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

Abstract #60044

Kathleen Chamberlin, RN, MS and Deborah Cohen, MPH, MFT. EPIC Branch, Violence Prevention Program, California Department of Health Services, MS 7214, PO Box 942732, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, (916) 552-9847, kchamber@dhs.ca.gov

This presentation will focus on the assessment, design, implementation and evaluation of two interrelated statewide training projects. One will train faith leaders and the other will enhance domestic violence advocates’ ability to work with local faith communities in domestic violence prevention and intervention. The projects are being implemented by the California Department of Health Services, EPIC Branch, Violence Prevention Program.

Domestic violence leaders and advocates recognize that faith leaders are key collaborators in a coordinated, community response to domestic violence. However, working with faith leaders to develop an inclusive support network is not always an easy task. These projects were designed to facilitate this work and are based on an extensive needs assessment process.

The two projects approach the issue from different perspectives. The Faith Leaders and Domestic Violence project offers regional workshops for faith leaders to encourage their participation in community-wide efforts and provides strategies to incorporate domestic violence prevention activities within their congregations. The Domestic Violence Advocates and the Faith Community project offers regional training to instruct advocates on how to increase referrals and enhance involvement of local faith communities in their activities.

An advisory committee composed of clergy and advocates guides each project. A shared Inter-Project Workgroup coordinates the two projects’ activities. In addition to regional trainings, the projects collaborate on mini-grant awards to local coalitions/groups, and convene a statewide educational event: “Working Together for Change: the Intersection between Faith and Family Violence”.

The projects will be in Year Two of three when the APHA conference commences.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to:
• Describe two barriers to involving the faith community in local domestic violence efforts.
• Identify three needs assessment tools that will guide a plan for enhancing clergy participation in local domestic violence efforts.
• Describe three components of a comprehensive plan to engage the faith community in local domestic violence prvention and intervention activities.
• Discuss two ways in which domestic violence advocates and faith leaders can collaborate to prevent and intervene in family violence activities.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Violence Prevention

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.