Creating Accessible, Culturally Relevant, Domestic Violence- and Trauma-Informed (ACDVTI) Agencies: A Self-Reflection Tool
This tool is designed to guide agencies through a self-reflective process on what it might look like to be doing accessible, culturally relevant, and trauma informed (ACDVTI) work in seven different key areas, and to identify strategies for getting there. This tool was developed by the Accessing Safety and Recovery Initiative (ASRI), OVW Ending Violence Against and Abuse of Women with Disabilities Grant 2007-FW-AX-K004, which involved building collaboration among domestic violence programs, community mental health agencies, and state psychiatric hospitals.
Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) Scales
Many human service and advocacy-based organizations are committed to providing trauma-informed practices (TIP) to people using their services, and domestic violence (DV) programs are no exception. Some DV programs have a long history of using a trauma-informed lens in their work, while others are newer to the concept. Regardless of where on the continuum of TIP such organizations lie, until now none has had a tool for examining, from the survivor’s perspective, the extent to which they are truly engaging in the type of practice to which they aspire.
A Guide for Using the Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) Scales is available here in both English and Spanish: http://vaw.msu.edu/toolkits/
The TIP was created to be used easily by community programs so that they can:
- Identify their areas of strength and weakness.
- Improve their practices.
- Demonstrate to funders and other key stakeholders that they are incorporating trauma-informed principles into their work.
NCDVTMH’s research work includes developing trauma-informed outcome measures, reviewing currently available trauma-specific treatment modalities that are relevant to survivors, and much more. More information can be found here: http://www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org/research-and-policy/research/
The Domestic Violence Evidence Project, an initiative of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), is designed to respond to the growing emphasis on identifying and integrating “evidence-based practice.” Tools and resources can be found here: http://www.dvevidenceproject.org/
The Model Medication Policy
The Model Medication Policy is designed to offer guidance to domestic violence programs on adopting medication policies that are accessible, trauma informed, and compliant with anti-discrimination laws.
Model Medication Policy for Domestic Violence Shelters
See additional resources on this topic below, under the Conversation Guide Series.
Recordkeeping when Therapy is Provided at Domestic Violence Programs: A Road Map to Developing Policies for Documentation & Protection of Records When Mental Health Providers are on Staff
By Rachel White-Domain, JD & Margaret McWhorter, JD
DV programs have sought to design policies and practices that will allow for mental health providers working at these programs to meet their professional obligations for proper documentation of therapy sessions with survivors, while also protecting these records from being subpoenaed by abusive partners.
This resource is intended as a “road map,” designed to assist DV coalitions and DV programs in identifying the relevant factors and sources of regulation that they must consider as they develop the policies and practices for maintaining and protecting mental health records that will best meet the needs of survivors served by their agency.
The Conversation Guide Series
The Conversation Guide Series is designed to provide guidance to domestic violence programs working to build their own capacity to provide accessible, culturally relevant, and trauma-informed services. Each guide in the series will provide instructions on how to lead discussions and activities with program staff. The activities can be modified or adapted for your specific program’s needs.
- Increasing Emotional Safety in Domestic Violence Shelters
- Making a Connection when Trauma Affects Interaction and Communication
- Creating a New Medication Policy
- Reaching for the Stars: Goal-Setting with Survivors of Domestic Violence
- Reflective Practice Activities: Reflecting on Unexpected Successes
Using Video Conferencing to Increase Access to Counseling and Other Services
Videoconferencing can offer survivors an alternative way to meet with a provider or counselor. For survivors who lack transportation or live too far from a program or counselor, videoconferencing may be the only way they can obtain medical, legal, or counseling services and/or trauma-informed therapy.
While using video conferencing to communicate with survivors can be beneficial, there are also drawbacks that programs should take into consideration when using this technology. For tips on using video conferencing, please see this documented by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)’s Safety Net Project, in collaboration with the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health (NCDVTMH): Tips For Using Video Conferencing for Victim Services (PDF).
Additionally, several web-based conferencing options are available. This document by NNEDV in collaboration with NCDVTMH reviews the technology requirements, costs, and features of some of these options. It is designed for DV and DV/SA programs and coalitions that want to increase access to services through videoconferencing: Technology Requirements for Using Video Conferencing (PDF).
