Children, Youth, and Families – Partnership with Allegheny County
Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Program Specialists consult with and coach CYF caseworkers who work with families experiencing both domestic violence and child abuse.
In the CYF IPV Program, the team provides individualized coaching and consultation with caseworkers who have clients experiencing both domestic violence (DV) and child abuse. They also work directly with adult and child survivors, and with persons using violence.
The CYF IPV Specialists work with both parents or caregivers in a psycho-educational environment that empowers the survivor around safety, protective factors, and healing resources, and encourages change in the person who is using violence. These specialists are not Child Protective Services Caseworkers, but rather they consult with caseworkers regarding intimate partner violence-related issues.
CYF IPV Program Specialists offer a range of supportive services:
- Engage with Office of Children, Youth, and Families staff, and County contracted providers through individualized coaching sessions and consultations
- Provide psycho-educational groups and individual sessions
- Conduct home visitations
- Systems Advocacy
- Advocate within the Child Protective Services system for families to preserve family structures when appropriate
Families are referred to the CYF IPV Program through the office of Children Youth and Family Services through Keystone Information and Demographics System (KIDS).
