Head Start Staff Training and Family Violence
by National Alliance of Business Social Services National Training Contract, Washington. DC.
Family violence has become an all too familiar occurrence in our society. It occurs in households of all ages, races, religions, cultures, educational levels, and socioeconomic groups. Children, siblings, parents, and spouses are abused in homes that should be safe and caring. More than 4 million women are abused each year and research has shown that the correlation between domestic violence and child abuse is extremely high.
As Head Start strives to improve its supportive services for families, the impact of family violence must be considered. To increase staffs capacity to confront this sensitive issue, training in dealing with and under standing family violence is necessary.
Expected Outcomes of Training:
Efforts to reduce the incidence of family violence can be enhanced through prevention training. This training should emphasize the manner in which staff communicates with families, as well as improve staff's ability to develop family activities which:
Training will also increase staffs knowledge and skill of intervention techniques. Staff should improve their ability to:
- Increase parental self-esteem and self-awareness;
- Promote healthy relationships and family functioning;
- Increase communication skills;
- Develop support networks; and,
- Teach skills in conflict management and resolution.
Training Strategies and Resources:
- Provide emotional support;
- Offer information and instruction;
- Refer and accompany family members to social services; and,
- Negotiate with other organizations and service providers.
Head Start programs can develop a family violence training program through partnerships with local women's shelters, domestic violence programs, and child welfare organizations. Staff from these programs can assist Head Start staff in understanding the dynamics of abusive relationships and identify available services. Medical and law enforcement professionals can offer training regarding the signs and symptoms of battering and appropriate legal and medical responses. Forming and improving relationships with local and State social services and housing agencies also promotes favorable relationships for referral of families in time of crisis.
For further information regarding domestic violence, contact the National Council of Child Abuse and Family Violence at 1-800-222-2000. This organization can assist Head Start programs in identifying local services available to families in crisis situations and provide training resources for staff. Additional national training resources are:
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, P.O. Box 18749, Denver, CO 80218-0749. 303-839-1852. Provides technical assistance and information through printed materials, national directories, and monographs which focus on special issues (i.e., family violence in rural communities).
Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, 206 West 4th Street, Duluth, MN 55806. 218-722-4134. Operates a national project which offers training materials and consultant services to assist agencies in developing a community coordinated response to domestic violence.
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 6400 Flank Dr., Ste. 1300, Harrisburg, PA 17112. 717-545-6400. Houses the National Resource Center for Domestic Violence which offers listings of national training resources.