narrate On-Line if...
If the abuser is in the household
 The abuser or his family member works for
DHS or a partner agency with access to
TRACS
 The abuser works for law enforcement
 The client believes the abuser can access our
computer systems

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When is a battered woman in
most danger of being killed?
1. When the abuser is
drinking
2. If she fights back
3. When attempting
to leave the
relationship
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Answer:

#3 – The victim is at a much greater
risk when leaving the situation.
Abusers are likely to escalate their
behaviors when they feel they are
losing control of the victim.
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Case Study
You’re on an unannounced home visit. The client
meets you at the door and appears very nervous.
She keeps looking towards the back part of the
house. You notice that she has a healing bruise
that looks like finger marks on her upper arm. The
client has not disclosed domestic violence on her
re-application.
What action would you take?
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Considerations:
Safety is the most important factor. If
you suspect the abuser is present, do
not ask any questions related to DV.
 Options:

Invite the client out to the car - make
excuse of having left something in the car
 Ask the client to come into the office
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What are the
Warning Signs of an Abuser?
1. Isolation
2. Jealousy
3. Emotional Abuse
4. Control
5. Charm
6. All of these
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Answer:
#5 – All of the above
Charm: Abusers can be very charming. In
the beginning they may see like “prince
charming”. He may use the charm to get
personal info from her.
 Isolation: Abusers isolate victims
geographically and socially. Examples:
moving from place to place; isolation from
friends and family
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Continued:
Jealously: Jealously is a tool abusers use to
control the victim. Example: Constantly
accuses the victim of having affairs.
 Emotional Abuse: The goal of emotional
abuse is to destroy the victim’s self esteem.
He blames her for the violence, puts her
down, calls her names and makes threats
against her
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Continued:

Control: Abusers are very controlled and very
controlling people. In time, the abuser will control
every aspect of the victim’s life: where she goes,
what she wears, whom she talks to.
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Though they may appear out of control, they are very much
in control as shown by:
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He abuses in secret
He does not abuse other people - even if they make him “mad”
He can stop the abuse when the phone rings or someone
comes to the door – showing great control
The abuse often escalates from pushing to shoving to hitting in
places where the bruises and marks won’t show – it takes
control to direct where kicks or punches land
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Case Study
You
are interviewing a couple. The man answers all
the questions. When you do direct a question to the
woman, she looks to the man before answering. This
has happened on several visits.
It also appears that the woman cannot get it
together. She is late for activities, misses some
altogether and seems distracted when she does attend.
The man, on the other hand, appears to have it
together and attends all activities you schedule. You
are interviewing the man and he is putting down his
wife and trying to get you to go along with him.
What do you do?
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Considerations:
Do not remain silent (silence implies agreement)
Say something like…we’re here to talk about …
Do not ask questions about potential domestic
violence
 Set up an appointment for the client separate from
her husband
 Discuss her performance only with her…not her
husband
 Screen for potential domestic violence when it’s
safe to do so
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Case Planning and the
Domestic Violence
Assistance Agreement
When there is a safety
concern!
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Principles Include:
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Believing domestic violence survivors
Understanding that the survivor is not responsible
for the abuse
Recognizing the survivor needs to make her own
decisions about safety
Providing resources
Involving the Experts
Addressing the affect of violence on the survivor’s
ability to participate in our activities
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Asking the right questions!
 What
are your safety concerns?
 Are you currently in shelter? If yes, are
you working with an advocate?
 Where are you staying? Is this a safe
place to stay temporarily?
 What kind of help are you receiving
now or have you received in the past?
How does/did that work for you?
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Continued…
 Tell
me about any appointments or
other things you’re having to deal with
so I can address them in your plan.
 Is the address you gave a safe one to
send information to?
 What do you need to keep you and your
children safe?
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Who is responsible for the
abuse?
The victim is not
responsible for the abusers
behaviors…
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What causes domestic
violence?
1. Witnessing domestic
violence as a child
Alcohol and/or drugs
3. A personal choice to be
violent
4. Anger and rage
5. All of the above
2.
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Answer:
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If you pick #3 – you are correct
This is why we know the following aren’t
true…
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Studies show that 30% of male child witnesses
choose to become abusers as adults, remember
violence works to get what you want. 70% do not
grow up to be abusers, in fact many become
advocates for children when they grow up.
Alcohol and drugs do not cause DV. DV is a
choice. Many abusers will have alcohol or drugs
present so they can use it as an excuse. The
abuse will not stop if the abuser stops drinking or
using. Not all abusers drink or use.
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Continued:
Domestic violence has nothing to do with
anger. Anger is a tool abusers use to get what
they want. We know the abusers are very
much in control because they can stop when
they want. Nor is it about stress or tension.
We all have stress and tension in our lives and
we do not go home and choose to abuse the
people we say we love.
 An abuser chooses to use violence to maintain
power and control over the victim. When other
tactics stop working (isolation; emotional
abuse; threats; etc.), abusers are more likely to
escalate to physical violence.
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
Case Planning
Focus on safety
 Develop Case Plans with the experts
 Provide the survivor with options, not
mandates
 Allow the client to take small steps, build
on successes

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Respect the client’s confidentiality
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Continued
 Recognize
the client may be
participating in activities through
the court, the shelter or other
service providers
 Penalties
can be waived when
domestic violence is a factor
 Don’t
forget the children
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Possible steps in the case plan
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Referral and coordination
Help with housing or relocation (what does she feel is safe?)
If moving out of area have a plan for where she’s
going
Counseling/medical appointments as needed for the
client and children
Court appointments (grand jury, etc.) if applicable
Other steps as appropriate in that specific case
Plan to meet future housing costs
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What Would you narrate...
if it’s safe?
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Narrate Safety Concerns
Narrate the DV Assistance Plan
Narrate Payments
Narrate Child Support issues
Using the TRAC’s TA-DVS Addendum is an
option and would be considered part of
the narrative.
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Second or Subsequent
Requests for Help
A victim returns to the abuser an
average of seven times before
leaving for good
 Leaving is a Process - Not an
Event!
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Ask more questions!
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What worked or didn’t work for you when you
left before?
What do you think will work this time?
How did “name the abuser” convince you to
reconcile?
How can we help you so that you can stay
safe this time?
Staff the case with central office to identify
other options and to resolve any policy
questions
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What can you say to a survivor if
she returns to the abuser?
You can tell her that you are concerned for
her safety or her children’s safety
 You can tell her that domestic violence is a
pattern and usually gets worse over time
 You can tell her that you care about her
 You should tell her that you (or someone
from DHS) will be there if she needs help in
the future

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Case Study
A client is back, applying for TA-DVS. She
has left her boyfriend several times before
and now wants to leave, again. She received
$1200.00 six months ago to leave.
You really don’t want to approve additional
funds. When you express your concerns
about the relationship with the client, she is
tearful and says she really wants it to work.
What do you do?
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Considerations:
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Victims want the violence to stop, not
necessarily the relationship.
You need to staff the case with central office.
You can say…I’m concerned for your safety.
No one deserves to be abused
This program is to help someone flee and stay
free from abuse.
If she returns, you can say, if it doesn’t work
out, call me.
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Know your Policy!
50
Most TANF eligibility factors can be waived
for a victim of domestic violence. . .
1. Until they have fled the
home and are housed
in a crisis shelter
2. Until they are able to
successfully participate
in JOBS activities
3. Until safety is no
longer an issue
4. For up to six months
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Answer:
#3 - Federal regulations allow us to
waive TANF requirements for “as long
as necessary” when there is a risk of
domestic violence.
 We must review the waivers at a
minimum of every six months to see if
there is a continued risk due to
domestic violence.
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Case Study
You have waived the citizenship requirements
for an undocumented non-citizen due to
domestic violence. The woman and her
children are now safe. You have referred her to
an immigration counseling program to selfpetition for permanent residency under the
VAWA (Violence Against Women Act). Since
she’s now safe, you’re thinking you should close
the case.
What do you do?
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Considerations:
Waivers can remain in place as long as there
is a safety concern…they must be reviewed at
a minimum of every six months.
 If you believe the waiver is no longer
required, you would meet with the client to
determine what safety concerns she still has.
Remember, likelihood to return to the abuser
still constitutes a safety concern.
 If someone is self-petitioning they will receive
a work permit within 6 to 12 months. Then
we can help them locate employment.

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When is Someone Safe?
How do you know when something
you’re asking a client to do is safe?
 What can you do if you believe it isn’t
safe and the client still wants to do it?
 What if you feel it is safe, but the client
doesn’t?

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Considerations
We will never know, because we do not have
control over what the abuser does or doesn’t
do. The client, because they know the
abuser is the best judge of what is safe and
what isn’t.
 You can tell the client about your concerns,
but the victim chooses what is safe or not
safe to do.
 Offer options, but defer to the clients choices.

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Case Study
A client who has applied for Temporary
Assistance for Domestic Violence
Survivors (TA-DVS) wants to move back
to the same apartment complex as the
abuser?
You, as the worker do not feel this is safe,
what can you do?
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Considerations:
You can say you’re concerned about her
safety…
 You can ask her about the reason she’s
considering such a move.
 Here’s what happened with the scenario in a
real situation:


The client had to leave the shelter and the
manager was willing to let her move in without a
deposit. So we were able to pay the deposit and
the client didn’t have to move back in the same
complex.
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What is the most important thing you
can say to a victim of domestic violence?
1.
2.
3.
4.
You need to get out now
I believe you and it’s not your fault
What did you do?
Why have you stayed?
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Answer:
#2 – Sometimes DV feels over
whelming, it’s amazing how supportive
you can be by just saying it’s not your
fault.
 It’s even better if you can offer
resources and refer the client to a DV
service provider.

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Services from Domestic
Violence Service Providers
(programs)
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Help available for clients:
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24 hour crisis line
Resource and Referral
Shelter or safe home networks
Support Groups and Counseling
Legal advocacy
Bi-lingual Services in many areas
Children’s Programs
And more. . . call your local program to find
out what they do
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Help available for you:
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Consultation on cases
Collaboration on local processes and
procedures when working with survivors of
domestic violence
Support for you, as workers, if things get too
stressful
Training on domestic and sexual violence
In some places, support groups have been
developed for staff at branches
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If you haven’t had DV 101 or you want
more information on domestic violence…

Your local domestic violence service provider
provides education on the dynamics of domestic
violence, including information on the cycle of
violence, power and control, myths and facts, and
how to support survivors. Contact your lead
worker or operations manager for information on
the next DV 101 training in your area.
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Agency Resources
Family Services Manual - TANF Chapter
(Section K) and the TA-DVS chapter
 Multiple Program Worker Guide #12
 Safety Assessment Form - DHS 7802
 Client Safety Packet - DHS 8660
 Client Brochure -DHS 1540
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More Resources
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Domestic Violence Reference Card -DHS 7809
Internet Site http://www.dhs.state.or.us/abuse/domestic/dvsite.
htm
WWW.oregonlawhelp.com
MPWG #15 -Application Screening Guidelines Look for the TA-DVS Protocols for screening
DV Resource Library through Central Office
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Learning Resources
DV 101
 DV Policy and Case Planning in Self
Sufficiency Programs
 Net Links:
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“Coding & Narration in Domestic Violence Cases”
“When it’s Fraud and when it’s Not”
DV Policy & Practices for Screeners & Upfront Staff
You can register on-line for any of these
sessions
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Working together, we can
make a difference!
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Thank You for Participating!
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