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1. Domestic Violence and Homelessness Technical Assistance Initiative

The National Center on Family Homelessness is conducting a brief survey of providers working with families experiencing domestic violence and homelessness. The goal of this survey is to better understand the needs of the service providers in order to develop and disseminate a toolkit to help train those in the field. The goal of this project is to equip providers with practical knowledge of homelessness and its intersection with domestic violence, helping to improve integration of the two service systems. The toolkit will be disseminated nationwide and the National Center on Family Homelessness will conduct two one hour webcasts to provide training and review the toolkit. Continuing education credits will be made available for social workers wishing to attain professional development credit.

The survey is also designed to get a sense of what gaps exist in services for families experiencing BOTH homelessness and domestic violence. Please answer all questions as completely as possible.

1. Please indicate the system in which you work:

Please indicate the system in which you work: DV-Focused Transitional Housing Program

DV-Focused Domestic Violence Shelter

Non-DV-Focused Emergency Shelter

Other

(please specify)

2. Please tell us about the population served by your program; approximately what percentage of program participants in the past year were recent victims of domestic violence (i.e., victims of violence that continued to adversely impact their lives and/or threaten their safety)?

Please tell us about the population served by your program; approximately what percentage of program participants in the past year were recent victims of domestic violence (i.e., victims of violence that continued to adversely impact their lives and/or threaten their safety)? None

1%-25%

26-50%

51-75%

76%-100%

Don't Know

3. Please tell us about the population served by your program; approximately what percentage of program participants have experienced homelessness in the past year?

Please tell us about the population served by your program; approximately what percentage of program participants have experienced homelessness in the past year? None

1%-25%

26-50%

51-75%

76%-100%

Don't Know

4. What is the average length of stay for families in your program?

What is the average length of stay for families in your program? 30 days or less

31-60 days

61-90 days

91-180 days

at least six months, but less than a year

at least a year but less than 18 months

at least 18 months but less than 2 years

at least 2 years

Other:

Please specify

For DV-focused shelters and DV-focused transitional housing programs, please answer questions 5 and 6. Non-DV-focused emergency shelter providers skip to question 7

5. Are you familiar with the policies and practices of the non-DV-focused emergency shelter system?

Are you familiar with the policies and practices of the non-DV-focused emergency shelter system? Yes

If no, what would you like to know?

6. To what extent does your program work in collaboration with non-DV-focused programs addressing homelessness?

To what extent does your program work in collaboration with non-DV-focused programs addressing homelessness? Never

Sometimes

Often

Always

For non-DV-focused emergency shelter providers, please answer questions 7 through 9. DV-focused shelters and DV-focused transitional housing programs skip to # 10

7. Are you familiar with the policies and practices of the domestic violence shelter and transitional housing system?

Are you familiar with the policies and practices of the domestic violence shelter and transitional housing system? Yes

If no, what would you like to know?

8. To what extent does your program work in collaboration with programs addressing domestic violence?

To what extent does your program work in collaboration with programs addressing domestic violence? Never

Sometimes

Often

Always

9. Do you formally screen families for domestic violence during intake?

Do you formally screen families for domestic violence during intake? Yes

If yes, do you provide or refer them for services to specifically address domestic violence?

ALL providers, please answer all of the following questions.

10. What types of services do families receive in your program (either in house or by a referral to a partner organization)? Check all that apply

What types of services do families receive in your program (either in house or by a referral to a partner organization)? Check all that apply Case Management

Education (Adult Basic Education, ESL, GED)

Job Skills training/transitional jobs

Financial literacy and budgeting classes

Parenting Skills Training

Legal Advocacy

Housing Search

Rental Assistance

Permanent Housing Placement Assistance

Mental Health Services

Early Intervention

Child and Family Services

Children’s Mentoring Program

Tutoring/Educational Programming for Children

Food/Nutrition Services

Safety Planning

Counseling to Address Domestic Violence

Services for Child Witness to Violence

Other:

11. What would you like to know about the intersection between domestic violence and homelessness? Please be as specific as possible.

What would you like to know about the intersection between domestic violence and homelessness? Please be as specific as possible.

12. If you would like to see a sharing of information between DV-focused providers and non-DV-focused shelters and other mainstream homeless services providers including public schools, how would you like to see this happen? Please be as specific as possible

If you would like to see a sharing of information between DV-focused providers and non-DV-focused shelters and other mainstream homeless services providers including public schools, how would you like to see this happen? Please be as specific as possible There is no need for such sharing

I would like to see the following kind of sharing

please specify

13. If you would like to see trainings to improve coordination between DV-Focused Shelter and Transitional Housing Programs, and non-DV-focused Homeless Services, including the non-DV-focused Shelter systems for women, children, and families? Please rank order from 1= Most needed to 10= Least needed

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
How to improve Partnership and Collaboration across Services Sectors	*If you would like to see trainings to improve coordination between DV-Focused Shelter and Transitional Housing Programs, and non-DV-focused Homeless Services, including the non-DV-focused Shelter systems for women, children, and families? Please rank order from 1= Most needed to 10= Least needed How to improve Partnership and Collaboration across Services Sectors 1	How to improve Partnership and Collaboration across Services Sectors 2	How to improve Partnership and Collaboration across Services Sectors 3	How to improve Partnership and Collaboration across Services Sectors 4	How to improve Partnership and Collaboration across Services Sectors 5	How to improve Partnership and Collaboration across Services Sectors 6	How to improve Partnership and Collaboration across Services Sectors 7	How to improve Partnership and Collaboration across Services Sectors 8	How to improve Partnership and Collaboration across Services Sectors 9	How to improve Partnership and Collaboration across Services Sectors 10
Understanding Family and Child Homelessness	Understanding Family and Child Homelessness 1	Understanding Family and Child Homelessness 2	Understanding Family and Child Homelessness 3	Understanding Family and Child Homelessness 4	Understanding Family and Child Homelessness 5	Understanding Family and Child Homelessness 6	Understanding Family and Child Homelessness 7	Understanding Family and Child Homelessness 8	Understanding Family and Child Homelessness 9	Understanding Family and Child Homelessness 10
Best practices for Addressing Homelessness for Women and Children	Best practices for Addressing Homelessness for Women and Children 1	Best practices for Addressing Homelessness for Women and Children 2	Best practices for Addressing Homelessness for Women and Children 3	Best practices for Addressing Homelessness for Women and Children 4	Best practices for Addressing Homelessness for Women and Children 5	Best practices for Addressing Homelessness for Women and Children 6	Best practices for Addressing Homelessness for Women and Children 7	Best practices for Addressing Homelessness for Women and Children 8	Best practices for Addressing Homelessness for Women and Children 9	Best practices for Addressing Homelessness for Women and Children 10
Core Skills to Address Homelessness: Case Management, Housing, Support Services	Core Skills to Address Homelessness: Case Management, Housing, Support Services 1	Core Skills to Address Homelessness: Case Management, Housing, Support Services 2	Core Skills to Address Homelessness: Case Management, Housing, Support Services 3	Core Skills to Address Homelessness: Case Management, Housing, Support Services 4	Core Skills to Address Homelessness: Case Management, Housing, Support Services 5	Core Skills to Address Homelessness: Case Management, Housing, Support Services 6	Core Skills to Address Homelessness: Case Management, Housing, Support Services 7	Core Skills to Address Homelessness: Case Management, Housing, Support Services 8	Core Skills to Address Homelessness: Case Management, Housing, Support Services 9	Core Skills to Address Homelessness: Case Management, Housing, Support Services 10
Understanding Domestic Violence	Understanding Domestic Violence 1	Understanding Domestic Violence 2	Understanding Domestic Violence 3	Understanding Domestic Violence 4	Understanding Domestic Violence 5	Understanding Domestic Violence 6	Understanding Domestic Violence 7	Understanding Domestic Violence 8	Understanding Domestic Violence 9	Understanding Domestic Violence 10
Best Practices for Survivors of Domestic Violence	Best Practices for Survivors of Domestic Violence 1	Best Practices for Survivors of Domestic Violence 2	Best Practices for Survivors of Domestic Violence 3	Best Practices for Survivors of Domestic Violence 4	Best Practices for Survivors of Domestic Violence 5	Best Practices for Survivors of Domestic Violence 6	Best Practices for Survivors of Domestic Violence 7	Best Practices for Survivors of Domestic Violence 8	Best Practices for Survivors of Domestic Violence 9	Best Practices for Survivors of Domestic Violence 10
Core Skills to Address Domestic Violence	Core Skills to Address Domestic Violence 1	Core Skills to Address Domestic Violence 2	Core Skills to Address Domestic Violence 3	Core Skills to Address Domestic Violence 4	Core Skills to Address Domestic Violence 5	Core Skills to Address Domestic Violence 6	Core Skills to Address Domestic Violence 7	Core Skills to Address Domestic Violence 8	Core Skills to Address Domestic Violence 9	Core Skills to Address Domestic Violence 10
Trauma-Informed Care	Trauma-Informed Care 1	Trauma-Informed Care 2	Trauma-Informed Care 3	Trauma-Informed Care 4	Trauma-Informed Care 5	Trauma-Informed Care 6	Trauma-Informed Care 7	Trauma-Informed Care 8	Trauma-Informed Care 9	Trauma-Informed Care 10
Self-Care and Vicarious Trauma for Staff and Providers	Self-Care and Vicarious Trauma for Staff and Providers 1	Self-Care and Vicarious Trauma for Staff and Providers 2	Self-Care and Vicarious Trauma for Staff and Providers 3	Self-Care and Vicarious Trauma for Staff and Providers 4	Self-Care and Vicarious Trauma for Staff and Providers 5	Self-Care and Vicarious Trauma for Staff and Providers 6	Self-Care and Vicarious Trauma for Staff and Providers 7	Self-Care and Vicarious Trauma for Staff and Providers 8	Self-Care and Vicarious Trauma for Staff and Providers 9	Self-Care and Vicarious Trauma for Staff and Providers 10
Child Development and Child Assessment	Child Development and Child Assessment 1	Child Development and Child Assessment 2	Child Development and Child Assessment 3	Child Development and Child Assessment 4	Child Development and Child Assessment 5	Child Development and Child Assessment 6	Child Development and Child Assessment 7	Child Development and Child Assessment 8	Child Development and Child Assessment 9	Child Development and Child Assessment 10

Other:

14. What obstacles exist for the two systems working more closely together? Please be as specific as possible.

What obstacles exist for the two systems working more closely together? Please be as specific as possible.

15. To what degree do the domestic violence and the shelter systems Communicate to meet families' needs?

To what degree do the domestic violence and the shelter systems Communicate to meet families' needs? Never

Sometimes

Often

Always

Please explain any obstacles to communication:

16. What do you think the non-DV-focused homeless services system (including, but not limited to, shelters) and the domestic violence systems should know about each other? Please be specific.

What do you think the non-DV-focused homeless services system (including, but not limited to, shelters) and the domestic violence systems should know about each other? Please be specific.

17. How often do DV and the non-DV Shelter systems participate in cross-trainings in your geographic area?

How often do DV and the non-DV Shelter systems participate in cross-trainings in your geographic area? Never

Sometimes

Often

Always

18. Are there any policy or service gaps in the way domestic violence programs and homeless-related programs interact?

Are there any policy or service gaps in the way domestic violence programs and homeless-related programs interact? Yes

If yes, please explain:

19. Does your program use Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) or a so-called Comparable Data System to track services to program participants?

Does your program use Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) or a so-called Comparable Data System to track services to program participants? HMIS

Comparable Data System - In-House System (e.g., MS Excel, Access, or other data system that you or a consultant designed using standard spread sheet or database software)

Comparable Data System - Commercially Designed System (e.g., "Alice")

No electronic data base used

20. If you are using an electronic database to track participant services, are you concerned about confidentiality for survivors of domestic violence?

If you are using an electronic database to track participant services, are you concerned about confidentiality for survivors of domestic violence? Yes

21. If you are using an electronic database to track participant services, how do you protect a survivor's confidentiality and safety?

If you are using an electronic database to track participant services, how do you protect a survivor's confidentiality and safety?

The next five questions will ask about trauma, its impact, and understanding trauma-informed practice.
Domestic Violence and Homelessness are traumatic experiences. The loss of home, community, stability, and safety is outside the realm of everyday experience and is extremely stressful. When working with families and children experiencing domestic violence and homelessness, the use of a “trauma-lens” provides a way to understand families’ behaviors, attitudes, and emotions as adaptive responses to their traumatic experiences.

22. To what extent does your program formally address issues of safety for families and children who have experienced domestic violence?

To what extent does your program formally address issues of safety for families and children who have experienced domestic violence? Never

Sometimes

Often

Always

Please describe how your program addresses safety concerns, and any obstacles to keeping families safe:

23. Does your program assess for trauma?

Does your program assess for trauma? Yes

24. Please explain your trauma assessment process and how you use the information to help participants.

Please explain your trauma assessment process and how you use the information to help participants.

25. Are you familiar with the practice of trauma-informed care?

Are you familiar with the practice of trauma-informed care? Yes

If no, what would like to know?

26. Does your program formally assess the needs of children?

Does your program formally assess the needs of children? Yes

If yes, please explain how:

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey!

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1. Domestic Violence and Homelessness Technical Assistance Initiative

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