The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) hosted a Technical Assistance Webinar, “Beyond the Protocol: Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Intervention” on April 20, 2010. This webinar discussed issues including: definitions of domestic violence, implications and strategies for fatherhood programs, and domestic violence and fatherhood program partnerships.

This is a Web-based training and education program that was developed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women and Witness Justice, to address issues facing professionals that work with survivors of domestic violence. The online curriculum includes training on working with undocumented survivors, promoting cultural competency, and providing Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care. Since TANF professionals are often faced with participants that may have experienced domestic violence, these training courses can support effective service delivery.

This research, from the National Center for Children in Poverty, looks at the role of trauma long- and short-term for children. Trauma not only can cause physical and emotional health conditions, but can cause difficulties in learning, ongoing behavior problems, impaired relationships, and poor social and emotional competence. Additionally, children exposed to trauma at a younger age are more vulnerable to problems related to brain development than older children.

This report is from the GAO and identifies services provided to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking and the demographics of victims receiving services. GAO reviewed grantee data to determine what kind of information is reported to HHS and DOJ from grant recipients on the population served. HHS and DOJ reported that there would be significant challenges in collecting and reporting data on the demographic characteristics of victims receiving services because of confidentiality and safety, resource constraints, overburdening recipients, and technological issues.

This report from the National Center for Children in Poverty provides recommendations for how trauma-responsive systems can support children, youth, and families who experience trauma in their lives. The impact of trauma can be mitigated by a care delivery and support system that is trauma-informed, prevention oriented, and focused around improving mental health functioning.

This report is from the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and provides information on 1,243 local domestic violence programs operating in the United States collected in November 2006 as part of the first National Census of Domestic Violence Services (NCDVS). The Census collected information on adults and children receiving services from the local domestic violence programs during the 24-hour survey period.

This article, from the Family Violence Prevention Fund, provides an overview of the Community Partnerships for Protecting Children (CPPC) initiative and offers information on the intersection between domestic violence and child maltreatment. Additionally, authors offer information on four community partnerships and their strategies for addressing domestic violence issues in their communities.

Senators Paul Wellstone (D-MN) and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced legislation in Fall 1999 aimed at protecting the youngest victims of domestic violence. The Children Who Witness Domestic Violence Protection Act of 1999 (S. 1321) includes many of the same provisions as Title II of the Violence Against Women Act of 1999 (H.R 357), as well as authorization for new grant programs. The bill provides for partnership-building between domestic violence service agencies and child welfare agencies; training for child welfare workers and police officers; and training for elementary and secondary school officials on recognizing and meeting the needs of children and teenagers who are witnessing or experiencing domestic violence in their homes or relationships. The "Children Who Witness" bill also makes funds available for the creation of supervised visitation centers and crisis nurseries for victims of child abuse. This bill is not yet legislation.

For more information on S. 1321, contact National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 's Public Policy Office at (202) 745-1211 or ncadv2@sprynet.com

This newsletter, from the Family and Youth Services Bureau, gives information on how youth in tribes are often best served through culturally-specific programs. Currently, more than a third of the Native American community is under the age of 18, which makes it important to work with the tribal youth. Tribes are currently working with Family and Youth Services Bureau in an effort to better serve Native youth and families.

The CalWORKs Project seeks to inform policy makers, using a variety of approaches, in order to positively influence CalWORKs policy and practice, particularly in the areas of identification, referral, and delivery of mental health (MH), alcohol and other drug (AOD), and domestic violence (DV) services to CalWORKs-eligible families.