6/15/14
1
the Safe and Together™ model: A perpetrator pattern, child centered,
survivor strength based approach to the intersection of domestic violence and
child maltreatment David Mandel, MA,LPC
June 2014
International Center for Innovation in Domestic Violence Practice (ICIDVP)
ICIDVP Practice Innovations
Safe and Together Model Suite of Tools and Interventions
Continuum of Domestic Violence Practice (CODVP)
SafeEngagement/FathersPlus for home visitors, fatherhood programs and others
Perpetrator Accountability and Change (PAC)
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Safe and Together™ Model Suite of Tools and Interventions
• Keynotes and conference presentations • Training and coaching packages • Practice, documentation, supervision and
assessment tools • Data, research and policy consultation • Cross system collaboration packages • Service delivery design • Safe and Together model online learning courses • Safe and Together model institutes and certification
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
6/15/14
2
Safe and Together™ model: Be:er Outcomes for Families and Systems
Foundation • Model Characteristics • Principles • Critical Components
Practice Tools • Mapping • Pivoting • Case Planning Guide • Supervisor Matrix • Pathways and Planning
Domestic Violence Informed Child Welfare System
• Improved Competencies • Improved Cross System Collaboration
Better Outcomes for Families: Safety, Well Being & Permanency
• Better Assessment • Better Partnerships • Better Case Plans
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Safe and Together Model: Application
• Differential Response States & Efforts o Ohio: Certified Safe and Together model trainings (statewide DR add on) o Connecticut: Safe and Together mode consultants (statewide) o Colorado: Statewide training, policy technical assistance (statewide) o New York: Hotline training, support for co-located DV advocates,
statewide training, region specific training (statewide)
o Oregon: support for co-located advocates; other training (statewide)
• Non-Differential Response States & Efforts o Florida: Subject Matter Experts, co-located advocates (statewide) o Kansas City, MO & Lincoln NB: Support for local domestic violence
collaboratives
o New Jersey: support for co-located domestic violence advocates o Other states: Wisconsin, Louisiana, Vermont, Tennessee, Maine o Other countries: England, Scotland, Ireland, Singapore, Australia
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
The domestic violence perpetrator and his behavior* are the
foundational source of the risk and safety concerns for children. * not the adult survivor
or her behavior
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
When Domestic Violence is the Concern……
6/15/14
3
Mul$ple pathways to harm
(C) 2014 David Mandel & Associates LLC www.endingviolence.com
Perpetrator’s Pattern • Coercive control toward adult survivor
• Actions taken to harm children
Children’s Trauma • Victim of physical abuse • Seeing, hearing or learning about the violence
Effect on partner’s parenting • Depression/PTSD/anxiety/substance abuse • Loss of authority • Energy goes to addressing perpetrator instead of children
• Interference with day to day routine and basic care
Effects on family ecology • Loss of income • Housing instability • Loss of contact with extended family • Educational and social disruptions
Harm to child • Behavioral, Emotional, Social, Educational • Developmental • Physical Injury
Perpetrator Pa:ern-‐‑Based to Domestic Violence and Children
• Looks at the perpetrator’s behavior, not the relationship, as the source of the domestic violence
• Highlights the choice(s) to be violent, abusive and controlling as parenting choices
• Beyond current relationship: 360 degrees assessment of perpetrator pattern
• More than adult on adult behavior: Strong nexus between domestic violence perpetrator’s behaviors child safety and well being.
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Low Standards for Fathers
Weak Nexus Between
Perpetrator PaPern & Harm to Children
(C) 2014 David Mandel & Associates LLC www.endingviolence.com
Foundation for “Failure to Protect” approach to intersection of domestic violence and child maltreatment
6/15/14
4
High Standards for Fathers
Strong Nexus Between
Perpetrator PaPern & Harm to Children
(C) 2014 David Mandel & Associates LLC www.endingviolence.com
Foundation for perpetrator pattern-based approach to intersection of domestic violence and child maltreatment
Domestic Violence
Destructive
Domestic Violence
Incapable
Domestic Violence Blindness
Domestic Violence Pre-Competence
Domestic Violence
Competence
Domestic Violence
Proficiency
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
“Failure to Protect” Perpetrator Pattern
Fathers Invisible High Standards for Fathers
Child v. Adult Survivor Child Safety & Well Being Tied to Adult Survivor
Weak Nexus Strong Nexus
Policy Practice Training Services Collaboration
About the Adults Integrated with children/other CPS issues
Continuum of Domestic Violence Practice (CODVP)
(C) 2014 David Mandel & Associates LLC www.endingviolence.com
Domestic Violence
Destructive
Domestic Violence
Incapable
Domestic Violence Blindness
Domestic Violence Pre-Competence
Domestic Violence
Competence
Domestic Violence
Proficiency
Domestic Violence Informed Child Welfare System
6/15/14
5
Highly gendered view of parenting/low standards
for fathers
Anemic articulation of fathers’ influence in lives of their children/family
No/limited assessment of fathers’ role in family
No/limited documentation/case planning related to
fathers
Lack of development of gender responsive
culturally specific policies/services/interventions for
fathers
Invisible Fathers=Poor Work with Families
(C) 2014 David Mandel & Associates LLC www.endingviolence.com
High standards for fathers
Explicitly including respect and support of female
partner as part of definition of good father
Broadly assessing fathers’ positive and negative role
in family
Documenting fathers’ role and impact on family/case planning accounts for his influence/includes him
Gender responsive, culturally specific policies/services/interventions for
fathers
High Standards for Fathers = Better Work with Families
(C) 2014 David Mandel & Associates LLC www.endingviolence.com
Model Characteristics
Child centered
approach to domestic violence
Fact based
Gender responsive
Strengths based
Integrative & Inter-‐‑
disciplinary
“Beyond Services”
“Removal is an option of last resort” approach
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
6/15/14
6
Safe and Together™ Principles
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
1
2
3
Keeping child Safe and Together™ with non-‐‑offending parent
Safety Healing from trauma Stability and nurturance
Partnering with non-‐‑offending parent as default position Efficient Effective Child-‐‑centered
Intervening with perpetrator to reduce risk and harm to child
Engagement Accountability Courts
Safe and Together™ Critical Components
Perpetrator’s paPern of coercive
control
Actions taken by the perpetrator to harm the child
Full spectrum of the non-‐‑offending parent’s efforts to promote the safety and well being of
the child
Adverse impact of the perpetrator’s behavior on the
child
Role of substance abuse, mental
health, culture and other socio-‐‑
economic factors
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Practice Tools for Domestic Violence Informed Child Welfare System
Mapping Adult Survivor’s Protective Capacity
Mapping Perpetrator’s
Pattern
Domestic Violence Case Planning Guide
Supervisor Matrix
Pivoting
Pathways and Planning
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
6/15/14
7
Safe and Together Practice Tools
Mapping Perpetrator’s Pa:ern • Assessment • Interviewing • Case Planning
Pivoting • Keeping the focus on the source of the safety and risk
• Strengthening partnership with adult domestic violence survivor
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Pivoting Pivoting is a three step process: 1. Validate the worker: Acknowledgment and validation of the social
workers strengths, challenges and good intent. 2. Pivot to the Perpetrator: Pivoting from the focus on the survivor to the
focus on the perpetrator. Part 1: What do we know about the perpetrator’s pattern of behavior: Part 2: Assess interventions with perpetrator that are designed to reduce risk and safety concerns for children and family
3. Return to the survivor: After the initial pivot towards the perpetrator has been completed, pivot back to the survivor to check in on the presenting issue and/or determine how the conversation about the perpetrator can impact the practice related to the adult survivor.
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Assessment skills around perpetrator behavior risk of harm to children
• Reading the history and all sources of information including interviews for the pattern of behavior including direct and indirect involvement of the children
• Integrating high expectations for fathers as parents into interview/assessment
• Interviewing o The ability to listen for indicators of coercive control, o ask questions of all family members without jargon o Specific ability to talk directly about violence
• Ability to tell story about how perpetrator’s behavior is harming the children in multiple domains of functioning
• Not allowing lack of engagement by alleged perpetrator define assessment
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
6/15/14
8
Setting high standards for perpetrators as parent
• Setting child centered expectations for perpetrator as part of case plans o Stop identified abusive, controlling behaviors
o Parenting specific expectations
o Support for other parent’s parenting
o Compliance with court orders including child support/custody
o Support for children’s basic needs
o Support for recommended children’s therapeutic needs (when necessary)
o Engage in treatment/intervention specifically designed to address identified pattern
o Engage in other treatment/services (when necessary)
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Child Welfare Perpetrator Checklist • Has the perpetrator been interviewed?
• Can we describe the perpetrator’s pattern of coercive control and actions taken to harm the children?
• Can we describe the non-offending parents efforts to protect the children?
• Does the case plan involve specific steps and expectations for the perpetrator?
• Do these specific steps address the perpetrator’s pattern of coercive control?
• Is there coordination between criminal court, CPS and/or other systems regarding the perpetrator?
• Is the perpetrator being referred to appropriate resources, e.g. evaluation and treatment?
• Is court/CP agency outlining the changes they expect the perpetrator to make?
• Is the perpetrator being held equally accountable as parent or parental figure for the safety and well-being of their children?
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Worker’s Skills Related to Perpetrators
• Ability to introduce child welfare’s concerns relate to abuse in non-judgmental, respectful manner.
• Ability to keep interview focused on the perpetrator’s behavior and its impact on children and the family.
• Ability to explore the perpetrator’s own perception of the problem and its impact on himself and others.
• Develop a case plan that focuses measureable behavior change goals related to coercive control and other identified issues
• Ability to address the case plan with the perpetrator
• Understands the resources and services for domestic violence perpetrator (batterer intervention), can articulate dangers related to other interventions e.g. family/couples counseling and the interrelationship of mental health and substance abuse services.
• Can present and document domestic violence as factor starting with a description of the perpetrator’s behavior
• Makes effort to coordinate with criminal court and law enforcement when appropriate
• Can develop a petition that focuses on the domestic violence perpetrator as the source of the safety concerns
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
6/15/14
9
CW Worker Skills For Partnering with Survivors
• Ability to introduce child welfare’s concerns in a non-blaming way.
• Assessing/listening for her strengths as it relates to day to day safety and well being efforts
• Validating her strengths
• Collaboratively developing a safety plan
• Developing a case plan that supports her needs/doesn’t set her up to fail/helps her
• Working collaboratively with victim services
• Presenting survivors strengths to supervisor and/or team (who may be less than sympathetic)
• Making appropriate referrals to substance abuse , mental health and in-home service providers
• Developing a petition that focuses on the domestic violence perpetrator as the source of the safety concerns
(c) 2011 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
CW Worker Skills Associated with Working With Child Witness of
Domestic violence • Is familiar with ages and stages of development and how perpetrators’
behavior may impact children throughout the development cycle. • Is familiar with age appropriate interviewing techniques, e.g. getting
down to eye level of young child • Asks open ended questions about happened related to the domestic
violence • Is open to a range of children’s reactions to the domestic violence. • Explores specifics of how child was impacted? e.g. “what were you
scared would happen?” • Is familiar with modalities of treatment for children exposed to violence • Can develop case plan that addresses child’s need for safety, stability,
emotional nurturance
(c) 2011 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
What is the Safe and Together Advocacy Institute?
• Joint project with Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV)
• Goals of the Advocate Institute include: o Strengthening individual advocacy skills of advocates who work
with child welfare involved clients o Improving cross system collaboration between advocates and
child welfare o Improving advocates’ ability to provide case consultation/
assistance for child welfare partners (including a better understanding of child welfare policies, timelines, and practice)
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
6/15/14
10
Safe and Together Advocacy Institute
• 5 month intensive process
• Rigorous application process, including letters of recommendation. Minimum 1 year of experience
• 6 Days of face-to-face training
• Monthly coaching and individual mentoring
• Training requirements for peers and child welfare partners
• Monthly journal entries
• Successful completion will result in Safe and Together Certification
•
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Advocacy Institute Journal Themes • Increase in confidence in working with child welfare and
voiced increased skills in working with child welfare-involved clients.
• Seasoned advocates: a renewed passion in their work • Newer advocates state that they are feeling more confident
and capable in their roles. • Better able to identify and support mothers' parenting
strengths and advocate for child welfare-involved clients. • Using the perpetrator pattern-based approach inherent in the
Safe and Together Model and the associated practice tools, has empowered them to work more collaboratively with child welfare, and help child welfare focus more on effective interventions with domestic violence perpetrators.
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Advocacy Institute Journal Sample • ”My communication with (child protection investigators) is getting better because I
feel more confident and I think that allows me to be more validating of their feelings and to work with them, instead of automatically having defenses up.”
• I feel that Safe and Together is allowing me to be better at my job. I am not only
learning tools to better support and advocate for clients, but I am also learning how to work with agencies that have stereotypically been at odds with ours. When I know that I have to reach out to a (child welfare) worker, I don’t get the nerves and anxiety that I used to…I know how to speak in their language which allows me to use their tools to support and advocate for a mother.”
• I can also work better with the referred mothers…I can also give moms the tools in
the language (Child Welfare) will understand. I have learned that by pivoting the behavior back to the perpetrator (and discussing it as a parenting choice), it really opens up conversation…When I suggest that the way he treats her is also a parenting choice because it puts the children in danger even if they aren’t home, moms respond really well to this. It seems like a barrier goes down because it does not seem like they have to lie to protect their children (from being removed from the home). I am showing them that they are being protective and putting the focus on his behavior. It has really made me a better, more confident advocate.
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
6/15/14
11
Safe and Together Ohio Data • Ohio 3rd Party Evaluation: Study coordinated by Ohio IPV
Collaboration with support from o HealthPath Foundation o NCALP o ODJFS
• Data collected from 12 of the counties trained during 2013, as well as 12 Ohio counties that had participated in Safe and Together training during previous years, and 7 local CPS from AR counties that had not yet participated in the training.
• 5 data collection activities: o an online pre/posttest survey of 837 CPS caseworkers and supervisors o semi-structured interviews with 16 supervisors; o semi-structured interviews with 8 community stakeholders; o desk reviews of 191 CPS case files; and o review of written policies from 15 counties that had completed Safe and Together
training. Exhaustive descriptions of each of these methods are appended to this report.”
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Strong evidence that: • CPS staff assign less blame to victims for staying in a violent relationship;
• CPS staff increase their concern about, and documentation of the effects of children witnessing domestic violence.
Mixed Evidence: • CPS staff increase their understanding of coercive control;
• CPS staff enhance safety planning for victims and children;
• CPS staff increase perpetrators’ accountability.
LiPle evidence that: • CPS agencies change wri:en policies; and
• Community stakeholders become more receptive to Safe and Together policies and principles.
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Safe and Together Florida Data • Work with both child welfare and domestic
violence advocates o Multi-site work with DCF in Florida since 2008 o Relationship with Florida Coalition since 2006 o Different projects
• Subject Matter Experts • Co-located Advocates • Children’s Legal Services • Cultural & Linguistically specific work
• Panhandle o Training and technical assistance for both child welfare
and co-located domestic violence advocates
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
6/15/14
12
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Correla$on between model implementa$on and keeping children
in homes In Jacksonville Florida, the child welfare department was able to track the number of filings and removals for cases where domestic violence was identified. The data indicated a significant drop in neglect petitions (approximately 70% decrease) and removals during a period (approximately 50% decrease) correlated with significant Safe and Together model training.
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
0 2 4 6 8
10 12 14
Novem
ber
Jan 2
008
March
May
July
Septem
be
Novem
ber
Jan 2
009
March
May
July
Septem
be
Novem
ber
Jan 2
010
March
May
July
Judicial action
Out of home placement
Linear (Judicial action)
Linear (Out of home placement)
6/15/14
13
Safe and Together Model Resources & Educational Events
• Open Events o 2nd National Symposium in Seattle WA October 2014 o Thursday Webinar Series: Through June 2014
• Resources o Website: www.endingviolence.com o Safe and Together videos:
• https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeandTogetherModel • http://endingviolence.com/our-products/training/safe-and-together-
model-videos/ o Safe and Together model blog: safe-and-together.endingviolence.com/
blog/
o Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DavidMandelAndAssociates o Twitter: https: //twitter.com/SafeandTogether
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Materials from this training are available for download:
http://endingviolence.com/safe-and-together-scotland/
(c) 2013 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
REGISTER FOR CONFERENCE AT http://www.endingviolence.com
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! 2014 2nd National Safe and Together Model
Symposium October 22-24, 2014 Seattle, Washington
Seattle Marriott Waterfront
Building on successful 1st National Safe and Together Symposium, our 2014 event will have the following enhanced features:
• Full day pre-Symposium workshops- October 22, 2014 • Presentations by Safe and Together sites and partners
• A wider focus including workshops on fathers, domestic violence informed child welfare systems, implementation fidelity and other topics
6/15/14
14
For more informa+on
David Mandel & Associates LLC 860-‐319-‐0966 (USA) www.endingviolence.com [email protected] Friend us on Facebook at: hOp://www.facebook.com/DavidMandelAndAssociates and on TwiOer: hOps: //twiOer.com/SafeandTogether
International Center for Innovation in Domestic Violence Practice (ICIDVP)