Medical Advocacy
The goal of medical advocacy is to ensure that healthcare and medical systems have all the resources they need to provide trauma-informed intervention and support to victims and survivors of domestic violence. DVI’s Medical Advocate facilitates this intervention and support by being available as a living resource. The Medical Advocate answers questions, provides brochures and other materials, and offers advice to healthcare providers on how to manage situations in which domestic violence is suspected or disclosed.
For Survivors
The medical system can be every bit as difficult to navigate and intimidating as the legal system to someone hurt by domestic violence. We started our medical advocacy program to help survivors get the attention they need and to support them while they are going through a difficult period in their life.
- Traumatic Brain Injury screening
- COVID-19 testing and mitigation
- Vaccine access (COVID and others)
- Access to medical, dental, and mental health appointments
- Prescription assistance
For Providers
Health care providers are an essential link in the coordinated effort to break the cycle of violence and build a healthy community. Identifying and responding to DV in health care settings can make a tremendous difference for patients’ physical health, mental health, safety, and quality of life. Medical Advocacy services available to Lebanon County providers include:
Trainings:
- The dynamics of domestic violence
- Trauma-informed screening for domestic violence
- Safe and confidential documentation of disclosed abuse
- How to make warm referrals to DVI
Technical Assistance:
- Case consultations and debriefing
- Dropping off safety cards for staff to distribute
- Answering a question outside of a training or presentation
- Assisting a provider in developing a safety plan for a patient
- Working with administration to update their domestic violence policy
- Creating a resource at the request of the healthcare staff
Call the 24/7 DVI hotline to connect to our Medical Advocacy Program: (717) 273-7190