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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Susan Brutschy, BA, Applied Survey Research, PO Box 1927, Watsonville, CA 95077, 831-728-1356, susan@appliedsurveyresearch.org

Historically, domestic violence and child maltreatment were considered as two separate problems but recent research shows that 50% of men who frequently abused their wives, also abused their children (Peled, Jaffe, & Edleson, 1995). To address these findings, the federal government launched the Greenbook Project to provide effective interventions in families where domestic violence and child maltreatment co-occur. The Greenbook focus is on improving interventions and coordination between child welfare services, domestic violence agencies, and the juvenile dependency court. Applied Survey Research (ASR) evaluated the Greenbook Initiative in Santa Clara County, California and two similar initiatives in nearby counties (San Mateo and Contra Costa). ASR evaluated a range of data from clients, programs, systems, other Greenbook sites and national data and used methods including case record abstraction of Child Protective Services (CPS), focus groups, key informant interviews, surveys and secondary data analysis. Findings from the Greenbook evaluation showed several improvements over time including: more screening for domestic violence, earlier identification of domestic violence, and greater referrals for services. Findings in San Mateo County showed increased awareness and screening for co-occurrence across the county, and new protocols and procedures for police and CPS. Contra Costa County results showed a significant increase in the number of domestic violence incidents that resulted in arrest, an increase in the number of domestic violence TANF waivers, and 83% of domestic violence victims who were surveyed in 2005 reported receiving needed referrals and felt that services met their needs.

Learning Objectives:

• Best practices to evaluate countywide initiatives for the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment.
• Common roadblocks to effective county collaboration in response to co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment.
• Promising practices for counties to respond to the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Child Health

Related Web page: www.appliedsurveyresearch.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation