MCEDVs work with Child Protective Services

In August 2006 the Coalition received an Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Enforcement Grant. In October of 2006 our first specially-trained domestic violence advocate began working in the Caribou Child Protective Services (CPS) office.  One year later, there are 10 advocates partnering with CPS staff in DHHS offices in all of it’s 3 regions.

MCEDV contracted with the nine domestic violence (DV) projects in Maine, who in turn committed some of their most skilled and knowledgeable staff to this project. Drawing from a pool of experienced advocates in each state-wide project strengthens the partnerships between each district CPS and their local project.  The advocates make an additional commitment to this work by obtaining specialized training in child welfare by attending the five week Child Welfare Training Institute in Augusta. The advocates are then placed in child protective units to provide an opportunity for unplanned consultations with CPS workers and/or victims of domestic violence. Early evaluation of the project shows that 85% of all the consultations occurring between the advocates and CPS are unplanned. This finding underscores the importance of having the advocate onsite.

The role of the CPS/DV advocate is to act as a liaison between victims, CPS, and DV Projects and to partner with the CPS staff in multi-disciplinary teams to achieve better outcomes for children and families. Advocates are extremely flexible in their roles and provide services that include;  consultation, direct services, support groups; facilitating task force groups; attending family team meetings and  providing training.

The advocates are also acting as a resource for their domestic violence [prevention] Projects.  While CPS workers are gaining knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence, DV advocates are gaining knowledge about the Child Welfare System. This knowledge is shared with the local DV Project, enabling them to better serve the adult victim involved in the Child Protective System. Increasing mutual understanding has increased positive relationships between providers, eliminating barriers to safety for DV victims and their children.

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