Protecting the Vulnerable During Crisis

This 2-hr. course (CEBroker Course #20-804418) offers skills to Board 491 licensees to screen and evaluate patients/clients for domestic violence (DV), whether as potential survivors or perpetrators, as defined within Florida statutes (CHs 456 and 741). First, DV prevalence and definitions frame initial course content. Secondly, after a brief review of reliable screening/assessment tools and procedures for use in identifying the presence of DV history or prevalence, the course focus turns to key community and/or advocacy groups considered for licensees to refer for patient/client services. Next, we address developing individually tailored, specialized community resources and services systems. We conclude by offering licensees aids to clinical practice via addressing initial and/or long-term therapeutic needs of clients who have been adversely affected by domestic violence. Case studies, therapy techniques, programs, and educational resources (References) are also included.

Course Objectives:

1. Apply FS§741.28 Domestic Violence (DV) and other DV definitions in clinical practice to screen and evaluate potential DV survivors and perpetrators.
2. Employ reliable screening and assessment tools to identify patients/clients with a history of Domestic Violence (DV) as either survivor or as perpetrator.
3. Create information to include in referring patients/clients to community resources and/or advocacy groups, including legal, shelter, counseling, or protective services.
4. Establish clinical practices and procedures to address initial and/or long-term therapeutic needs of survivors(s) and/or perpetrator(s).