Collaboration

The California Statewide Leadership Group on Domestic Violence and Child Well-being is a voluntary affiliation of governmental and nonprofit organizations that offer a broad spectrum of services and supports for families with the co-occurring challenges of domestic violence and child maltreatment. Membership includes leaders from juvenile and family courts; law enforcement agencies; and agencies and organizations that address child welfare, domestic violence, public health, emergency services, alcohol and drug abuse, and mental health at the state and local levels.

The Leadership Group’s work builds on lessons learned from communities that have addressed the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment and on guidelines developed by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. For more information on these guidelines, refer to The Greenbook.

Addressing Domestic Violence, Child Safety and Well-Being: Collaborative Strategies for California Families
This report is designed to identify the progress that has been achieved in California over the past decade and make policy recommendations for the state that will not only improve responses to the families affected by domestic violence but begin to put in place strategies for prevention. The report outlines a comprehensive set of recommendations. It provides an overview of data obtained via surveys, interviews and case files, and presents the gaps, challenges and opportunities identified by respondents. It also highlights promising practices and collaborative initiatives that may provide inspiration and indications to communities and government that different approaches are possible, and that safety and wellbeing are achievable.

The Violence Against Women Education Project (VAWEP) is funded by the California Emergency Management Agency with resources from the federal Office on Violence Against Women to support the superior courts in creating a more effective response to cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and teen dating violence. VAWEP provides the courts with information, educational materials, and training on the court’s role in responding to these cases. VAWEP is a project of the AOC CFCC implemented in collaboration with the AOC’s Education Division/Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER). The project’s planning committee, comprised of judicial officers, attorneys, victim advocates, and other experts, guides the project staff in identifying key training issues and developing appropriate educational programming. Efforts to develop and augment educational events and curricula related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are ongoing and are designed to be responsive to the identified needs of California courts. 

Violence Against Women Education Project Fact Sheet      
VAWEP Annual Report 

The Domestic Violence Practice and Procedure Task Force (DVPPTF) was established to recommend changes to improve court practice and procedure in cases involving allegations of domestic violence. In its charge the task force was further instructed that its recommendations should address the fair, expeditious, and accessible administration of justice for litigants in domestic violence cases. More Information