Understanding safety planning

1. Understanding safety planning connecting Domestic Violence and mainstream housing services Presented by - Denise Doin Coordinated Entry Specialist CARES, Inc. September 20, 2017

2. Why Focus on Domestic Violence (DV) • 80% of women and children who experience homelessness have experienced domestic violence • DV survivors face additional barriers to maintain and/or regain safe and stable housing • In order for DV survivors to safely access and participate in the Coordinate Entry (CE) system modifications need to be made • To answer CoC applications request to demonstrate local efforts by CoCs to address unique needs of persons fleeing DV including access to housing and services while ensuring safety

3. Webinar Goals • To understand Safety Planning as it relates to Domestic Violence and Mainstream Housing • Safety Planning : • A survivors unique strategy to reduce the risks created by their partner’s abuse and control

4. Webinar Agenda • Identify Additional Requirements put forth by HUD regarding Domestic Violence and a CoC’s Coordinated Entry System • To understand the importance of safety planning when working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence • Define: Safety Planning, Trauma Informed Care, Comparable/Parallel CE System • Christine Rodriguez –Equinox • Discussion • Next Steps

5. Additional Requirements • Required DV Specific Policy noted within Policy and Procedure Manual • Required Standardized access point; may allow separate access points • Safety Planning

6. Safety Planning • This Notice further establishes that the coordinated entry process must not jeopardize the safety of the individuals and families seeking assistance • The written policies and procedures for coordinated entry must include protocols that ensure at a minimum that people fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence have safe and confidential access to the coordinated entry process • Individuals will also have access to victim services, including access to the comparable process used by victim service providers, as applicable, and immediate access to emergency services such as domestic violence hotlines and shelters

7. Privacy protection • Participants may not be denied access to the coordinated entry process on the basis that the participant is or has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking • Section 578.103(b) of the CoC program rule requires that records containing personally identifiable information are kept secure and confidential and the address of any family violence project not be made public

8. Defining Safety Planning A survivors unique strategy to reduce the risks created by their partner’s abuse and control • In the DV field safety planning involves a risk/lethality assessment; however this is typically best left to victim services experts • CoC’s and CE staff should be trained to consider and discuss safety as it pertains to a survivors participation in coordinated entry, housing and service matching process

9. Trauma Informed Care A process that focuses on understanding, recognizing and responding to the impact of trauma. This process emphasizes physical, psychological and emotional safety while enabling the survivor to regain a sense of control over their life • Consider how individuals with a trauma history may interpret the assessment process, is it • Rushed • Intrusive • Did you allow time to establish rapport before asking difficult questions

10. Comparable /Parallel CE Systems An alternative coordinated entry process for people fleeing domestic violence/sexual assault • Must adhere to the same requirements as the broader CE process • Ensures equal access to homeless services and housing programs provided through the primary access point • Aligns with the CES Policy Brief except that it targets survivor population

11. recap • Safety must be protocol for every client • Include emotional safety • Use the assessment process to safely draw out information that will help inform service planning • Never include details of safety plan in documentation • Always offer connection to local DV resources

12. Discussion questions • How accessible are your agency’s services to survivors; How could survivors view your agency as a safe place • How are DV / SA survivors’ accessing housing/rapid re-housing programs in your area; If DV survivors are approached differently than other people in need of housing, what’s different about the process • Is there mobility to meet someone where they are • Are DV/SA providers in your community working with homeless assistance providers to connect survivors and safe housing

13. Guest presenter Christine Rodriguez Director of Domestic Violence and Outreach Services Equinox

14. Discussion questions • How accessible are your agency’s services to survivors How could survivors view your agency as a safe place • How are DV / SA survivors’ accessing housing/rapid re-housing programs in your area; If DV survivors are approached differently than other people in need of housing, what’s different about the process • Is there mobility to meet someone where they are • Are DV/SA providers in your community working with homeless assistance providers to connect survivors and safe housing

15. Next Steps • Meet HUD’s additional requirements regarding Domestic Violence and Safety Planning January 2018 • Partner with your local DV/SA programs to build a smooth and safe process for survivors to be referred to the homeless/housing system – and vice versa • Additional CoC wide trainings in Domestic Violence and Trauma Informed Care