• Responsible for supervising staff
• Implementing new projects that focus on community awareness, code revisions, etc.
• Grant writing and grant management
• Provides in-service training for Tribal personnel such as the police and judges
• Member of the Protocol Committee, Multi-Disciplinary team
• Assists victims of domestic violence in civil protection hearings
• Handles problems that may arise after a protection order is entered
• Holds a master-level degree in public health

Legal Secretary

• Prepares all court documents for FVVS Program: petitions and orders to be filed with the court and subpoenas for witnesses
• Serves as support staff
• General office duties
• Assists with preparations for court
• File management of cases
• Miscellaneous duties as they arise
• Holds a four-year degree
• Certified Court Reporter

Attorney

• Represents FVVS clients in court to obtain a civil protection order
• Provides representation on residual matters stemming from filings of petitions for protections and the entry of protection orders, including petitions for contempt, motions to modify, motions to dismiss and motions to quash. Handles all matters in preparation for trial
• Meets with client to prepare for protection order hearing
• Provides in-service training for Tribal personnel such as police and judges
• Member of the Protocol Committee, Multi-Disciplinary Team
• Member of Mississippi Bar Association , the American Bar Association, the Neshoba County Bar Association, and the Choctaw Bar Association.

Victim Assistance Coordinator

• Works with all victims of crime but primarily deals with victims of domestic violence
• Coordinates with Victim Assistance Therapist and the Women’s Advocate
• Drafts program’s follow-up reports with victims who have required police intervention
• Contacts violence victims as reported from Choctaw Law and Order to inform victim of services available
• Assists victims with immediate needs
• Assists victims with finding alternate housing and employment
• Provides transportation and bilingual interpretation
• Assists victim in filing criminal charges against the alleged perpetrator
• Initiates investigative work for the FVVS attorney in preparation for trial by:
  • taking pictures of damages or injuries
  • finding and interviewing witnesses
  • serving summonses and subpoenas
• Assists victim in retrieving personal items that had to be left behind
• Participates in the on-call system on a rotating basis with Choctaw Social Services

Family Violence Counselor

• Master level counselor works primarily with perpetrators of domestic violence
• Responsible for facilitating the twenty-six week Batterer’s Re-Education Program
• Works closely with the Adult Probation Officer, police, and court system in keeping perpetrators in compliance with their court-ordered counseling requirements
• Assists in providing transportation for victims
• Provides individual counseling when time permits
• Participates in the on-call system on a rotating basis with Choctaw Behavioral Health

Victim Assistance Therapist

• Master level therapist who assesses immediate needs of the victims
• Conducts intake interviews with clients who come into the office
• Makes referrals as necessary for legal representation and substance abuse treatment
• Responsible for providing therapy to primary and secondary victims of abuse
• Conducts couple’s counseling upon victim’s request
• Develops vulnerable adult services
• Active member of the Protocol Committee and the Multi-Disciplinary Team
• Provides on-call services as part of the Choctaw Behavioral Health Program

Women’s Advocate

• Provides many of the same services as the Victim Assistance Coordinator
• Co-facilitates three of six Batterer’s Re-Education groups
• Conducts a women's support group
• Involved in community education to stop violence

Outreach Specialist

• Conducts public awareness activities in Tribal communities
• Provides information to the public about domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking
• Native speaker/translator
• Provides support to FVVS staff
  
  

Each of the family violence staff members has specific duties but also work as a team to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence. The duties of the team include preparing protocols for each respective agency represented to insure full cooperation between the agencies in providing assistance to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The team meets monthly to identify any problems that have occurred and to discuss solutions to the problems. All staff members assist with special projects such as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Family Celebration Day, in-service trainings, and conference workshops and exhibits. The FVVS staff is also available to speak to community groups when requested.