Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114129

Martha Lee Coulter, MSW, DrPH and Lianne Fuino, MPH. Department of Community and Family Health, The James and Jennifer Harrell Center for the Study of Domestic Violence, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, 813 974-7837, lfuino@hsc.usf.edu

The provision of appropriate services to domestic violence victims has not traditionally been an evidence based practice. Few models exist for assessing the efficacy of community programs, especially from the perspective of both recipients and objective indicators. This study is a longitudinal study of a community based collaborative effort that provides concurrent legal services, social service case management and referrals to individuals and children who have left domestic violence situations. The program goal is to prevent returns to abusive situations through increasing clients' knowledge and access to community resources. Client outcomes in this study are measured through the Global History Questionnaire (GHW) which measures both client goals and objective markers in the following areas: employment, education, transportation, housing, child care, children's school, children's health, client's health, and safety. Results indicate significant positive change in most areas except alcohol and substance abuse and safety. 29% of respondents indicated at the beginning of the program that they were concerned that their abuser would find them, while 90% expressed the same concern at the middle and ends of the program. Outcome assessment indicates that some results, while statistically significant, are not of sufficient magnitude to be considered clinically significant. Other results, such as the increase in safety fears and lack of reduction in substance abuse, may be unintended program outcomes or measurement problems. Some areas of concern indicate the need for modified or expanded data collection. A protocol for decision making about planned response to the evaluation is developed.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session the participant will be able to

• Understand goal attainment evaluation for community domestic violence programs.
• Identify procedures for responding to both intended and unintended outcomes.
• Develop a plan for dynamic assessment that can be used for evidence based program change and improvement.

Keywords: Battered Women, Community Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.