Hampton Roads Military and Civilian Family Violence Prevention Task Force

Background January, 1999 – “60 Minutes” Fort Campbell, KY story April, Establishment of Department of Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence November, DoD Task Force met with Hampton Roads Navy and Air Force Family Advocacy Programs (FAP) April, 2001 and Navy sponsored Community Collaboration Luncheons, seeking better quality care in delivery of military and civilian domestic violence services August Stand up of Hampton Roads Domestic Violence Prevention Task force

Community Collaboration Goals Foster working relationships with all Hampton Roads domestic violence advocates and responders including Peninsula, Southside, and North Carolina Directors of municipal Social Service Departments, Chiefs of Police, School Superintendents, Judges, Commonwealth Attorneys, Child and domestic violence advocacy Program Directors and all military branches

Add’t Community Collaboration Goals Build partnering approaches for community initiatives such as DV response, education and prevention programming, public relations, event planning, impacting legislation Establish an integrated approach to communication, information and resource sharing, treatment recommendations Maximize collaborative response on child abuse cases, consistent with intent of the VA General Assembly

Examples of Changes Sought Establish parity in judicial responses to domestic violence for similar offenses across the region Promote dependable, high quality victim advocacy, sheltering and other safety services across region Ensure timely delivery of protective orders for victim across region’s borders Coordinate municipal and military handling of domestic violence complaints Share treatment resources and advocate at all levels for improved research and treatment options

Initial Community Collaboration Outcomes Navy established MOU’s with: Chesapeake, Newport News, and Suffolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Newport News, Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach Department of Social Services Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney and Victim Witness Agency Agreement Southside and Peninsula Healthy Families Programs Norfolk State University School of Social Work Agreement to augment Task Force meetings with continuing DV related training for participants

Task Force Progress August 2002: Hampton Roads Military and Civilian Task Force on Family Violence Prevention membership defined: Southside and Peninsula cities, DV court Judges, Commonwealth Attorneys, Chiefs of Police, School Superintendents, municipal Departments of Social Services, all branches of military service (Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard) family violence response agencies and advocacy groups October 2002: City of Chesapeake hosted the first official meeting of Task Force Participants conducted a Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis of the Region

Task Force Progress March 2003 : City of Norfolk hosted SWOT analysis reviewed (strengths in resources, weaknesses in knowledge of resources, opportunities for collaboration, legalities of sharing information). Direction identified, action plans formulated June 2003: City of Virginia Beach hosted Cities and military branches briefed on accomplishments to date,regional issues, gaps in service, current service capabilities and capacity

Task Force Progress October 2003: City of Portsmouth/Step Council hosted Task Force members proposed training for the Hampton Roads Region Judges in collaboration with the Hampton Roads Domestic Violence Alliance with focus on Regional consistency in DV prosecution February 2004: Navy hosted Briefs on military prosecution and arrest process, cross jurisdictional issues, collaboration opportunities

Task Force Progress June 2004: Fort Eustis hosted Training provided by GreenBook Initiative of Colorado October 2004: Fort Monroe hosted Strategic Planning for MOU goals and verbiage January 2005: Newport New Community Services Board hosted Discussion of MOU to identify partner differences, implementation timelines plans and timelines April 2005: Ctr for Sexual Assault Survivors (Hampton) hosted Draft MOU, timeline, and metrics provided Institutionalizing task force work, tracking progress, implementation discussed

Task Force Progress July 2005: YWCA/SAFE (Norfolk) hosted MOU language proposal finalized, signing ceremony discussed Each City/Military Branch will determine signature authority November 2005: City of Norfolk and FFSP Hosted MOU language finalized, participants reconfirmed commitment to MOU Final planning meeting hosted by Virginia Beach on 21 January

MOU signing scheduled March 21, 2006: Navy plans to host signing ceremony for Memorandum of Understanding Municipal, military, public and private organization leaders expected to participate in the ceremony, symbolizing commitment to eliminating domestic violence through partnering approaches Ceremony will kick off April observation of “Child Abuse Prevention Month”

Future of Task Force Task Force partners will continue to collaborate on goals of reducing domestic violence Designated MOU signature authority will be seated on a permanent board, creating the Hampton Roads Military & Civilian family Violence Prevention Council Group will establish by-laws and guidelines for ongoing work

Signing Authorities Responsibilities Council will meet at least annually to Review and Evaluate periodic Reports from MOU partners Review/analyze metrics, data for trends/patterns Outline recommendations for further collaborative work Update the MOU as needed

QUESTIONS?