Pride in Parenting: Training Curriculum for Lay Home Visitors
Linda T. Diamond, M.S. and Marion H. Jarrett, Ed.D., editors.

Unit 23
Maintaining Personal Safety

Some of the families recruited for the Pride in Parenting program will reside in neighborhoods with high crime levels. In order to assure the personal safety of the PIP Parenting Support Specialists while working in the community, Project Administrators will work with legal enforcement agencies in the neighborhoods. This session is designed to enhance the ability of PSS's to function safely in their community activity.

PRIDE IN PARENTING
SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY

PRELIMINARY PREPARATIONS FOR VISITS

• Review family history for drug abuse, mental illness, violence
• Check address on street map.
• Arrange visits in unknown areas or especially risky areas for early in the day (10:00am - 12:00 noon).
• Unless you are very comfortable in the area, plan to complete your visits by 3:00pm.
• Review travel route. Look for alternate route in case needed.
• Telephone family for suggestions about parking and entering building name and telephone of building captain, how to get to their apartment in the building.
• If uncertain, arrange for family to meet you outside building.
• If necessary arrange escort.
• If family suggests, arrange alternate location than the apartment to meet (restaurant, coffee shop).
• Notify coordinator about day's travel plan prior to departure -- call parent before you depart.
• Call building captain to inform of your planned arrival time and future visiting schedule.
• IDS at each site will determine if weather conditions require cancellation of visits.

PERSONAL ATTIRE

• Wear casual clothes, preferably slacks and flat shoes -- nothing tight, short or flashy.
• Don't wear jewelry, even costume jewelry.
• Don't carry a purse, use clear plastic carry all. Have change for a pay phone or carry a cellular phone.
• Keep keys in pocket for ready access. Keep a second set in your notebook or tote bag.
• Keep a couple of dollars in a money clip to throw if you are held up.
• Wear the PRIDE IN PARENTING staff identification.

STREET AND HOME SAFETY

• Walk with a confident attitude.
• Don't walk through a crowd. Stay near the curb when walking or the sidewalk.
• Be aware of the surroundings. Don't use a walkman.
• If you feel threatened, go into a store.
• If using buses, know the schedule and avoid long waits at the stop; don't wait at an isolated stop.
• Don't approach homes with threatening looking dogs. Ask the owner to hold the dog.
• Call ahead. Consider having the mother meet you in the lobby or at the front door.
• When entering a new building, stop to meet the building captain or other supervisory personnel and explain your visit plans.
• Use elevators, not stairs -- if the elevator is broken, have the mother come down.
• Call the office and the next mother when departing for the next visit. Call the office after your last visit.
• Don't carry a weapon. Have pepper spray or a siren for protection.
• Greet neighbors, be introduced, get known.
• Don't respond to verbal taunts.
• Before you knock, listen at the door. If you hear a loud argument, leave. If an argument escalates during the visit, leave.
• Be aware of exits in the home and building.
• Avoid dark corners, unlit hallways, extreme quiet.
• Be extremely cautious and report to supervisor any hmes where there is extreme activity, entrance that has a crowd of people, a mother’s unwillingness to talk when partner is around, sudden changes in personality.
• Report any incidents of family violence, drug use, or if you are threatened, to the team coordinator.

USE YOUR INTUITION. IF YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE
DON’T GO IN OR LEAVE IMMEDIATELY.

Unit 23 Handout #3

CAR SAFETY

• Know exactly where you are going. Have travel route mapped out and an alternate route. Have a list of that day's visit addresses and phone numbers in the car. Leave a daily visit plan back at the office with your supervisor.
• Lock pocketbook in office or in car trunk before you leave your home site parking lot. Have the forms that you need for that day's visit in your tote.
• Check your gas.
• Lock your doors, leave windows open only a few inches if you must.
• Don't leave briefcases etc. visible in the car.
• Observe street activity as you arrive at your destination.
• Park near building. Avoid isolated streets and groups loitering on street.
• Have your keys ready in hand when returning to your car.
• Check the backseat before getting in.
• Keep emergency towing number handy in your car.
• Leave the "Pride in Parenting" sign on your dashboard.
• In winter, keep a shovel and kitty litter in your trunk.
• If your care breaks down and you are uncomfortable waiting for help, call a cab or take public transportation back to hospital or home.

Unit 23 Handout #4

PERSONAL SAFETY Scenarios

1. You are assigned a new mother to visit but you are not familiar with her building. You know that her street is one with a lot of drug activity. What do you do to prepare for this visit. What do you discuss with the mother when arranging the visit?
2. You are visiting a mother when her boyfriend, who is very drunk, comes in and starts yelling at the mother. What do you do?
3. You realize you probably have a flat tire as you are driving into your client's neighborhood. What do you do?
4. You arrive at the client's apartment and there is a group of men who go into the back bedroom. What do you do?
5. You are walking down the street and start to feel that two teenage boys are following you. What do you do?
6. You are talking with the mother when the father starts to physically discipline the 4-year-old. What do you do?

INCIDENT REPORT

SAFETY
ALWAYS OBSERVE YOUR SURROUNDINGS

• People in and out of house with a lot of activity
• Long dark corridors
• Extreme quite
• Someone making loud noises after real quiet
• Do not pass dark corners
• Too many people standing around blocking entrance
• Light bulbs out in hallways/stairwells
• Continuous escalating argument
• Mother unwilling to talk if dad is around
• Sudden changes in personality

• Call before you go on visit
• Look at traffic pattern and be aware of exits available
• Put purse in trunk before you go to visit
• Wear little jewelry
• Dress appropriately to neighborhood and clientele.

Role Play Feedback

1. What do you think you the Parenting Support Specialist did well?
2. What could the Parenting Support Specialist have changed or done differently?
3. What other things do you think the Parenting Support Specialist might say or do to help a mother in this situation?

UNIT TEST

Child Growth and Development

One Month to Four Months

1. Describe 4 preliminary preparations to make before doing home visits.
2. Describe what personal attire is appropriate for home visiting.
3. Describe 5 behaviors that are important for street and home safety.
4. What car safety precautions should be taken when home visiting?
5. Describe a situation you could encounter on home visit that you would consider dangerous. Describe what would be appropriate behavior or actions.

Post-Unit Evaluation

1. Do you feel we covered all the information in this unit that we said we were going to?
2. What did you like best about the unit?
3. What did you like least about the unit?
4. Was the information in this unit presented clearly? If not, please explain.
5. In which skill areas do you feel you need more practice or help?
6. How can we make this unit better?
7. Any additional comments?