Prevention & Community Intervention Division
Elizabeth Z. Brown, M.S., Division Director

Domestic Violence Consult to the Department of Children and Families
Contact: Ed Koistinen, Manager

 

Norwich Area DCF Office                                           Willimantic Area DCF Office

United Services has provided services for victims of domestic violence since 1978.  The Connecticut Department of Children and Families has noticed that domestic violence issues surface in many of the child abuse investigations they conduct.  In response to a Request for Proposals from the department, United Services has received two competitive contracts to provide domestic violence consultation and training services to DCF.

 The Domestic Violence Consult to the Department of Children and Families approach is based on “Best Practices” which is to secure the safety of the children and the non-offending parent, to hold the batterer accountable for his violence, to work from an approach of Women Defined Advocacy, in that men are often the ‘predominate aggressor’ in domestic violence and women the recipients of the violence.  The goal of this approach is to hold batterers accountable while supporting the decision-making process of the victim whenever possible.

The consultants will focus primarily on bringing information and knowledge to DCF staff and community providers who may have limited experience/knowledge working with domestic violence issues and providing ongoing resources, education and support for DCF workers.

Eligibility:  DCF workers and community providers involved with ongoing DCF cases

Funding is provided by the Department of Children and Families.