Supporting Children Exposed to Domestic Violence

1. Supporting Children Exposed to Domestic Violence Creating a Coordinated Response in Elementary Schools

2. Introductions • Trainers’ Names and affiliations

3. Training Purpose • School’s interest in this issue

4. How to Access the Coordinated Action Plan • Location of Coordinated Action Plan in school • CAP Coordinator’s name and contact information

5. How Domestic Violence Impacts Children • Children who are exposed to domestic violence at home may have serious difficulties at school

6. Local Statistics • Include statistics from your city or region, such as: • Number of individuals served by domestic violence programs • Number of people who died as a result of domestic violence • Hotline calls received by local domestic violence programs

7. What We Can Do As a School • Make sure we all know our roles in helping children and families get the help they need • Work with community partners to get additional sources of support for our students • Be trained to better respond to students exposed to domestic violence

8. Roles of Staff • All of us: • Recognize warning signs • Provide a safe space for children to tell their stories • Refer appropriately to trained professionals in the school

9. Roles of Staff CAP Coordinator • Accept referrals from other school staff • Assess student needs • Make appropriate referrals to outside agencies • Keep records of referrals • Provide ongoing support for students • Serve as the lead staff member for school staff to come to with domestic violence-related concerns about students

10. Roles of Staff School Resource Officer Document signs of abuse Help plan school-wide prevention or safety activities Work collaboratively with school social worker School Nurse • File police reports for relevant incidents • Work collaboratively with other school security personnel and community police • Help plan school-wide prevention or safety activities

11. Warning Signs of DV Exposure • Coming to school more tired than usual • Expressing excess worry about possible danger • New disciplinary or aggression problems, such as bullying or outbursts of anger • Seems to dread going home • Stereotyped beliefs about gender (usually males as perpetrators and females as victims)

12. Warning Signs of DV Exposure • Physical complaints (constant stomachaches or headaches) • Problems with attendance, especially new problems • Unexplained changes in behavior, grades, demeanor, or physical appearance • Unexplained bruises or injuries

13. Making a Referral • Insert staff roles flow chart

14. Creating an Individual Action Plan • Insert image of Individual Action Plan

15. CAP Coordinator • Insert contact information for CAP Coordinator