What is FAP?
FAP is a program dedication to education and prevention of domestic violence and child abuse. FAP operates in two realms. Educating the community by providing resources and classes, and clinically intervening and investigating concerns around abuse and / or neglect.
Social Worker Interns are required to immerse themselves in FAP clinical program to thoroughly understand its mission, as the knowledge gained will be vital to Active Duty Social Workers.
The Intern creates a learning plan that is signed off by the rotation supervisor (for me, it was the FAP supervisor). The plan consisted of understanding the process of the “Day Call” – an initial process to investigate potential domestic violence and / or neglect.
Additionally, the learning plan consists of clinically intervening with domestic violence cases by providing individual, couples, and group therapy. The Social Worker observes and helps their client navigate the investigation process.
Patients that find themselves in a FAP investigation can either have their cases meet, or not meet criteria for abuse after a series of interviews by multiple disciplines. In the event that their case “meets” criteria, the Service Member will be mandated to attend treatment. If the case meets criteria for a dependent, it is strongly encouraged, but cannot be mandated by military. Should the case not meet criteria, treatment or education is recommended to mitigate future offenses.
Interns learn the ins and outs of FAP regulations. FAP personnel operate under the guidance of AR608-18 and the DoD FAP Manual.
FAP interns navigate various resources in order to provide best care.
The FAP experience can vary from site to site. Length at rotation is a minimum of four months (as of 2020)
General advice from my experience at FAP. Observe as many clinicians as possible. Each clinician has their own approach that may or may not be beneficial as you learn to intervene on your own. Also, become comfortable as the subject matter expert on FAP protocol. You’ll be in contact with command teams, and being able to present information with a military mindset will bode well not just in FAP, but in your career. Become comfortable with the term: “That’s a do-out” or “I owe you an answer by (this time)” instead of shooting from the hip.
At the end of FAP, interns will roll into their next rotation. I swung over to SUDCC.