This training provides public assistance professionals with essential knowledge and skills to recognize, respond to and appropriately refer individuals who may be experiencing domestic abuse. Designed for staff in client-facing programs, this course explores the dynamics and impacts of domestic abuse while emphasizing survivor-centered, trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches to service delivery.
Participants will gain practical strategies for supporting safety, fostering trust and navigating sensitive conversations while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality. Through the Recognize-Respond-Refer framework, learners will strengthen their ability to identify potential indicators of abuse, understand the barriers survivors may face when seeking help, and connect individuals with appropriate resources and support systems. The course also examines effective collaboration with community partners and the importance of staff well-being in delivering compassionate, equitable services.
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe how the Recognize–Respond–Refer framework guides survivor-centered public assistance interactions.
- Identify forms, patterns and potential signs of domestic abuse across relationships, populations and in-person and telephone service settings.
- Explain how trauma, identity, access barriers and system-related fears can affect survivor behavior, disclosure, participation and help-seeking.
- Select and practice trauma-informed, culturally responsive communication strategies that protect privacy, support choice and avoid pressuring a person to disclose.
- Distinguish the roles and responsibilities of county staff and domestic abuse advocates related to confidentiality, mandated reporting, documentation, safety planning and collaboration.
- Identify safe, survivor-directed referral and warm-handoff practices and explain how staff stress or compassion fatigue can affect survivor interactions.