Should extenuating circumstances arise (like the past Covid 19 pandemic) Support Group may rarely need to change to Video Chat Support Group

Guidelines for Video Chat Support Group

Taking into consideration all the confidentiality issues with Video chat platforms, we created the following recommendations:

1. Do not join the conversation if you are anywhere near your abuser.
2. We will only do the check-in portion of support group, avoiding all comments about the development of divorce, custody, or other legal matters.
3. Let's try to make sure our children are busy doing something else. If possible, have everyone wearing headphones or provide some other way that they cannot hear or watch the group meeting.

Disclaimer and Release of Liability

Bridges DVC offers online support group services via Zoom in special circumstances. These services are offered as the exception and only in extenuating circumstances outside of Bridges' control. Should this arise, the information below serves as informed consent and practice policies for these services.

Participants will engage in our online support group once they have made sure they are in a safe place to talk.

Bridges DVC will take precautions to protect the confidentiality of participants and the content of online support group sessions. However, using any online technologies for group meetings always comes with risks. Should this be a concern, we understand if a participant chooses not to attend online sessions.

Neither counselors/group facilitators nor participants will be allowed to video or audio record the sessions.

There is always potential for frustration when using online services for support group, including: possible misunderstandings in tone of voice or body language, delays in the videoconferencing, computer glitches, technology failures, and mistakes through human error. Patience is needed when using this technology.

I hereby release Bridges DVC of any liability in the event of an unauthorized person hearing or watching sessions, an unauthorized caller getting access to the call, data breaches, unencrypted recordings, and any and all potential security risks that come with utilizing online meeting tools and technologies.

Getting this information will help us better serve you. It will be confidential and you are not obligated to provide any of it.

*Emergency contact is not required but is highly encouraged.

I understand that the women and children served by BRIDGES Domestic Violence Center are in dangerous situations. For their protection, it is critical that their identities and the location of the facilities, including that of Support Group, remain confidential.

By my signature, I agree to respect the confidentiality of BRIDGES Domestic Violence Center facility, staff, and the women and children BRIDGES serves. I will not reveal information about the identities of the members of support group, the identities of the members’ children, the identities of the staff members, or what is said in support group without then woman’s written permission.

In addition, I agree to respect confidentiality by not taking pictures of or recording (via audio or video) any portion of support group. If I need to take a phone call, I will step outside and do so in private.

I, the undersigned, authorize any BRIDGES Domestic Violence Center staff or volunteer to transport me and my dependent(s) to the nearest medical facility in an emergency in which I am incapacitated or unable to care for myself and/or my dependent(s). I agree to let a doctor treat me and my dependent(s) for emergency care. This agreement finds BRIDGES Domestic Violence Center devoid of any liability in an emergency situation.

I, the undersigned, authorize BRIDGES Domestic Violence Center staff or volunteers to transport me and my dependent(s) in a staff member’s or volunteer’s private vehicle, in case of emergencies, etc. This agreement finds BRIDGES staff or volunteers devoid of any liability in the event of an accident.

I understand that BRIDGES Domestic Violence Center is not responsible for any personal injury that may occur to me or my dependent(s) while we are at support group. BRIDGES is not responsible in any way for any accidents and/or injuries that might occur through intervention and the outcome of my personal decision based on my involvement in any services offered by BRIDGES. BRIDGES is not responsible for any loss of my personal belongings while I am (we are) at support group.

I, the undersigned program participant, understand BRIDGES Domestic Violence Center is required, by law, to report any suspected child abuse to the Department of Children’s Services. If I have knowledge of abuse, I understand that I will have the opportunity to call DCS first, and then the staff will call DCS.

I give BRIDGES Domestic Violence Center permission to release my information in the event of a medical emergency or my death.

I understand that BRIDGES Domestic Violence Center is required, by law, to release my records in the event of an authorized subpoena. Also, medical records if I am unable to speak for myself due to a medical emergency.

I acknowledge that I have been made aware that the facility at which BRIDGES Domestic Violence Center’s Support Group takes place has a surveillance system for the purpose of protecting the safety of the people who enter said facility.

I, the undersigned, understand that BRIDGES is not responsible for any personal injury that may occur to me or to my dependent(s) while we are participating in the Outreach Programs. BRIDGES is not responsible in any way for any accidents and/or injuries that might occur through my personal decisions or a decision made by my child/children based on involvement in any services offered by BRIDGES. BRIDGES is not responsible for any loss to my child’s/children’s personal belongings while I am (we are) participating in the Outreach Programs.

By signing below I also acknowledge that BRIDGES is required by law to report any suspected child abuse to the Department of Children’s Services. I understand that I will have the opportunity to call DCS first and then the staff will call DCS.

By my signature I also state that I have received a copy of the BRIDGES children’s support group guidelines and if at any time I have a question about those guidelines I will discuss that with the children’s group facilitator. The name/names of my child/children participating in the Outreach Program is/are listed below: