Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish Co 3/23/2017

Bothell, Lynwood, Marysville, and Granite Falls. Educational presentations are provided at local schools, youth- serving agencies, and community organizations. (4) How and When Services are Provided -The Emergency Shelter Children's Advocate conducts assessments of the children and youth entering DVS's shelter and, together with the accompanying parent, develops intervention plans to ensure that their needs are met. The advocate provides individual counseling and therapeutic activities in the shelter, both individually and in groups, and directly refers children and youth to childcare facilities and community resources as needed. The Supportive Housing Family Advocate visits children and youth in the supportive housing program at their apartments a minimum of once per week. Children's advocacy ensures that the children and youth receive needed services and that they transition smoothly into new schools and neighborhoods. Weekly educational support groups are held for children and youth residing in the emergency shelter and in supportive housing. Respite care is provided in the shelter to allow the mothers time to tend to their own service needs. A weekly parenting group is held in the shelter. The advocates teach and model age appropriate non-physical discipline techniques. In-shelter services occur primarily in the day and early evenings; support group times include various day and evening times to accommodate different schedules. (5) By Whom Services are Provided -Services are provided by one full-time Children's Advocate (Emergency Shelter), one full-time Family Advocate (Supportive Housing) and a half-time Children's Program Assistant. All children's services staff have training in child development, abuse/neglect, and domestic violence issues. Approximately 6-10 volunteers assist with the Children's Program, providing a total of over 200 volunteer hours per year. All direct service staff and volunteers have a minimum 20 hours initial training in domestic violence and advocacy-based counseling issues followed by 20 hours of continuing education every year. Both the initial training and the annual continuing training include a minimum of 5 hours of training on diversity and cultural competency. 2