Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Progress Report: Domestic Violence Program Improves Coordination, But Lacks Data on Long-Term Effect of Services

Report 02-19, March 2002




Report Summary

  • In response to our 2000 report, the Department of Children and Families' (DCF) Victims of Domestic Violence Program acted to improve coordination with the Child Protection Program. Specifically, DCF mandated that family service counselors complete competency-based pre-service training as part of the certification process. The department also required child protection staff to complete a risk assessment and background screening for all household members in all reports received. Finally, DCF has continued to monitor certified domestic violence shelters and child protection offices to ensure that they have effective departmental agreements.
  • However, the program has not collected information to assess whether its services help victims remain permanently safe from domestic violence. Instead, it has planned a new monitoring initiative for safety plans beginning in July 2002 to improve program effectiveness. Nevertheless, we continue to believe the program should collect data to improve assessment of its long-term effectiveness.


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Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
social services, health, abuse of elders, child abuse, child protection, domestic violence, Florida abuse hotline, monitoring, outreach, victims, victims services