1. What do Domestic Violence Advocates do for Children? Explaining Your Role to Child Welfare

2. Goals Participants will be able to better explain their role to child welfare, including what advocates do to promote child safety Participants will be able to explain the importance of confidentiality and how privileged communication for advocates differs from other professions Participants will learn basic information to child welfare’s mission and goals

3. Child Welfare Mission of child welfare is to promote safety, permanency and well-being of children Child welfare policies and timelines are outlined by both federal and state guidelines Policies outline decision-making, including removals, reunification, and termination of parental rights Child welfare trends point to a move toward increased family engagement, including building on family strengths and supports

4. Domestic Violence Advocacy and Child Welfare Historically there has been tension between child welfare and domestic violence advocates DV Advocates have viewed child welfare as re- victimizing survivors and holding survivors responsible for perpetrators’ behaviors Child welfare has viewed DV advocates as only caring about the adult survivor and not the children

5. Domestic Violence Advocacy and Child Welfare Misunderstandings regarding roles and practices Don’t speak the same language History of mistrust

6. Working with Child Welfare Use language of child safety Focus on survivor strengths as they relate to child safety, healing and well-being Ask clarifying questions, especially regarding acronyms or terms like safety-planning Clearly explain our roles, including range of services and confidentiality Ask about timelines and expectations Keep conversation focused on perpetrator as source of child safety concerns