5.6.1 Domestic Abuse Screening

The Domestic Abuse Screen section of the WWP Wisconsin Work Programs Participant Barriers page helps the W-2 Wisconsin Works worker and Applicant An individual who applies for any service of the W 2 and Related Programs including support services. or Participant An individual who participates in any component of W-2. determine if referrals for a domestic abuse assessment and services are needed. The W-2 agency must also provide space for an individual to voluntarily and confidentially disclose if they are or have been a victim of domestic abuse or are at risk of further domestic abuse.

The W-2 worker must only ask the Domestic Abuse Screen questions if it is safe to do so. An applicant or participant must never be asked to complete the Domestic Abuse Screen while their partner is present, or if there are any other individuals present, including children. In addition, if an applicant or participant voluntarily discloses that they are or have been a victim of domestic abuse or are at further risk of domestic abuse, they are not required to be screened.

If the W-2 worker determines that it is safe to ask the Domestic Abuse Screen questions, the W-2 worker must read aloud the initial statement and each screening question exactly as it is written in WWP.

The applicant or participant may decline to answer any or all of the Domestic Abuse Screen questions without risk of sanction or case closure.

If the applicant or participant declines to answer a screening question, the W-2 worker must indicate the refusal in WWP. The applicant or participant may also decline to complete the remaining questions at any time during the screening. If this happens, the W-2 worker must leave the remaining questions blank.

The applicant or participant may request to revisit the screening questions at any time. The W-2 agency may also administer the Domestic Abuse Screen at any time that the W-2 worker has reason to believe that the participant may need domestic abuse services.

One or more “yes” answers in response to the Domestic Abuse Screen questions may indicate the need to refer the applicant or participant to local domestic abuse and/or sexual assault services for safety planning, counseling, or housing needs. (See 5.6.2 )