Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate (DAVA) - USAF Academy

IVA'AL Solutions, LLC•United States Air Force Academy, CO

10h

About The Position

The Air Force (AF) Family Advocacy Program (FAP) is a medical program that enhances AF readiness by promoting family and community health and resilience. The Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate (DAVA) program provides AF personnel, their family members, or intimate partners who are victims of domestic abuse (DA) (sometimes referred to as domestic violence) non-clinical emergent and urgent service whenever requested. With the exception of mandatory state, federal, and military reporting requirements (i.e., domestic violence, child abuse, and duty to warn situations) the DAVA provides a private and confidential service to encourage victims in seeking assistance.

Requirements

Must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited University in any of the following disciplines: Social Work; Psychology; Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling; Counseling or Behavioral Science; Criminal Justice, or related field.
Must possess 2 years of experience assisting and providing advocacy services to victims of domestic violence/abuse or sexual assault.
Must obtain the Basic Advocate Credential with designation of Comprehensive Intervention Specialist as approved and offered by the National Advocate Credentialing Program, which is overseen by the National Organization for Victims Assistance.
Must pass a criminal history/Security Clearance background check.
Must have transportation and a valid drivers’ license.
All DAVA personnel working within an MTF must maintain current certification in either the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Course (BLS) (Course C) or the American Red Cross Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/BLS (Heart Saver) Course.
Before starting work, DAVA personnel working with MTFs shall provide proof of immunization from the following diseases according to CDC guidelines: Hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and influenza, and proof of a negative TB skin test (completed within the past 12 months (if positive, proof of negative chest X-ray within the past 12 months) prior to start of work).
Must be computer-proficient to work autonomously using Microsoft Office and possess data entry skills needed to create and maintain clinical records. Specifically, DAVAs must utilize Family Advocacy Program Network computer software to document client visits and safety plans in compliance with AF FAP standards and accepted professional practice guidelines.

Responsibilities

Provides 24/7 response to victims alleging abuse (these services are provided based on the needs of client via telephone or in-person).
Establish a Victim’s Safety Plan on a case-by-case basis. The victims’ safety is the DAVA’s top responsibility and priority. The DAVA will review the Safety Plan during each victim contact.
Develop safety plans based on initial and ongoing risk assessments. If imminent risk of serious harm or death is established, notify the social work supervisor, law enforcement, and Command. If children are involved, the process also includes child physical safety and emotional well-being; refer involved children to the treatment or case manager for follow-on care.
Immediately report any changes in the victim’s circumstances that changes or impacts the safety plan to the supervisor and/or social worker or mental health provider in charge.
When determining whether a victim is at imminent risk of serious harm or death, the DAVA will utilize the lethality/risk of imminent harm safety plan and immediately report concerns to the social work supervisor.
Advise victims of the military or civil actions available to promote safety (e.g., military order of protection, restraining order, and injunction).
Offer victims information regarding their identified needs (e.g., emergency shelter, housing, childcare, legal services, clinical resources, medical services, transitional compensation).
Accompany clients to appointments or court proceedings when requested by the client.
Assistance with transportation is typically not provided to clients, however, after consultation with the social work supervisor and when no other reasonable means exist the DAVA may transport the victim to important appointments (i.e.: medical, court, protective actions). The DAVA cannot transport minor children unless accompanied by the parent or legal guardian and has the appropriate safety restraints in the vehicle.
Establish a contact file for each victim served that contains minimal information about the allegations or nature of the incident. The primary purpose of the DAVA contact file is to maintain victim’s name and contact information as well as a log of the victim contacts and nature of the contacts or service provided by the DAVA.
Develop process to keep the social work supervisor and designated POC (e.g. on-call mental health provider, emergency room.) informed of DAVA’s location and timelines when providing DAVA victim services. This process will include location, arrival, and departure notification.
Continually evaluate the quality of the installation’s coordinated community response and collaborate with base agencies to improve the system response to victims.
Empower victims to be involved in plans or decisions about the safety of self and children.
Collaborate and establish protocols with Security Forces Squadron (SFS), Office of Special Investigations (OSI), and Military Medical Treatment Facilities confirming:
24-hour notification of the DAVA in all incidents of suspected DA
Collaboration on safety planning
Training of personnel on the DAVA role
Establish liaisons and partner with civilian DA resources.
At the discretion of the Social Work Supervisor, the DAVA may also provide emotional support and information and referral services to the non-offending caregiver in a child maltreatment or youth sexual assault case.