Jon McMullin SOWK 310A Interview Presentation

INTERVIEWEE *Megan Brine* Employer: Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties Employer: Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties Job Title: Children’s Service Advocate Job Title: Children’s Service Advocate Experience: 1 Year Experience: 1 Year

What services does the organization offer? Shelter for women and children Shelter for women and children 24 Hour Crisis Line 24 Hour Crisis Line Information & legal advocacy Information & legal advocacy Safety planning Safety planning Counseling Counseling Case management Case management Community education Community education Community Outreach Community Outreach

Job Duties There is no such thing as a typical day for Megan—Very broad There is no such thing as a typical day for Megan—Very broad After school activities After school activities Children range from newborns-teensChildren range from newborns-teens Run household in the shelter Run household in the shelter Clean BathroomsClean Bathrooms Unclog ToiletsUnclog Toilets Clean LaundryClean Laundry Etc…Etc…

Job Duties cont. Safety Planning Safety Planning Educate women about effects of DVEducate women about effects of DV Teaching methods of coping with DVTeaching methods of coping with DV Child Counseling Child Counseling Emotional SupportEmotional Support Constant support provided because the affects of DV on childrenConstant support provided because the affects of DV on children General Support General Support Baking CupcakesBaking Cupcakes Board GamesBoard Games Someone to talk toSomeone to talk to

What Megan likes most about her job “Jokes around—gets paid to play” “Jokes around—gets paid to play” Because she is a children’s advocate worker primarilyBecause she is a children’s advocate worker primarily The fact that she is pursuing a Master’s in Counseling The fact that she is pursuing a Master’s in Counseling Attending Heritage UniversityAttending Heritage University Work provides key examples to back up learningWork provides key examples to back up learning Provides means of practiceProvides means of practice Enjoys going to work everyday Enjoys going to work everyday

What Megan likes least about her job Had nothing bad to say—couldn’t think of anything Had nothing bad to say—couldn’t think of anything

What Megan would change about the job Finding housing for victims Finding housing for victims Tri-Cities housing market is at 99% occupancy therefore nothing is easily accessibleTri-Cities housing market is at 99% occupancy therefore nothing is easily accessible Effects of the economy complicate home buying/rentingEffects of the economy complicate home buying/renting Finding job opportunities for victims Finding job opportunities for victims Job shortage because of the economyJob shortage because of the economy

Causes of DV Various reasons can cause DV Various reasons can cause DV Manipulative relationshipsManipulative relationships Financial controlFinancial control IntimidationIntimidation Childhood backgroundChildhood background Health IssuesHealth Issues Substance abuseSubstance abuse Etc…Etc…

Essential Elements of Intervention Keeping people safe Keeping people safe When answering the Crisis Line When answering the Crisis Line Asks “Are you in a safe place to talk?”Asks “Are you in a safe place to talk?” Provides strategies to deal/cope with DV in the homeProvides strategies to deal/cope with DV in the home Safety planningSafety planning Suggests ways of leaving the household Suggests ways of leaving the household Personal/children safety tips Personal/children safety tips Knowing the right ways to intervene with each individual situationKnowing the right ways to intervene with each individual situation Not everyone can leave a household because of various situations/circumstances Not everyone can leave a household because of various situations/circumstances

Essential Elements of Intervention cont. Provides, but does not force each Crisis Victim with the means to leave the DV location Provides, but does not force each Crisis Victim with the means to leave the DV location Always leaves this option up the victimAlways leaves this option up the victim Never forces just provides optionsNever forces just provides options

Essential Elements of Prevention Community Knowledge Community Knowledge Community Outreach Community Outreach Domestic Violence Awareness Domestic Violence Awareness Minimal Response from Megan on this topic Minimal Response from Megan on this topic

What Future Social Workers Need to Know Many times victims are constantly battered with lists of things to accomplish Many times victims are constantly battered with lists of things to accomplish Not all victims have the means to accomplish these tasks:Not all victims have the means to accomplish these tasks: Job searches Job searches Housing arrangements Housing arrangements Transportation Transportation How to make a survivor function How to make a survivor function Not overwhelming the victim with tasks, but giving them means out of entrapmentNot overwhelming the victim with tasks, but giving them means out of entrapment Also at the same time building them back up by completion/accomplishments of tasksAlso at the same time building them back up by completion/accomplishments of tasks