(1) As used in this section, ‘victim services provider’ means a nonprofit agency or program receiving moneys administered by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Justice that offers safety planning, counseling, support or advocacy to victims of domestic violence.

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(2) The Department of Human Services may contract with local victim services providers to place staff members from victim services providers at child welfare offices for the purposes of allowing the staff members to divide their time between the child welfare office and the staff member’s office to foster a closer working relationship between the child welfare system and victim services providers.

(3) If the department contracts with local victim services providers, the staff members described in subsection (2) of this section shall:

(a) Provide in-depth safety planning, education, advocacy and continuing support to adult victims of domestic violence who have children in the child welfare system;

(b) Receive referrals on cases that are closed at assessment; and

(c) Participate in case reviews and provide consultation to workers at the child welfare office.

(4) In addition to the services provided under subsection (3) of this section, staff members from victim services providers shall work with addiction and recovery teams to help address co-occurrence of domestic violence and substance abuse.

(5) If the department contracts with local victim services providers, the department shall consult with victim services providers in creating policies and protocols to coordinate the provision of services under this section. [2009 c.333 § 1]