Continuum of Domestic
Violence Practice (CODVP)
Domestic Violence Informed Child
Welfare System
Domestic
Violence
Destructiv
e
Domestic
Violence
Incapable
Domestic
Violence
Blindness
Domestic
Violence PreCompetence
Domestic
Violence
Competence
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Domestic
Violence
Proficiency
When Domestic Violence is the
Concern……
The domestic violence
perpetrator and his
behavior* are the
foundational source of
the risk and safety
concerns for children.
* not the adult survivor
or her behavior
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Perpetrator Pattern Based
Definition of Domestic Violence
• Looks at the perpetrator’s behavior, not the relationship,
as the source of the domestic violence
• Highlights the choice(s) to be violent, abusive and
controlling
• Beyond current relationship
o Child safety and wellbeing is not automatically resolved by the ending of
a relationship or change in the living arrangement
o Risk and safety assessment needs to include perpetrator’s behavior in
other relationships, other settings
• More than adult on adult behavior
o Includes the direct and indirect involvement of children in the pattern of
behavior
o Requires conscious look at gender based expectations about parenting
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Domestic violence perpetrators, in the context of the
child welfare system, are parents and/or caregivers
who engage in a pattern of coercive control against
one or more intimate partners. This pattern of behavior
may continue after the end of a relationship, or when
the couple no longer lives together. The perpetrator’s
actions often directly involve, target and impact any
children in the family.
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Multiple pathways to harm
Perpetrator’s
Pattern
•Coercive control toward adult
survivor
•Actions taken to harm
children
Children’s Trauma
•Victim of physical abuse
•Seeing, hearing or learning about the
violence
Effect on partner’s parenting
Effects on family
ecology
•Loss of income
•Housing instability
•Loss of contact with extended family
•Educational and social disruptions
•Depression/PTSD/anxiety/substance abuse
•Loss of authority
•Energy goes to addressing perpetrator instead of
children
•Interference with day to day routine and basic care
Harm to child
•Behavioral, Emotional, Social, Educational
•Developmental
•Physical Injury
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Safe and Together™ model:
Better Outcomes for Families and Systems
Domestic Violence Informed Child
Welfare System
•Improved Competencies
•Improved Cross System
Collaboration
Better Outcomes for Families: Safety,
Well Being & Permanency
•Better Assessment
•Better Partnerships
•Better Case Plans
Practice Tools
Foundation
•Mapping
•Pivoting
•Case Planning Guide
•Supervisor Matrix
•Pathways and Planning
•Model Characteristics
•Principles
•Critical Components
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Child
centered
approach to
domestic
violence
“Removal is
an option of
last resort”
approach
Fact based
Model
Characteristics
“Beyond
Services”
Gender
responsive
Integrative
& Interdisciplinary
Strengths
based
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Interest of
Child
Welfare
The abuse
to stop &
the children
to be okay
Interest of
Adult
Domestic
Violence
Survivor
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Safe and Together™ Principles
1
Keeping child Safe and Together™ with non-offending
parent
2
Partnering with non-offending parent as default position
3
Intervening with perpetrator to reduce risk and harm to
child
Safety
Healing from trauma
Efficient
Engagement
Effective
Stability and nurturance
Child-centered
Accountability
Courts
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission
Safe and Together™ Critical
Components
Perpetrator’s
pattern of coercive
control
Role of substance
abuse, mental
health, culture and
other socioeconomic factors
Adverse impact of
the perpetrator’s
behavior on the
child
Actions taken by
the perpetrator to
harm the child
Full spectrum of
the non-offending
parent’s efforts to
promote the safety
and well being of
the child
(c) 2014 David Mandel Associates LLC Do not reproduce or distribute without permission