1. Understanding safety planning
connecting Domestic Violence and mainstream housing services
Presented by -
Denise Doin
Coordinated Entry Specialist
CARES, Inc.
September 20, 2017
A CE process includes all subpopulations, including chronically homelessness, Veterans, families, youth, and survivors of domestic violence & sexual assault

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
This is important because if someone is fleeing Dv but seeking services through a non-victim service provider the safety planning protocol within your CoC’s coordinated Entry system should define how the coordination between mainstream housing agencies and Victim service providers works to ensure the individuals unique needs are being met.

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
Todays webinar will

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
We will also be hearing from Christine Rodriguez from Equinox who will talk about how individuals from the shelter get referred to and involved with coordinated entry process so they are able to access programs they may be eligible for and how their safety and confidentiality is  maintained throughout the process

5. Additional Requirements
Required DV Specific Policy noted within Policy and Procedure Manual
Required Standardized access point; may allow separate access points
Safety Planning
HUD has put forth additional requirements to be implemented January this is what is required in regards to Domestic Violence
The policy and procedures should address how the CE system addresses the needs of individuals and families who are fleeing DV but are seeking services through a non-victim service providers
Although a CE system is required to have standardized access points and assessments it may allow separate access points and variations in assessments to the extent necessary to meet the needs of individuals and families fleeing DV
Creating safety for all who enter the system is best practice

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
•when thinking about safety planning its important to have a ready response/protocol within your agency when sexual or domestic violence is identified. • If danger is current, immediate options for safe housing may be needed • In all cases: informed consent, offer linkages to support services, priority placement, and Safety Planning are imperative

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 (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
Another requirement is privacy protection Personally identifiable information must be kept confidential

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
Again safety planning is some things to consider are Adjusting your physical space to better ensure a private conversation. • Conduct separate interviews/intakes with couples
Example Questions to ask “Is our location safe for you?” • “Are you safe to sit down and talk for awhile?” • “Is there someone here today who makes you feel unsafe?” • “When we finish talking today, can you leave safely?”

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
It might be helpful to establish open exchange by listing some common reasons for seeking help, you might want to list some reasons for seeking shelter including • Left or need to leave a dangerous person in your household or neighborhood • Current housing unsafe because someone is stalking you
• When DV/SA is identified, support survivor in providing you more info ask questions such as Does the DV/SA pose a current threat? • Does survivor have safe place to stay right now? • If danger is imminent and is survivor without options, immediate referral to shelter or other temporary safe housing may be warranted

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
Best when Developed in coordination with local victim service providers.
Promising practice: virtual DV/SA access point or Internet and phone based systems (e.g. 211) that can quickly be accessed from any location where survivor feels safe.

11. Safety must be protocol for every client Include emotional safety
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
safety must be protocol for every client whether they report DV or not when working with a DV/SA survivor Keep in mind that the avenue to reducing risk is highly individualized; survivor’s ideas may look different from yours • Housing location a key safety issue – but so is connection to community • Loss of decision-making power in one’s own life is one of the fundamental harms of experiencing DV/SA so Client centered services are vital here

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
Before we hear from Christine I would like everyone to think about the following questions . We will be coming back to these questions at the end of the webinar today and open it up for group discussion. So Take a look at your agency and ask yourself

13. Guest presenter
Christine Rodriguez Director of Domestic Violence and Outreach Services Equinox
I would like to introduce Christine Rodriguez who is the Director of Domestic violence and outreach services at 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
I would like to go back to the questions I poised earlier and open up for discussion

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
I would like to thank everyone for joining us today