Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish Co 2/7/2018

are attending school and receiving appropriate school-based services. • domestic violence prevention programs in schools and youth-serving agencies aimed at raising awareness about the causes and effects of domestic violence and offering interventions and behavioral alternatives to abuse. • professional training to service providers,teachers,childcare providers, medical and criminal justice personnel. Population to be served: DVSSC's Children's Program target population is children and youth from birth to 18 years of age who have been impacted by domestic violence, and their non-abusive parents. Direct services are currently provided to children and youth and their non-abusive parents residing at DVSSC's Emergency Shelter and in the agency's Supportive Housing program. Support groups for children and youth in the community are currently offered in Everett, Bothell, Lynnwood, Marysville,with plans to initiate a new group in Monroe in 2018. How and when the service will be provided: The Shelter Children's Advocate conducts assessments of the children and youth entering DVSSC'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 children and youth receive needed services and that they transition smoothly into new schools and neighborhoods. Both the Shelter Children's Advocate and the Supportive Housing Family Advocate provide parenting education and support in group settings and one-on-one.They 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. Who will be the service providers: 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.