Intervention

Intervention refers to the direct services that we offer domestic violence victims.  The intervention team covers four areas that colaborate to offer the best services to our clientele: Crisis Intervention, Case Management, Psychological Therapy, and Legal Services.

Crisis Intervention

When an incident of domestic violence occurs, the first services that the clients receive are crisis Intervention.  This intervention may include:  assessment of the crisis, making a police report, taking photos of the injuries, obtaining a temporary restraining order, going to the shelter, making a safety plan, referring her to other services to obtain clothes, food and things the family needs.

Case Management

Case Management is an analysis of your needs and goals as a domestic violence victim and a proposed intervention to help you achieve your goals and needs.  All of the clients receive a first orientation with their case manager.  During this first appointment, the case manager and the client develop an empowerment plan.  This plan focuses on the client’s strengths and it includes the steps she will take to obtain her needs and reach self-sufficiency.  While the client receives services at Enlace, the case manager acts as a guide and can help her obtain public benefits for herself and her children, transitional or affordable housing,  medical care, crime victims reparations, legal resources for civil domestic violence and immigration cases, and even more depending on the client’s individual plan.

Legal Services

Our attorneys represent clients in civil domestic violence and domestic matters cases.  For example, the attorney can represent you at a hearing to obtain a final order for protection or in your divorce case. They also help clients obtain custody and child support for their children. The director of the legal services team is an expert in interstate and international custody cases.

The case managers collaborate with legal service providers to help the clients with their legal cases.  For example, the case manager can help you complete a petition for a temporary restraining order, accompany you to hearings in civil and/or criminal court, refer you to pro bono attorneys and explain your rights and options.

The case managers also identify when clients may qualify for certain immigration status legal remedies:  the U-Visa for crime victims or the VAWA self-petition. If you are a domestic violence victim, the case manager can refer you to the immigration attorney at Catholic Charities and help you obtain the documents you need for your case.

The legal services department is supported by our diverse community allies:  The UNM Law Clinic, NM Legal Aid, Catholic Charities, Legal FACS and DV Resources.  We also rely on a panel of pro bono attorneys.

Psychological Therapy

Individual therapy is offered to interested clients by appointment with a social worker or a psychotherapist who specializes in domestic violence issues, mental health and environmental problems associated with domestic violence.

Individual therapy is strengths-based and the client plays an important role in developing her personal goals.

We also offer individual therapy for children and adolescents who have witnessed domestic violence in their family and family therapy when necessary.

Our therapeutic support groups focus on many of the same concerns addressed in individual therapy.  Confidentiality and respect are the guiding principals of the group’s dynamic. Good camaraderie strengthens self-esteem and promotes socialization.  Socialization is important to bring victims out of isolation.  Our clients experience a double isolation: isolation as a tool used by their partners to abuse them and the alienation of the immigrant community.

Life Skills Classes

Enlace Comunitario offers various lifes skills classes to help the clients achieve self-sufficiency. The topics of the classes include: English as a second language, computer skills, and parenting.

The parenting classes teach skills to both the participants and their children. Each class begins with an activity for both the mothers and their children, for example, a supper or art rpoject. These activities help strengthen the family dynamic.Afterwards, the mothers and children are put into separate groups. The mothers learn how to support and discipline their children and understand how the domestic violence they have witnessed affects them. The children learn related themes relevant to their age.

Volunteers teach the ESL class. Learning English helps reduce the isolation and vulnerability that many of our clients face. This beginner's level class helps the students develop the self-confidence they need to continue their studies at more advanced institutions.  

Hugo Bonilla, renowned public accountant and Hispanic immigrant, offers the la computer skills class to interested clients. It is important for our clients to learn about technology because this knowledge helps them obtain services and other information important to their independence and safety.  

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