Enhancing Early Engagement (E3) in mental health services training for children’s advocacy center’s victim advocates: feasibility protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Child maltreatment is a major public issue in the United States, yet most children affected by abuse or neglect never engage in evidence-based practices (EBP) for child mental health. Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs’) are uniquely situated to serve as Family Navigators who connect children impacted by maltreatment to appropriate EBPs. In fact, the CAC position of Victim Advocate mirrors the Mental Health Family Navigator national initiative. Methods The feasibility study protocol is to develop, implement, and evaluate web-based and consultative training for Victim Advocates to enhance early engagement in services (E3 training). The interactive web-based training embeds key targets of knowledge and skills related to family engagement, trauma, and EBP services. Participating CACs were randomized to E3 webinar-based training, E3 webinar plus consultation, or delayed training. The project will test the E3 training’s impact on key mechanisms of change (e.g., knowledge, skills) to improve rates of screening, referral, and access to EBP services. The feasibility of implementing the training program and differential impact and costs by level of training will be examined. Discussion The overarching goal of this project is to test the feasibility of training that is readily implemented through CACs and examine the mechanisms for improving early engagement and, ultimately, child, and adolescent mental health outcomes. Results and cost findings will be used to plan a large-scale comprehensive, mixed-methods hybrid type II effectiveness-implementation and cost-effectiveness trial of family navigator E3 training. If outcomes are positive, considerable infrastructure exists to support the scale-up and sustainability of E3 training nationwide, by embedding the training in national CAC training protocols. Trial registration NCT04221633 Date and version identifier March 25, 2021; Vers. 1.0 (original); September 11, 2021; Vers 2.0 (revision); October 29, 2021; Vers. 3.0 (revision)

Enhancing Early Engagement (E3) in Mental Health Services Training for Children's Advocacy Center's Victim Advocates: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Child maltreatment is a major public issue in the United States, yet most children affected by abuse or neglect never engage in evidence-based practices (EBP) for child mental health. Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs’) are uniquely situated to serve as Family Navigators who connect children impacted by maltreatment to appropriate EBPs. In fact, the CAC position of Victim Advocate mirrors the Mental Health Family Navigator national initiative.Methods: We developed, implemented, and will evaluate web-based and consultative training for Victim Advocates to enhance early engagement in services (E3 training). The interactive web-based training will embed key targets of knowledge and skills related to family engagement, trauma, and EBP services. Participating CACs will be randomized to E3 webinar-based training, E3 webinar plus consultation, or delayed training. The project will test the E3 training’s impact on key mechanisms of change (e.g., knowledge, skills) to improve rates of screening, referral, and access to EBP services. The feasibility of implementing the training program, and differential impact and costs by level of training will be examined.Discussion: The overarching goal of this project is to test a training that is readily implemented through CACs and examine the mechanisms for improving early engagement and, ultimately, child and adolescent mental health outcomes. Results and cost findings will be used to plan a large-scale comprehensive, mixed-methods Hybrid Type II effectiveness-implementation and cost-effectiveness trial of Family Navigator E3 training. If outcomes are positive, considerable infrastructure exists to support the scale-up and sustainability of E3 training nationwide, by embedding the training in national CAC training protocols.Trial registration: NCT04221633Date and version identifier: March 25 2021; Vers. 1.0 (original)

Community Approaches to Sexual Assault: VAWA’s Role and Survivors’ Experiences

This article reviews two types of community-based approaches to addressing sexual assault that survivors may encounter—sexual assault nurse examiners and victim advocates from nonprofit community agencies—and highlights ways that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and its reauthorizations have influenced this work. We also review information on the intersections of the work of these providers with police and prosecutors and include how these relate to survivors’ experiences. We conclude with thoughts that look forward to future research on these issues emphasizing authentic engagement of practitioners and survivors in the research process.

Enhancing Early Engagement (E3) in Mental Health Services Training for Children's Advocacy Center's Victim Advocates: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Child maltreatment is a major public issue in the United States, yet most children affected by abuse or neglect never engage in evidence-based practices (EBP) for child mental health. Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs’) are uniquely situated to serve as Family Navigators who connect children impacted by maltreatment to appropriate EBPs. In fact, the CAC position of Victim Advocate mirrors the Mental Health Family Navigator national initiative.Methods: We will develop, implement, and evaluate web-based and consultative training for Victim Advocates to enhance early engagement in services (E3 training). The interactive web-based training will embed key targets of knowledge and skills related to family engagement, trauma, and EBP services. Participating CACs will be randomized to E3 webinar-based training, E3 webinar plus consultation, or delayed training. The project will test the E3 training’s impact on key mechanisms of change (e.g., knowledge, skills) to improve rates of screening, referral, and access to EBP services. The feasibility of implementing the training program, and differential impact and costs by level of training will be examined.Discussion: The overarching goal of this project is to test a training that is readily implemented through CACs and examine the mechanisms for improving early engagement and, ultimately, child and adolescent mental health outcomes. Results and cost findings will be used to plan a large-scale comprehensive, mixed-methods Hybrid Type II effectiveness-implementation and cost-effectiveness trial of Family Navigator E3 training. If outcomes are positive, considerable infrastructure exists to support the scale-up and sustainability of E3 training nationwide, by embedding the training in national CAC training protocols.Trial registration: NCT04221633

Enhancing Early Engagement (E3) in Mental Health Services Training for Children's Advocacy Center's Victim Advocates: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Child maltreatment is a major public issue in the United States, yet most children affected by abuse or neglect never engage in evidence-based practices (EBP) for child mental health. Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs’) are uniquely situated to serve as Family Navigators who connect children impacted by maltreatment to appropriate EBPs. In fact, the CAC position of Victim Advocate mirrors the Mental Health Family Navigator national initiative. Methods: We will develop, implement, and evaluate web-based and consultative training for Victim Advocates to enhance early engagement in services (E3 training). The interactive web-based training will embed key targets of knowledge and skills related to family engagement, trauma, and EBP services. Participating CACs will be randomized to E3 webinar-based training, E3 webinar plus consultation, or delayed training. The project will test the E3 training’s impact on key mechanisms of change (e.g., knowledge, skills) to improve rates of screening, referral, and access to EBP services. The feasibility of implementing the training program, and differential impact and costs by level of training will be examined.Discussion: The overarching goal of this project is to test a training that is readily implemented through CACs and examine the mechanisms for improving early engagement and, ultimately, child and adolescent mental health outcomes. Results and cost findings will be used to plan a large-scale comprehensive, mixed-methods Hybrid Type II effectiveness-implementation and cost-effectiveness trial of Family Navigator E3 training. If outcomes are positive, considerable infrastructure exists to support the scale-up and sustainability of E3 training nationwide, by embedding the training in national CAC training protocols.Trial registration: NCT04221633

Perceptions of Victim Advocates and Predictors of Service Referral Among Law Enforcement Personnel

Limited research exists on police officers’ service provision for sexual and domestic violence survivors after they formally report. This study used surveys from 452 commissioned officers at an urban police department in one of the five largest and most diverse U.S. cities to examine police perceptions of victim advocates, self-reported frequency of referral, and predictors of service referral among police. Findings revealed officers were relatively likely to provide referrals and held somewhat favorable attitudes of advocates. Knowledge of services and positive perceptions of advocates increased the frequency of service referral to victims. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

“It's Like You Gotta Fly the Plane While You're Repairing It at the Same Time”: Supporting Rural Intimate Partner Violence Victim Advocates After the Homicide of a Client

Previous studies have investigated the impact of secondary exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) work victim advocates, but there is a lack of research examining the specific effect of intimate partner homicide (IPH). Given the sudden and final nature of IPH, it is possible that its effect on advocates differs from the daily exposure to IPV and could require different organizational responses. This study examined how agency climate and interventions contributed to advocate adjustment after IPH. Organizational responses can prevent burnout, the loss of practice wisdom, and the future delivery of inadequate services. Nine advocates were recruited from a rural New England state and interviewed about their perceptions of organizational interventions after IPH. Advocate interviews were analyzed using narrative and thematic approaches to explore how advocates talked about IPH and types of interventions they received. The approaches' findings were examined in tandem to describe advocate perceptions of organizational responses after IPH. Findings centered on three main themes: a need for connection among advocates due to isolation from the community, a need for the acknowledgment of the gravity of IPH, and a need for flexible, clear policies. In conjunction with the extant literature, study findings suggested a three-pronged approach to agency responses to IPH: prepare advocates, support advocates, and connect advocates. Stressors and program responses specific to the rural context are additionally discussed. It is imperative for advocacy organizations to support their employees to maintain agency health and continue to provide effective services to vulnerable members of their communities after IPH.

Reporting Sexual Assault: Survivors’ Satisfaction With Sexual Assault Response Personnel

Although jurisdictions have attempted to improve their response procedures, sexual assault cases are often insufficiently investigated. This study examines the survey responses of 460 female sexual assault survivors regarding their experiences with response personnel. Overall satisfaction with response services was 66.1%. Victim advocates and forensic nurses received higher satisfaction ratings than did patrol officers, detectives, and State’s Attorney’s Office staff. The present study also found that 65% of the variance in overall satisfaction was accounted for by four personnel behaviors: respectful treatment, clearly explained procedures, believed their stories, and demonstrated cultural sensitivity. Policy implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.