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Commander, Navy Region Southeast

Tel: (904) 542-4032/33 Fax: (904) 542-2413

www.cnrse.navy.mil



Release Number: 028-11

August 25, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FFSC Holds Training on Changes to Family Advocacy program

By YN3 Tamara Vaughn

Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

The Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville Fleet and Family Support Center held training

on changes to the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), Aug 25.

More than twenty command domestic abuse victims advocates (DAVA) on board

NAS Jacksonville attended the training which was designed to educate DAVAs on recent

changes to FAP criteria for what constitutes abuse and neglect. The training also emphasized the

importance of treating each case Navy-wide.

Under the revisions, commands are given an active role in abuse cases and will have

a designated DAVA who will undergo training before becoming a member of the Case Review

Committee (CRC). The committee will vote on the outcome of each case according to Navy

guidelines.

CRC training is held twice a year and it is now mandatory for all commands to have a

representative participate. All allegations will be presented to the committee within 90 days. If a

command does not send a representative, the case will not be able to move forward.

“It is going to be a challenge,” said Erica Schneider, family advocacy educator. “Once

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FFSC Training/2-2-2-2

we all get used to the changes, the final outcome will be positive. Transition is always hard, but

the changes in this program will be of great service not only to the commands, but Navy as

well.”

During CRC training, command DAVAs will take part in a mock meeting where they

will answer questions and state their observations concerning the allegations and the impact on

the victim by using a process called the “decision tree.” Participants go through scenarios to

determine if the incident meets the criteria for abuse or neglect.

“Even though this change is coming, our goal is the protection of the entire family,” said

LaTesa Henderson, FFSC domestic abuse victim’s advocate. “This is why we do this education,

because if they don’t know where to get help, then how can we prevent things like this from

happening.”

Some parts of the process will remain the same. Accusations of abuse will still be

reported to the FAP and they will still work with commands to address any issues concerning the

victim’s safety. Additionally, the FAP will continue to provide a variety of services for the

military members and families involved in allegations of domestic and child abuse.

"Today’s training provided useful guidelines to assist with the transition from the

current to the new Incident Determination Committee process,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman

(FMF) Sylvester Ivey, who participated in the training. “It not only clearly defined the criteria

for each incident, but it also streamlined the process of determining if an incident occurred. I am

confident this new process will favorably benefit our Sailors and their families."

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