FAQS

Is this training appropriate for me?

As you will learn in this training, domestic violence is a complex and pervasive social problem that often leads to a range of far-reaching negative consequences for individuals, their loved ones, and communities. Because of the prevalence of domestic violence, it is nearly impossible to work with the public and not encounter someone who has experienced or is currently experiencing domestic violence. And, because of the potential consequences, every person in a helping profession should have at least a basic understanding of domestic violence in order to respond effectively.

So, yes, this training is appropriate for you, and we applaud your decision to complete it!

Is this training relevant only to people who work in Massachusetts?

No! The majority of the training is written with a wide audience in mind, and people from an array of roles and geographic areas can benefit from it. There is some content in Units 5 and 6 that is specific to Massachusetts, but you will not be tested on that material in the CEU Quiz.

Can this training be used to fulfill the MA Chapter 260 mandate on domestic and sexual violence training?

No. This training cannot be used to fulfill that mandate. However, we have created an alternative training on domestic and sexual violence that has been approved by the MA Department of Public Health to fulfill that mandate. That training can be found here: https://sites.google.com/a/simmons.edu/chapter-260-dv-sv-training/.

Will this training teach me everything I need to know about working with people affected by domestic violence?

No! The purpose of this training is to provide essential knowledge about domestic violence that can – and should – be used as a foundation for additional training. Follow-up training should include active skill building and be tailored to specific settings, roles, and clientele. We think of our training as a first step in a lifetime of learning about domestic violence!

Can this training be used to fulfill MGL 233 Section 20k?

This training can be used to fulfill 10 of the 25 minimum hours required to meet the training standard for privilege for a "domestic violence victims' counselor" in Massachusetts. Please refer to the statue to ensure that you are meeting the other necessary requirements (e.g., working/volunteering at a DV program).

What are CEUs, how can I get them, and how much do they cost?

Learn more about CEUs in regards to this training in the About CEUs tabbed section of this website.

What if I don't want CEUs, but I need documentation that I completed the training?

You can still get documentation that you completed the training even if you don't need CEUs. All you need to do is take the CEU quiz and hit submit so that your answers can be graded. You will receive an email stating whether you passed the quiz or not. If you pass, you can use the email as proof that you successfully completed the training. If you don't pass the first time, you can review the training content again and retake the quiz.

Can I take this training for CEU credit more than once?

Although you are welcome to use this training as a resource as often as you need, you cannot receive CEU credit for completing this training more than once.

What is the format of this training?

The training is organized into seven units of content and references. Each of the units contains between four and six chapters. The training is set up so that you can leave and return to the content as many times as you need – in fact, we hope it becomes a “go-to” resource for you!

Can my organization adopt this training and how do I cite content from it?

The contents of the training are copyrighted and for educational purposes only. If your organization (for-profit, non-profit, governmental) is interested in adopting our training as an educational tool, please contact Dr. Kristie Thomas (kristie.thomas@simmons.edu). We require that agencies wishing to use the training refer people to our site (removing sections for inclusion in your own training is not permitted) and offer it at no cost so as to not financially profit from it. When referring to training contents, please always acknowledge and properly cite the Simmons School of Social Work. Here is the citation:

Thomas, K. A., Chadwick, M., Devereaux, D., Melbin, A., Miller, E. E., Yu, L., Zaricor, J., & Hubert, S. (2017). Simmons School of Social Work Domestic Violence Training (3rd edition). Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/a/simmons.edu/dv-training/

Who can I contact with questions about this training or website?

If you have any questions or concerns, please email dvtraining@simmons.edu or kristie.thomas@simmons.edu.