Because healthy relationships matter

  • Published
  • By Cozetta Blow
  • 30th Medical Group Mental Health Flight
Greetings Team V, my name is Ms. Cozetta Blow and I am assigned to the 30th Medical Group Mental Health flight as a contract Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate for the Family Advocacy Program. I'm here because healthy relationships matter!

In Feb. 2012 I brought 17 years of victim advocacy experience to Vandenberg and began working as a contract DAVA. In this position, I am able to offer a different level of confidentiality than the Mental Health enlisted and civilian staff, which makes both active duty and civilians more receptive to services.

Under the FAP, I also operate a 24-hour Emergency Contact Line that has been beneficial to both clients and First Sergeants who may need to consult with me afterhours and on weekends. I facilitate groups, one-on-one healthy relationship education classes and a bi-annual Women's Trauma and Abuse Group. I am currently taking sign-ups for all of my groups, call today for more information!

During special emphasis months such as Teen Dating Violence Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I facilitate Team V and local community education awareness activities. I also partner with the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and am a Resiliency Training Assistant. As an active volunteer in Santa Barbara County for more than 20 years, I have been able to link Team V to resources that may not have normally been readily available; such as free emergency hotel stays for victims and free summer camp programs for military children.

A DAVA is your safety planner and resource aid. The role of the DAVA varies depending on the needs of the person seeking services. The DAVA will assist you with decision making, helpful resources and reporting options. He or she is also able to accompany you to medical visits, court proceedings and other appointments as requested.

There are two reporting options available for those in need - restricted and unrestricted reporting. Restricted reporting may be available to individuals that report directly to a DAVA, Family Advocacy Officer, SARC, Chaplin or Mental Health provider. If applicable, restricted reports may not be disclosed to command, civilian and military investigative or law enforcement agencies. The FAO makes a final determination on whether a case is restricted or unrestricted.

Unrestricted reporting allows command and appropriate agency notification and possible law enforcement investigation. Disclosure of the abuse to any other persons, with the exception of those listed above, can result in an investigation.

I am located at the 30th MDG and work in conjunction with the Vandenberg Family Advocacy Program. For more information call 805 606-HOPE-(4673) or our new number at 805 222-6755 - our 24-hour emergency contact line.

RESOURCES:

VAFB DOMESTIC ABUSE                                                                 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SOLUTIONS
VICTIM ADVOCATE (DAVA)                                                             24 Hr. Confidential
805 605-4673 Office                                                                           805 736-0965 Lompoc
NEW NUMBER:                                                                                  805 925-2160 Santa Maria
805 222-6755 24 Hr. Confidential 
    
NATIONAL DOMESTIC                                                                      VAFB SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE COORDINATOR (SARC)
VIOLENCE HOTLINE                                                                         805 606-7272 Office
800-799-7233 24 Hr. Confidential                                                       24 Hr. Confidential