KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEWS & DOCUMENT REVIEW The Health Survey tool was reviewed by FJC Directors and survey administrators at participating FJCs and feedback was provided to the Alliance. We also analyzed current FJC intake and assessment forms to understand how and if health issues are assessed and integrated into services. Open coding revealed the following themes:
Key Findings
EXTENSIVE SCOPE The survey was purposefully extensive in order to capture a whole health history. However, FJC staff noted that the stage of crisis, reason for the visit, and familiarity with the FJC as factors in completing the survey. Key assessment questions need to be identified and adopted into practice. LITERACY & DELIVERY METHOD The environment and method in which health screening questions are delivered is important; self-reported screenings should be followed-up orally by advocates to clarify answers and needs. STAGING Survivors new to the FJC may not have developed the necessary rapport to divulge personal health information. Similarly, survivors in immediate crisis may not prioritize their health concerns within the context of trauma. Health assessments should be integrated into case management and advocacy services where advocates, counselors, and/or medical staff can phase both their assessment and methods of support for survivors’ health. STAFF/ADVOCATE HEALTH KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Advocates and FJC staff are experts in supporting the changing priorities of needs that survivors bring forward. Advocates demonstrate high skill and high self-efficacy in identifying mental health, and basic needs. More training on non-acute health needs and chronic disease risk factors is needed.
The scope of questions should be tailored Rapport and trust is needed before survivors will disclose health issues, especially mental health or substance abuse issues. Advocates and staff need to follow-up on questionnaires orally to clarify health needs. A person in crisis may not be ready to talk about health issues, therefore phasing-in support activities is important. Staff need and want training to build awareness of “unseen” health issues clients may be facing. Most partner agencies ask some health history questions, standardization, tracking, and referral protocols should be implemented.
INTAKE & ASSESSMENT PRACTICES FJC intake generally assesses health needs through 1) referrals from/to a hospital/clinic, 2) request for specific health services, and 3) conducting the Danger
ADDRESSING HEALTH NEEDS OF IPV SURVIVORS
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