Background

In 2013, the OCWHP conducted a needs assessment and planning process which determined the local healthcare sector was not adequately addressing the health impacts of domestic violence (DV), nor was it integrated with the shelter, social, legal and other services that support DV survivors in Orange County. 

Understanding that such gaps contribute to poor health outcomes, the OCWHP engaged key partners, developed a vision, secured funding, established a robust evaluation plan, and launched the “Domestic Violence & Health Collective” (DVHC) in October 2014.  This vision recommended a set of four strategies that would, if implemented in a coordinated manner, strengthen the local healthcare sector’s response to domestic violence and improve linkages between the healthcare sector and the social, shelter and legal services that support DV survivors and their families in Orange County.

Subsequently, in December 2014, Blue Shield of California Foundation awarded over $1.9 million to the OCWHP to oversee, coordinate and evaluate the DVHC - Orange County.

Approach: Four Coordinated Strategies

In January 2015, the OCWHP conducted an open, competitive RFP process to identify lead agencies for each of the recommended strategies.  In June 2015, the OCWHP awarded sub-grants to four local organizations to implement the following four strategies.

Strategy 1:

Cross-Disciplinary Training
for Healthcare and Social Service Providers

Strategy Leads: Human Options (on behalf of Laura's House and Women's Transitional Living Center) and UC Irvine Initiative to End Family Violence

The objective of the Cross-Disciplinary Training strategy was to promote consistent screening, counseling and referrals for domestic violence by healthcare and social service providers in Orange County. 

Strategy 2:

Central Clearinghouse

Strategy Lead: 2-1-1 Orange County

The objectives of the Central Clearinghouse strategy were: 

• To create a comprehensive, up-to-date, and user-friendly directory of domestic violence services and resources that can be accessed online or by telephone

• To facilitate smooth referrals and “warm handoffs” for domestic violence services in Orange County

• To maintain an online domestic violence “portal,” which is a dedicated webpage where providers and patients/clients may review and download relevant domestic violence materials such as safety plan checklists, validated screening tools, web-based trainings on how to screen and counsel, etc. 

Strategy 3:

Public Health Campaign

Strategy Lead: Waymakers

The objectives of the Public Health Campaign (PHC) strategy were:

• To increase awareness that domestic violence affects your health and help is available from a healthcare provider

• To reduce stigma around domestic violence in general

Strategy 4:

Assessing the Mental Health & Substance Abuse Needs of DV Survivors in Orange County

Strategy Lead: Orange County Women’s Health Project

In 2016, the OCWHP led a Needs Assessment and Planning Process to understand the intersection between DV, mental health and substance abuse in Orange County.  Through this process, the OCWHP made three major findings and corresponding recommendations.  These results were published in a Policy Brief in 2017. 

The OCWHP created an online training on the intersection of domestic violence DV, mental health, and substance abuse developed specifically for substance abuse treatment providers and others working with this population.