Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate (DAVA)
About the role
Offers follow-up DAVA services to each victim:
- Empower the victim to advocate for the needs of self and children.
- Support the victim in decision-making by exploring options.
- Aid the victim in prioritizing actions and establishing short/long-term goals.
- Provide information and referral on military and civilian resources.
Establish a Victim’s Safety Plan on a case-by-case basis. Partners with the FATM and FAIS or mental health on-call provider if the treatment or case manager is unavailable, to establish safety plans. The victims’ safety is the DAVA’s top responsibility and priority. Advises victims of the impact of domestic violence on children and supports victim’s efforts to have children assessed and treated, as needed. Accompanies the victim to appointments or court proceedings when requested by the victim.
Collaborates with treatment/case manager to support the victim and promote safety for the victim and children in the home. The DAVA briefs the treatment/case manager prior to the CCS so that the CCS team has the most current information on the victim and children for staffing.
Develop process to keep the team lead and designated POC (e.g., on-call mental health provider, emergency room.) informed of DAVA’s location and timelines when providing DAVA victim services. This process will include location, arrival, and departure notification.
Continually evaluate the quality of the installation’s coordinated community response and collaborate with base agencies to improve the system response to victims.
Collaborates and establishes protocols with Security Forces Squadron (SFS) and Office of Special Investigations (OSI) confirming:
- 24-hour notification of the DAVA in all incidents of suspected DA
Collaborates and establishes protocols with the Military Treatment Facility confirming:
- 24-hour notification of the DAVA in all incidents of suspected DA
- Training of Military Treatment Facility personnel on the DAVA role
Responsibilities
Offers follow-up DAVA services to each victim:
- Empower the victim to advocate for the needs of self and children.
- Support the victim in decision-making by exploring options.
- Aid the victim in prioritizing actions and establishing short/long-term goals.
- Provide information and referral on military and civilian resources.
Establish a Victim’s Safety Plan on a case-by-case basis. Partners with the FATM and FAIS or mental health on-call provider if the treatment or case manager is unavailable, to establish safety plans. The victims’ safety is the DAVA’s top responsibility and priority. Advises victims of the impact of domestic violence on children and supports victim’s efforts to have children assessed and treated, as needed. Accompanies the victim to appointments or court proceedings when requested by the victim.
Collaborates with treatment/case manager to support the victim and promote safety for the victim and children in the home. The DAVA briefs the treatment/case manager prior to the CCS so that the CCS team has the most current information on the victim and children for staffing.
Develop process to keep the team lead and designated POC (e.g., on-call mental health provider, emergency room.) informed of DAVA’s location and timelines when providing DAVA victim services. This process will include location, arrival, and departure notification.
Continually evaluate the quality of the installation’s coordinated community response and collaborate with base agencies to improve the system response to victims.
Collaborates and establishes protocols with Security Forces Squadron (SFS) and Office of Special Investigations (OSI) confirming:
- 24-hour notification of the DAVA in all incidents of suspected DA
Collaborates and establishes protocols with the Military Treatment Facility confirming:
- 24-hour notification of the DAVA in all incidents of suspected DA
- Training of Military Treatment Facility personnel on the DAVA role
Requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in any of the following disciplines: Social Work; Psychology; Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling; Counseling or Behavioral Science; Criminal Justice, or related field.
- Licensure & Certifications (Current & Unrestricted): Upon hire, or within six-months of hiring, must obtain the Basic Advocate credential (https://www.thenacp.org/credentialing/) with designation of Comprehensive Intervention Specialist as approved and offered by the National Advocate Credentialing Program, which is overseen by the National Organization for Victims Assistance.
- Experience: Two years of experience assisting and providing advocacy services to victims of DA or sexual assault.
- Security & Background Check: Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
- Additional Requirements: Willingness to comply with the government vaccination requirements, reflected of CDC guidelines, for diseases including Hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, influenza, and proof of a negative TB skin test. This requirement is for any Family Advocacy Program personnel working with MTFs and requires personnel to receive the annual influenza vaccination.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in any of the following disciplines: Social Work; Psychology; Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling; Counseling or Behavioral Science; Criminal Justice, or related field.
- Licensure & Certifications (Current & Unrestricted): Basic Advocate credential (https://www.thenacp.org/credentialing/) with designation of Comprehensive Intervention Specialist as approved and offered by the National Advocate Credentialing Program, which is overseen by the National Organization for Victims Assistance.
- Experience: Two years of experience assisting and providing advocacy services to victims of DA or sexual assault.
- Security & Background Check: Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.