1. Staff Training August 2012 Judy Willig, LCSW Executive Director Heights and Hills jwillig@heightsandhills.org

2.  Your ultimate goal is to escape without harm.  The underlying principle in self-protection is to avoid danger and physical confrontation When in doubt...... get out!

3. When in Doubt….. …..Get out When in doubt...... get out!

4.  Listen to your instincts!  Do not be embarrassed or think you are a “bad worker” if you are afraid of something or someone. When in doubt...... get out!

5.  In the office  Before the Visit  Getting there  The Home Visit When in doubt...... get out!

7.  Safety is everyone’s business  When letting someone in, make sure you know who they are and that they are in the right place  No solicitors are allowed in the office  If in doubt, make sure someone else is nearby  Be aware of your surroundings and any strangers wandering around unattended When in doubt...... get out!

9.  Reason for referral  Health, disabilities  History of mental illness  History of violence, domestic or otherwise  History of substance abuse When in doubt...... get out!

10.  Will anyone else be present during visit? ◦ Who, and what is their relationship to you?  Are there any firearms or weapons in the home? ◦ (Check your agency policy on firearms in the home)  Do you have any pets? ◦ (Arrange for pets to be locked in another room or outside during visit)  Are you able to answer the door yourself? When in doubt...... get out!

11.  Do you live in an apartment? ◦ What floor? ◦ Is there an elevator? Does it work?  Are you afraid to go outside?  Let your client advise you about any safety concerns in the area/neighborhood, so that they can become your partner in safety  Check with local law enforcement to determine if there have been complaints at the address When in doubt...... get out!

12.  Contrary to what you were taught in social work school, sometimes resistance needs to be respected, not worked through When in doubt...... get out!

14.  Whenever you leave the office, make sure your supervisor knows where you are and what time you are expected to return  Create a sign out book or sign out on a whiteboard  Make sure your office has your emergency contact information

15.  Schedule visits during daylight hours, preferably before school lets out  When visiting known dangerous areas, make your appointment early in the day When in doubt...... get out!

16.  Dress to protect yourself  Wear clothes and shoes that make it easy to move quickly  Avoid wearing expensive looking jewelry or any accessory that could potentially be dangerous (e.g. a scarf or long necklace)  Keep jewelry out of sight; turn rings around so stones are on the palm side of your hand.  Dress professionally, but appropriately. Avoid wearing very short skirts, low-cut tops, etc. When in doubt...... get out!

17.  If you must carry a purse, be sure to keep your keys, a little money and your cell phone in pockets or a waist pack  Keep a firm grip on handbags. NEVER wrap the handle around your hand or wrist or wear a shoulder bag across your body– you will be pulled down if the bag is grabbed.  Bring a co-worker with you and practice a signal When in doubt...... get out!

18.  If you are certain that you are about to be hurt, shout, scream and call out for help. Noise will bring assistance and scare off the would-be attacker. When in doubt...... get out!

19.  BE ALERT – Look around you to see who is standing near you or walking toward you.  BE DETERMINED – If you are on an unfamiliar or deserted street, quicken your pace and act as if you are going to meet someone who is waiting for you.  PLAN AHEAD – Know where you are going, have a route in mind. Practice an excuse for leaving if you feel uncomfortable When in doubt...... get out!

20.  Know where you are going and how to get there ◦ Use www.mapquest.com for driving directionswww.mapquest.com ◦ Use www.hopstop.com for subway directionswww.hopstop.com  Whether walking or driving, use main streets instead of more deserted side streets  Be alert at all times  Do not listen to iPod or other MP3 device  Do not walk or drive while using cell phone When in doubt...... get out!

21.  Contact the client before you arrive to remind them that you are coming so you are not left waiting outside  Ask them to watch for you upon arrival  Have them watch you when you leave  If you are unsure of the area and have concerns, talk to your supervisor When in doubt...... get out!

22.  Keep your cell phone with you at all times and have it programmed to dial 911  Carry yourself in a professional manner  Walk with purpose  Walk in the center of the sidewalk  Avoid isolated stairs or darkened areas  Carry a noise-making device, such as a whistle  Make a mental note of stores, churches, schools, neutral places where you can access help When in doubt...... get out!

23.  Drive around the neighborhood to get your bearings  Drive past the house first in both directions  Know how to exit the neighborhood  Park your car in a well-lit area  Park your car so that you can make a quick get-away When in doubt...... get out!

24.  In an emergency, notify the motorman, conductor, or token booth attendant.  Don’t stand at the end of an empty platform. If possible, wait for the next train near the token booth during non-rush hours. Always stay near other passengers.  During non-rush hours, ride the center of the train near the conductor’s position, or in the front car near the motorman. When in doubt...... get out!

25.  Don’t stand at the edge of the platform.  NEVER sleep on the subway.  During non-rush hours, use gates near the attended token booths when entering and leaving the system.  Use off-hours waiting areas in the stations. These areas are under observation by a Transit Authority employee. When in doubt...... get out!

26.  Before entering, take a moment to observe the home’s exterior. Look for hiding places, vulnerable points, blocked exits, and escape routes  Check for unusual odors  Take in environmental signals and your own internal signals When in doubt...... get out!

27.  Listen at the door before knocking and stand to the side when knocking and when the door is opened  Identify yourself when knocking  You can decide not to go in or to leave immediately if something frightens you. Listen to your instincts When in doubt...... get out!

28.  Do not enter if your client is not there  If you find the door ajar, knock and call out the client’s name. If no one answers, try calling on your cell phone. If there is still no answer, leave and notify your supervisor.  If the client is inappropriately dressed, ask them to get dressed while you wait outside. When in doubt...... get out!

29.  As you enter the home, notice the general interior layout and the exits  Know where the door is in relation to where you are sitting  Position yourself for an easy exit, if necessary  Try to sit on hard chairs, rather than cushioned ones when in the home  Mentally prepare for various situations (e.g. threats by a client, suggestive comments, etc.) Practice an excuse for leaving if you feel uncomfortable When in doubt...... get out!

30.  Remain alert. Watch for changes in the client’s mood, movement or expression  If you feel threatened at any point during a meeting in a client’s home, err on the side of caution and politely terminate the visit and leave  Always be respectful to the client, as you are in their home When in doubt...... get out!

31.  Set boundaries with the client and leave at once if they are crossed (e.g. inappropriate clothing, threats, drug use)  If anything looks out of the ordinary in or around the dwelling, or you feel uneasy about the situation you are in, leave and call the police  If illegal activity is in progress, do not confront– leave immediately. Call the police after you are safely away from the situation When in doubt...... get out!

32.  Trust your gut– if you feel unsafe, get out  Inform your supervisor of any situation with a client or family member that is inappropriate, unsafe, or needs attention When in doubt...... get out!

33.  Scan the area around the home for potential dangers  Do not leave the residence until you feel safe  Ask the client to watch you leave  Check in with your office to let them know you have completed your visit and you are safe When in doubt...... get out!

34.  Establish a buddy system  Do visits in pairs and have a signal  Establish a relationship with law enforcement  Develop a call-in protocol (e.g. every 20 minutes)  Check-in board  Develop a worker safety protocol When in doubt...... get out!

35.  Raise consciousness so that worker safety is seen as a legitimate practice concern  Administrators and supervisors take the lead in promoting safety  Offer in-service training  Develop a user-friendly means of reporting and tracking incidents When in doubt...... get out!

36. Your safety is of utmost importance When in doubt..........get out! When in doubt...... get out!