Evaluating Coordinated Community Responses for Abused Women and Their Children (From Domestic Violence in the Lives of Children: The Future of Research, Intervention, and Social Policy, P 269-282, 2001, Sandra A. Graham-Bermann and Jeffrey L. Edleson, eds.--See NCJ-190013)

• NCJ Number: 190024
• Author(s): Cris M. Sullivan; Nicole E. Allen
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: American Psychological Assoc
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter reviews the current emphasis on coordinating the community response to domestic assault and provides a multilevel framework for the evaluation of efforts to address the needs of abused women and their children.

Abstract

A coordinated community response (CCR) involves community-wide efforts to bring together all relevant stakeholders to respond to domestic violence comprehensively and ultimately to end that violence. Data suggest that coordinating councils have a role in encouraging interorganizational exchanges, developing more highly integrated service delivery systems, and enhancing communication among agencies. Evaluating a CCR requires a multilevel analysis to determine the degree to which change has occurred on the community level and the degree to which these efforts are resulting in meaningful change in the lives of women and children. A multiple-level framework includes the individual or family level, the community level, and the State or Federal level. The research questions usually determine the choice of evaluation strategies and the use of qualitative or quantitative approaches. All evaluations also need to include women’s and children’s voices and honestly portray their experiences. Tables and 24 references