A family violence specialist is someone who meets 1 of the following criteria:

· A staff person at an organization designated by the Office of Justice Programs at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety as providing services to people experiencing family violence.

· A county, tribal or employment services agency staff person who has received similar training.

· A Legal Aid staff person with knowledge of family violence.

· Any other person or organization designated by the Office of Justice Programs at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

The family violence specialist and the participant’s employment counselor cannot be the same person.

Information about officially recognized family violence agencies is available through the Minnesota Center for Crime Victim Services:

· Phone Number: 1-888-622-8799

· Crime Victim Support Line: 1-866-385-2699

Get a signed General Consent/Authorization for Release of Information (DHS -3549) (PDF) from the participant in order to communicate about case details with the family violence specialist if the specialist is not an employee of either of the following:

· The county or tribe.

· The employment services agency.