ENHANCING FAMILY GROUP DECISION MAKING WITH FAMILIES EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE April 8, 2010

2 BEST PRACTICE -- IMPLEMENTATION TEAM -- A county should hold conferences with families experiencing domestic violence ONLY when they have reached a level of knowledge and competency regarding domestic violence and its dynamics. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

3 BEST PRACTICE -- SAFETY COMMITTEE -- Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence There SHOULD BE a Safety Committee or other mechanism to evaluate or determine if all safety issues are addressed. There SHOULD BE a Safety Committee or other mechanism to evaluate or determine if all safety issues are addressed.

4 PRE CONFERENCE Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence REFERRAL – CHILD WELFARE – JUVENILE PROBATION – COURTS – OTHERS REFERRAL – CHILD WELFARE – JUVENILE PROBATION – COURTS – OTHERS

5 BEST PRACTICE -- REFERRAL -- A family SHOULD NOT be referred if the victim does not believe it will be safe. A family SHOULD NOT be referred if the victim does not believe it will be safe. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

6 BEST PRACTICE -- REFERRAL -- There SHOULD BE a standardized form containing domestic violence relevant information that is forwarded to the coordinator after the family agrees to conference and prior to first contact by coordinator. There SHOULD BE a standardized form containing domestic violence relevant information that is forwarded to the coordinator after the family agrees to conference and prior to first contact by coordinator. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

7 BEST PRACTICE -- REFERRAL -- Expedited conferences SHOULD NOT be held when there is domestic violence in the family and safety can not be assured. Expedited conferences SHOULD NOT be held when there is domestic violence in the family and safety can not be assured. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

8 PRE CONFERENCE Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence PREPARATION - CONTACTS – FAMILY – SUPPORT PEOPLE – SERVICE PROVIDERS PREPARATION - CONTACTS – FAMILY – SUPPORT PEOPLE – SERVICE PROVIDERS

9 BEST PRACTICE -- COORDINATION -- Screening and assessment for domestic violence SHOULD BE conducted at the time of the referral with the primary family and continued throughout FGDM process. Screening and assessment for domestic violence SHOULD BE conducted at the time of the referral with the primary family and continued throughout FGDM process. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

10 BEST PRACTICE -- ASSESSMENT -- If there is a Protection From Abuse order, THE VICTIM SHOULD NEVER BE ASKED TO MODIFY THE ORDER for the purpose of the batterer attending the conference. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

11 BEST PRACTICE -- PREPARATION -- The domestic violence VICTIM MUST HAVE THE AUTHORITY, throughout the Preparation Phase, to decide whether to continue towards holding the conference. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

12 Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence What, if any, safety concerns are present? Are there specific safety concerns related to domestic violence? Should the domestic violence batterer/abuser be present for the conference?

13 BEST PRACTICE -- PREPARATION -- There MUST BE a Support Person for the victim who can participate in private family time. IF NOT - conference should not be held. There MUST BE a Support Person for the victim who can participate in private family time. IF NOT - conference should not be held. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

14 BEST PRACTICE -- PREPARATION -- A Support Person SHOULD BE identified for each primary family member (including the children) participating in the conference. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

15 BEST PRACTICE -- PREPARATION -- A conference SHOULD ONLY BE HELD when all safety issues and concerns have been addressed for the entire process. A conference SHOULD ONLY BE HELD when all safety issues and concerns have been addressed for the entire process. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

16 CONFERENCE --PENNSYLVANIA MODEL -- Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence WELCOME – INTRODUCTION – REVIEW PURPOSE – GUIDELINES – ROLES – FAMILY RITUAL WELCOME – INTRODUCTION – REVIEW PURPOSE – GUIDELINES – ROLES – FAMILY RITUAL

17 BEST PRACTICE -- CONFERENCE -- When there is a history of domestic violence, the coordinator MUST BE present and there must be both a facilitator and co-facilitator for the conference. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

18 BEST PRACTICE -- CONFERENCE -- The facilitator MUST BE thoroughly briefed about safety signals, triggers, and safety plans. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

19 CONFERENCE -- PENNSYLVANIA MODEL -- Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence INFORMATION GATHERING AND SHARING – DISCUSS STRENGTHS – DISCUSS CONCERNS – IDENTIFY “BOTTOM LINES” – IDENTIFY RESOURCES INFORMATION GATHERING AND SHARING – DISCUSS STRENGTHS – DISCUSS CONCERNS – IDENTIFY “BOTTOM LINES” – IDENTIFY RESOURCES

20 BEST PRACTICE -- CONFERENCE -- Conferences SHALL OCCUR in the family’s primary language and with careful attention to cultural issues and values. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

21 BEST PRACTICE -- CONFERENCE --  If the conference is stopped due to safety concerns, IT IS THE VICTIM’S DECISION if the conference should continue.  If domestic violence is disclosed at the conference, the conference SHOULD BE STOPPED and an assessment conducted.  If the conference is stopped due to safety concerns, IT IS THE VICTIM’S DECISION if the conference should continue.  If domestic violence is disclosed at the conference, the conference SHOULD BE STOPPED and an assessment conducted. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

22 CONFERENCE -- PENNSYLVANIA MODEL -- Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence PRIVATE FAMILY TIME – DEVELOPING THE PLAN PRIVATE FAMILY TIME – DEVELOPING THE PLAN

23 CONFERENCE -- PENNSYLVANIA MODEL -- Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence PLAN PRESENTATION – AGREEMENT – CLOSING PLAN PRESENTATION – AGREEMENT – CLOSING

24 POST CONFERENCE -- PENNSYLVANIA MODEL -- Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence MONITORING IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN MONITORING IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN

25 BEST PRACTICE -- POST CONFERENCE -- Within 24 hours of the conclusion of the conference, the coordinator SHOULD DO A TELEPHONE CONTACT with the victim (if the victim agrees) and it has been determined that it is safe to do so. Within 24 hours of the conclusion of the conference, the coordinator SHOULD DO A TELEPHONE CONTACT with the victim (if the victim agrees) and it has been determined that it is safe to do so. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

26 BEST PRACTICE -- POST CONFERENCE -- There SHOULD BE a follow-up conference with all participants. There SHOULD BE a follow-up conference with all participants. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

27 WRAP-UP QUESTIONS WRAP-UP QUESTIONS Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

28 FOR SALE  MANUAL - Family Group Decision Making - Enhancing The Process For Families Experiencing Domestic Violence –Includes: Sample Pre and Post Test The FGDM Process and Roles, including “Best Practices” and “Advocacy Tips” Training Outline Resources FOR SALE  MANUAL - Family Group Decision Making - Enhancing The Process For Families Experiencing Domestic Violence –Includes: Sample Pre and Post Test The FGDM Process and Roles, including “Best Practices” and “Advocacy Tips” Training Outline Resources Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

29 Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence 6400 Flank Drive Harrisburg, PA or Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence