Toolkit with Report Form - Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic ...

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Section five Bringing in Other Individuals Hearing from an outside expert, who is objective in their presentation yet sensitive to the emotions of the group, is often helpful. Factual information can help many people to reach a point of acceptance. Addressing lingering questions and putting the critical incident in its proper context can help reestablish a sense of safety, security and control so that staff can move forward in their daily lives. Examples: ◗ In the case of a building fire, a local fire inspector or fire services professional can talk about the origins of the fire, how the fire may have affected the safety of the building and what could or should be done differently in the future if a similar event occurs. ◗ Medical personnel can attend staff, volunteer, client and community meetings to address questions about the manner of death or serious injury that continues to resonate with those affected by the critical incident. Getting the Word Out During critical incident times ongoing communication with the community is crucial. It is important to document all inhouse communications and to provide written media statements. Media statements should include information that reassures the community that services will resume upon stabilization of the program and informs them how to access services in the interim. Any disruption in services should be reported IMMEDIATELY to PCADV with the information requested on the Domestic Violence Critical Incident Response and Management Report Form. A plan to maintain services until the program is stabilized must be identified. When A Decision To Close Has Been Made If it is necessary for your program to close, provide enough staffing so advocates are available to respond to those clients who are not yet aware of the closing. Staff should remain available until word of the closing is communicated throughout the community. Consider how to reach those current clients who may not have access to any media sources. Review your program’s confidentiality policy. Questions about confidentiality issues should be immediately directed to the PCADV Legal Department. page 28 When Crisis Strikes | Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence | 2012
Confidentiality Concerns Continue Some confusion usually accompanies a critical incident and may interfere with staff acting as they normally would. Confusion may also interfere with one’s ability to recall and follow protocols. Upholding confidentiality during a critical incident continues to be a key tool for protecting the safety of victims of domestic violence. Good control over client documents remains essential even as you stabilize services. Continuity of Services Your program can take a proactive step by creating reciprocal agreements with adjacent programs to cover hotlines, offer alternative shelter and provide other client services in the event of a critical incident. Formalizing these agreements in advance will ensure a smooth transition of those duties during a time when the potential for high stress and disorder exists. Adjust Staffing to Meet Fluctuations in Demands for Service As stated previously, victims who personally associate their situation with that of another victim who has recently been seriously injured or killed may not access services as readily as they would have prior to the traumatic event. If the media has sensationalized a domestic violence death, this may also contribute to an increase or decrease in the numbers of clients accessing your services in the days and weeks following heavy publicity in your local area. Hotline calls may drop off which means fewer staff may need to be scheduled. The shelter may clear out OR may fill up quickly. Be prepared to adjust staffing needs. Requests for services typically stabilize within a few weeks. In the meantime, this is also an opportunity to continue to educate the public (and victims who may be considering accessing your services) about domestic violence lethality and victim and community safety through the media. PCADV is able to provide technical assistance specific to these instances. Please contact the Director of Communications. Handling Specific Types of Incidents Tips For Using The Non-Profit Crisis Response Plan is an excellent resource that addresses incidents likely to occur at a non-profit agency and can help to supplement the information provided here. (http://hollyhartconsulting. com/Resources/docs/Non-Profit%20 Agency%20Tips.pdf © Copyright HollyHartConsulting.com 2010.) Section five When Crisis Strikes | Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence | 2012 page 29
Page 1 and 2: When Crisis Strikes: A Toolkit for
Page 3: TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. When Crisis St
Page 6 and 7: Section ONE PCADV technical Assista
Page 8 and 9: Section two Involve other systems i
Page 10 and 11: COMMUNICATIONS Do: Don’t: Do: Don
Page 12 and 13: Responding to Subpoena for Program
Page 14 and 15: Section four PROTECTING CONFIDENTIA
Page 16 and 17: Section four RESPONDING TO A subpoe
Page 18 and 19: Section four ◗ Staff should never
Page 20 and 21: Section five 4. Trauma ◗ A unique
Page 22 and 23: Section five E. Take Care of Staff
Page 24 and 25: Section five A Team Approach Most c
Page 26 and 27: Section five Communication with Fam
Page 28 and 29: Section five Take Care of Staff Fee
Page 30 and 31: Section five Vicarious Trauma Impli
Page 34 and 35: Section five Physical Injury Severe
Page 36 and 37: Section five In securing personal i
Page 38 and 39: Section five Children and Death Whe
Page 40 and 41: Section five Appendix Resources Res
Page 42 and 43: Section six Managing Communications
Page 44 and 45: Section Six A Reference Guide to th
Page 46 and 47: Section Six Preparing Victims and S
Page 48 and 49: Section Six DISPELLING MYTHS Myth:
Page 50 and 51: Section Six Myth: Women Lie About B
Page 52 and 53: Section Six Myth: There’s Nothing
Page 54 and 55: Section seven Individual and Commun
Page 56 and 57: Section seven Honoring Victims Prof
Page 58 and 59: Section seven Community Awareness E
Page 60 and 61: Section seven Randi’s Race This a
Page 62 and 63: Section 1: General Information Prog

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