The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70463

Mary Christine Nagy, PhD¹, Lea Yerby, MS², Torhonda Lee, MA², and Lillian Zaworski, MS³. (1) Department of Health Science, The University of Alabama, P.O. Box 870311, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0311, (205) 348-8148, cnagy@ches.ua.edu, (2) The Department of Health Science, The University of Alabama, Box 870311, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0311, (3) Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, P.O. Box 4762, Montgomery, AL 36101

Domestic violence is a problem that affects all social strata. This presentation reports findings of the process evaluation conducted on the Special Assessment, Intervention, and Liaison (SAIL) Project offered by the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence under contract with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR). The purpose of the SAIL Project is to identify and intervene in family/domestic violence such that persons who are eligible for the JOBS Program or TANF will feel safe, remain in job training, obtain employment and become independent from welfare, whenever possible. The project has two major goals: 1) to improve outcomes of women who receive services from the DHR in Alabama, and 2) to increase the availability and accessibility of services which address the problems of the target population. Over the course of 27 months, the project was phased-in in all 67 counties of the state and served 4282 clients. Specific methods used to assess whether objectives were met included the review of program documentation, analyses of computerized client data records, and interviews with 70 individuals employed by the DHR, Domestic Violence Shelters, and the SAIL Project who had direct dealings with the program. The process evaluation examined the fidelity between program development and implementation activities, identified the strengths and weakness of the program, identified components that appeared to work best to promote effective networks within and between service providers, as well as the array of services that seem to meet the needs of SAIL clients and their families.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants who attend this session will:
• 1- understand how policy development between different state agencies can lead to effective program delivery;
• 2- recognize the need to develop relationships between upper management and front line workers in the implementation of successful programs;
• 3- understand the need for all units within the collaborating agencies to participate in in-service training on domestic violence; and
• 4- have a better understanding of the prevalence of domestic violence in a southern state.

Keywords: Access and Services, Domestic Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.