The Medical Advocacy Program at CCN provides 24-hour advocacy services at area hospitals and physician offices. An advocate can meet a teen or adult victim of domestic violence on-site to provide support and explain options.
Services also include the availability of video conferencing technology to file for an Emergency Protection from Abuse (EPFA) Order. This technology allows a victim to file for an EPFA after court business hours without leaving their community. This helps victims overcome obstacles to safety, such as lack of transportation, unfamiliarity with the city, and/or fear of the legal system. Hospital sites for video conferencing currently include: UPMC Passavant and Ohio Valley Hospital. Emergency medical advocacy services may be requested by contacting CCN's 24-hour hotline: 412-364-5556.
The Goals of CCN's Medical Advocacy Program are to:
- Provide on-call Medical Advocacy, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for in-person intervention with victims.
- Implement effective operations within the healthcare systems that enhance service delivery to victims.
- Enhance the healthcare community's response to domestic violence victims by providing ongoing trainings on the dynamics of abuse.
Additionally, trainings are available for healthcare students and providers to increase recognition of and response to domestic violence. Contact CCN's Medical Advocate for training at 412-364-6728.