Domestic Violence Specialists

DTA’s Domestic Violence Specialists (DVS) assist survivors of DV with support, safety planning, referrals to resources, and safe housing and child support options.

DV Specialists work with DTA staff, community organizations and other state agencies to advocate for and support clients in a variety of ways, including obtaining verifications, accessing services and assisting with applying for a DV Waiver for certain program requirements. 

Survivors of DV are to be referred to the office's assigned DV Specialist by using the regional distribution list so that they may receive information about available DV Services

Note: While you are obligated to make a referral to the DV Specialist, the client is not obligated to meet with the DV Specialist.

TAFDC Domestic Violence Waiver Requests

DV Specialists work collaboratively with staff to assist clients with applying for a waiver of certain TAFDC requirements.

DV Specialists play a critical role in the DV waiver process by meeting or speaking with the client to:

Assess the client’s safety and ability to comply with certain TAFDC program rules when applicable

Assist with obtaining verifications

Assist with the completion of the DV Waiver request process and

Offer referrals and other DV related services to the client and/or their children.

See Domestic Violence Waiver – Procedures for details of the DV Waiver process.

Heightened Level of Security

The DV Specialist may also help clients decide if using the Heightened Level of Security indicator option is appropriate for the client’s domestic violence situation.  In addition to, or as an alternative to the client choosing Heightened Level of Security (HLS), the DV Specialist may develop an individualized safety plan with the client that may include additional security methods.

The DV Specialist will:

  • Contact or meet with any client who raises DV issues and/or concerns and schedule follow-up appointments as necessary.
  • Work with clients experiencing DV regardless of their eligibility for DTA programs.
  • Assess the safety and trauma issues of the client and refer to resources and services.
  • Help the client develop an individualized safety plan if necessary.
  • Assist the client with the process for requesting a DV Waiver including answering DV questions and obtaining verifications. The DV Specialist will work closely with the Case Manager and the DV Liaison to complete the DV Waiver process.
  • Assist the client in requesting good cause due to DV and obtaining verifications as well as ensuring that recommendations are shared with the Case Manager.
  • Notify the case manager and Domestic Violence liaison if a client wants to apply for a DV Waiver of a specific program requirement.
  • Inform the case manager of any relevant case information that arises during a discussion between the client and the DV Specialist.
  • Explain the child support process and safe cooperation as well as good cause for not cooperating when a client discloses DV.
  • Assist the client with obtaining verifications for a Good Cause for child support claim and/or a DV Waiver request including letters from DV programs, copies of restraining orders, and court documents.

Note: While DV services are available to all DTA clients, DV Waivers and Child Support cooperation rules do not apply to EAEDC and SNAP-only cases.

Domestic Violence Specialist BEACON Narrative Tab Icon

A purple DV Specialist icon  will display on the Narrative tab identifying narratives entered by a DV Specialist. This icon is helpful to easily sort referrals and potential contact made by a DV Specialist.

Note: Not all client/DV Specialist communications will require a narrative, therefore you will not be able to solely use this icon to identify if a DV Specialist has worked on a case.

Whenever a DVS interacts with a client, they must input the following narratives into BEACON, depending on what is applicable:

  • “Received referral, spoke with client.”
  • “HLC assessment completed.”
  • “Received referral. Attempted to contact client, left voicemail with my contact information.”
  • “Received referral. Client declined to speak to Specialist at this time.”
  • “Received referral, spoke to client about child support.  Verifications submitted and provided resources and my contact information.  Contacted DOR.”
  • “Received referral, spoke to client.  Not NCP and provided resources and my contact information.”
  • “Received referral, spoke to client about child support.  Verifications reviewed and emailed CM.”
  • “Received referral, spoke to client and contacted HLC.”
  • “HLC referral and spoke to client.”
  • “HLC referral, attempted to contact client and left generic message.”
  • “Received referral.  History, no contact with client attempted.  Worked with Specialist in the past.”
  • “Received referral.  Unable to contact client because voicemail is full. (not set up or number is disconnected or wrong number)”
  • “Client in office.  Spoke/met with client & discussed child support and provided resources and my contact number.”

DV Specialists will not narrate specifics of conversations that they had with a client. Any information that the DVS needs to record will be contained in the APEX DV Log. The simplified narratives above serve to confirm to staff and supervisors that the referral process was attempted and/or completed. Staff and supervisors are able to scan for these narratives, with the DV icon, to confirm that the DV Specialist’s interaction with the client.

Note: DV Specialists will share information that is pertinent to a client’s DTA benefits with staff. Not all information that is shared by a client with a DV Specialist will be available to staff. The DV Specialist will use their discretion as to what information needs to be disclosed. If a case manager has questions about the DV and it is impact on a client’s case, they may reach out to the DV Specialist with the knowledge that they may not get a detailed response.

For more information about DV Specialist Narratives, check the Domestic Violence Narratives page.

Related Topics

Heightened Level of Security – Domestic Violence

Introduction to Child Support Good Cause

Good Cause due to Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Unit Policy and Procedures

Last Update: May 6, 2026