appendix2

APPENDIX CONTINUED

Courts

Section Recommended Action

1C Ongoing task forces will be established at three levels: a) administrative/procedural, b) case review, c) community education, to insure that the system's responses to and practices regarding domestic violence are consistent with a value of zero tolerance for domestic violence.

2E More advocacy services will be made available and the District Attorney and Law Enforcement Agencies will ensure that victims have the right to the advocate of their choice, and will not in any way interfere with that right.

2G The bench will take the stance that domestic violence is a community issue, i.e., this is the state of California versus the abuser, not just a personal issue, and the courts actions will reflect this position in how they operate.

3A & 9E Ongoing, mandatory multi-disciplinary training will be
provided for all county and Law Enforcement agencies (sworn and non-sworn), at all levels, on domestic violence, child abuse, cycles of violence, and power and control dynamics within interpersonal relationships. Such training should focus on issues such as:
* discretion/reasonable victim standard for enforcement of TROs,
* use of stay away orders, emergency protective orders and orders after hearing,
* assessment of and strategies for identifying and dealing with high-risk cases,
* asserting leadership on the front-line, including: risk- taking, courage, creative problem-solving,
* report writing that creates a common language and understanding of domestic violence, stalking and child abuse.
* values, attitudes and belief systems and the difficulties they pose in addressing domestic violence.

3B All agencies will convene and collaborate on inter-agency reviews on their effectiveness in addressing domestic violence in order to promote common understanding and problem solving, particularly in high-risk cases.

4A Each entity within the system will identify a point of accountability, specific goals and appropriate measures of performance, and a mechanism for initiating corrective action when performance goals aren't met.

4B A data gathering and reporting system that fills the need for meaningful performance measurement will be implemented.Statistics measuring domestic violence case volume and outcomes (see prototype, Appendix 2: National Bulletin on Domestic Violence) will be reported monthly to the DVCC and made available to the public.

4C The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (DVCC) will have appropriate staffing and authorization to oversee and review the system's performance. By February 1, 1997 the Sheriff's Dept., Courts, District Attorney, other Law Enforcement Agencies, Probation, CPS/HSD and other service providers, as needed, will present to the DVCC plans for implementing the actions recommended in this report. By December 1, 1997, and at least annually thereafter, the DVCC will hold hearing and report on progress of such implementation.

4D A mechanism will be established that allows victims and advocates to raise questions or concerns on the handling of individual cases and for cases to receive a formal review that results in corrective action, as needed.

6A All Law Enforcement Agencies, Courts, District Attorney's Office Staff, CPS/HSD, probation will provide clear policies and criteria on assignment of both sworn and non-sworn personnel, including:
* If there is any personal involvement in domestic violence there will be no involvement in domestic violence case work.
* Specific referrals to certified batterers' programs must be made and followed up.
* Extra protection must be provided for spouses, children or others who register a complaint.

6B The Courts, Law Enforcement Agencies, District Attorney and others in the system will examine their internal norms and standards re: domestic violence and correct any deficiencies, as needed.

8A Develop and circulate an easily understandable matrix
explaining the variety of restraining orders available to the
public. (see Appendix #3)

8B Maintain support for the Santa Rosa TRO Clinic and set up Mobile TRO clinics in order to serve geographic areas outside Santa Rosa, using judges or a judge pro tempore, and coordinated with other service agencies and Law Enforcement.

8C Filing of a no contact order will be mandated in all criminal domestic violence cases, even when the perpetrator is in custody or the victim lives with or intends to continue living with the perpetrator.

8E All TRO information and forms will be provided in Spanish.

8F Use of volunteers to accompany people involved in TRO or criminal proceedings will be expanded and institutionalized.

9C More advocacy services will be made available and the District Attorney and Law Enforcement Agencies will insure that victims have the right to the advocate of their choice, and will not in any way interfere with that right.

10A Establish standardized data collection for improved analysis of system performance and trends.

10H The bench will take the stance that domestic violence is a community issue, i.e., this is the State of California versus the abuser, not just a personal issue, and the courts actions will reflect this position in how they operate.

10J The courts will actively explore ways to organize their calendars to minimize fragmentation across different kinds of cases, including working towards establishing a one file, one family approach to file management.

11E Expand victim's and children's counseling programs, including individual and group counseling and play therapy for young children. Provide these services in geographically diverse locations.

12A Certified translators will be provided in the courts and at all points of contact with the system. In the provision of translation services, there will be documentation of the translator by name, and identification of all services provided.

12B Certification of translators will include assurance of culture and gender compatibility.

12D All legal and educational forms and materials will be provided in languages prevalent within the county.

CPS/HSD

Section Recommended Action

3A & 9E Ongoing, mandatory multi-disciplinary training will be provided for all county and Law Enforcement agencies (sworn and non-sworn), at all levels, on domestic violence, child abuse, cycles of violence, and power and control dynamics within interpersonal relationships. Such training should focus on issues such as:
* discretion/reasonable victim standard for enforcement of TROs,
* use of stay away orders, emergency protective orders and orders after hearing,
* assessment of and strategies for identifying and dealing with high-risk cases,
* asserting leadership on the front-line, including: risk- taking, courage, creative problem-solving,
* report writing that creates a common language and understanding of domestic violence, stalking and child
abuse.
* values, attitudes and belief systems and the difficulties they
pose in addressing domestic violence.

3B All agencies will convene and collaborate on inter-agency reviews on their effectiveness in addressing domestic violence in order to promote common understanding and problem solving, particularly in high-risk cases.

4A Each entity within the system will identify a point of accountability, specific goals and appropriate measures of performance, and a mechanism for initiating corrective action when performance goals aren't met.

4D A mechanism will be established that allows victims and advocates to raise questions or concerns on the handling of individual cases and for cases to receive a formal review that results in corrective action, as needed.

5C Law Enforcement and the Human Services Department must implement a much closer and more coordinated working relationship regarding Child Protective Services (CPS/HSD).

6A All Law Enforcement Agencies, Courts, District Attorney's Office Staff, CPS/HSD, probation will provide clear policies and criteria on assignment of both sworn and non-sworn personnel, including:
* If there is any personal involvement in domestic violence there will be no involvement in domestic violence case work.
* Specific referrals to certified batterers' programs must be made and followed up.
* Extra protection must be provided for spouses, children or others who register a complaint.

6B The Courts, Law Enforcement Agencies, District Attorney and others in the system will examine their internal norms and standards re: domestic violence and correct any deficiencies, as needed.

7A Law enforcement protocols will include contact and ongoing coordination with CPS/HSD in all domestic violence incidents where children are present, regardless of whether there is evidence of "physical" harm to the children.

7B CPS/HSD protocols will include screening and contact and ongoing coordination between Law Enforcement Agencies and other agencies where there is an indication of domestic violence.

7C Mechanisms will be developed to allow agencies working with victims of domestic violence or child abuse to communicate and coordinate services to insure safety of families.

7E In all domestic violence or child abuse matters, safety of family members will have a higher priority than confidentiality.

9B There needs to be a much more comprehensive protocol covering referrals between Law Enforcement and Child Protective Services.

11B CPS/HSD will establish an intermediate intervention between
"family maintenance" and "removal of children" to provide more intensive supervision where a threat of domestic violence is at issue.

11E Expand victim's and children's counseling programs, including individual and group counseling and play therapy for young children. Provide these services in geographically diverse locations.

12C Increased sources of Spanish-speaking counseling services will be identified.

Probation

Section Recommended Action

4A Each entity within the system will identify a point of accountability, specific goals and appropriate measures of performance, and a mechanism for initiating corrective action when performance goals aren't met.

4B A data gathering and reporting system that fills the need for meaningful performance measurement will be implemented. Statistics measuring domestic violence case volume and outcomes (see prototype, Appendix 2: National Bulletin on Domestic Violence) will be reported monthly to the DVCC and made available to the public.

4D A mechanism will be established that allows victims and advocates to raise questions or concerns on the handling of individual cases and for cases to receive a formal review that results in corrective action, as needed.

10C Successful disposition of a case must include:
* All victims of domestic violence will be notified prior to release of a batterer.
* All victims are educated re: options, recommendations and consequences of threatening actions by the batterer.
* A plan for coordinated support by agencies and a community of support.

11G Expand batterers' programming, including individual and group education and counseling for identified offenders, for perpetrators who self identify and to those in custody. Provide these services in geographically diverse locations.

12C Increased sources of Spanish-speaking counseling services will be identified.
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Section	Recommended Action
1C	Ongoing task forces will be established at three levels: a) administrative/procedural, b) case review, c) community education, to insure that the system's responses to and practices regarding domestic violence are consistent with a value of zero tolerance for domestic violence.
2E	More advocacy services will be made available and the District Attorney and Law Enforcement Agencies will ensure that victims have the right to the advocate of their choice, and will not in any way interfere with that right.
2G	The bench will take the stance that domestic violence is a community issue, i.e., this is the state of California versus the abuser, not just a personal issue, and the courts actions will reflect this position in how they operate.
3A & 9E	Ongoing, mandatory multi-disciplinary training will be provided for all county and Law Enforcement agencies (sworn and non-sworn), at all levels, on domestic violence, child abuse, cycles of violence, and power and control dynamics within interpersonal relationships. Such training should focus on issues such as: * discretion/reasonable victim standard for enforcement of TROs, * use of stay away orders, emergency protective orders and orders after hearing, * assessment of and strategies for identifying and dealing with high-risk cases, * asserting leadership on the front-line, including: risk- taking, courage, creative problem-solving, * report writing that creates a common language and understanding of domestic violence, stalking and child abuse. * values, attitudes and belief systems and the difficulties they pose in addressing domestic violence.
3B	All agencies will convene and collaborate on inter-agency reviews on their effectiveness in addressing domestic violence in order to promote common understanding and problem solving, particularly in high-risk cases.
4A	Each entity within the system will identify a point of accountability, specific goals and appropriate measures of performance, and a mechanism for initiating corrective action when performance goals aren't met.
4B	A data gathering and reporting system that fills the need for meaningful performance measurement will be implemented.Statistics measuring domestic violence case volume and outcomes (see prototype, Appendix 2: National Bulletin on Domestic Violence) will be reported monthly to the DVCC and made available to the public.
4C	The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (DVCC) will have appropriate staffing and authorization to oversee and review the system's performance. By February 1, 1997 the Sheriff's Dept., Courts, District Attorney, other Law Enforcement Agencies, Probation, CPS/HSD and other service providers, as needed, will present to the DVCC plans for implementing the actions recommended in this report. By December 1, 1997, and at least annually thereafter, the DVCC will hold hearing and report on progress of such implementation.
4D	A mechanism will be established that allows victims and advocates to raise questions or concerns on the handling of individual cases and for cases to receive a formal review that results in corrective action, as needed.
6A	All Law Enforcement Agencies, Courts, District Attorney's Office Staff, CPS/HSD, probation will provide clear policies and criteria on assignment of both sworn and non-sworn personnel, including: * If there is any personal involvement in domestic violence there will be no involvement in domestic violence case work. * Specific referrals to certified batterers' programs must be made and followed up. * Extra protection must be provided for spouses, children or others who register a complaint.
6B	The Courts, Law Enforcement Agencies, District Attorney and others in the system will examine their internal norms and standards re: domestic violence and correct any deficiencies, as needed.
8A	Develop and circulate an easily understandable matrix explaining the variety of restraining orders available to the public. (see Appendix #3)
8B	Maintain support for the Santa Rosa TRO Clinic and set up Mobile TRO clinics in order to serve geographic areas outside Santa Rosa, using judges or a judge pro tempore, and coordinated with other service agencies and Law Enforcement.
8C	Filing of a no contact order will be mandated in all criminal domestic violence cases, even when the perpetrator is in custody or the victim lives with or intends to continue living with the perpetrator.
8E	All TRO information and forms will be provided in Spanish.
8F	Use of volunteers to accompany people involved in TRO or criminal proceedings will be expanded and institutionalized.
9C	More advocacy services will be made available and the District Attorney and Law Enforcement Agencies will insure that victims have the right to the advocate of their choice, and will not in any way interfere with that right.
10A	Establish standardized data collection for improved analysis of system performance and trends.
10H	The bench will take the stance that domestic violence is a community issue, i.e., this is the State of California versus the abuser, not just a personal issue, and the courts actions will reflect this position in how they operate.
10J	The courts will actively explore ways to organize their calendars to minimize fragmentation across different kinds of cases, including working towards establishing a one file, one family approach to file management.
11E	Expand victim's and children's counseling programs, including individual and group counseling and play therapy for young children. Provide these services in geographically diverse locations.
12A	Certified translators will be provided in the courts and at all points of contact with the system. In the provision of translation services, there will be documentation of the translator by name, and identification of all services provided.
12B	Certification of translators will include assurance of culture and gender compatibility.
12D	All legal and educational forms and materials will be provided in languages prevalent within the county.

Section	Recommended Action
3A & 9E	Ongoing, mandatory multi-disciplinary training will be provided for all county and Law Enforcement agencies (sworn and non-sworn), at all levels, on domestic violence, child abuse, cycles of violence, and power and control dynamics within interpersonal relationships. Such training should focus on issues such as: * discretion/reasonable victim standard for enforcement of TROs, * use of stay away orders, emergency protective orders and orders after hearing, * assessment of and strategies for identifying and dealing with high-risk cases, * asserting leadership on the front-line, including: risk- taking, courage, creative problem-solving, * report writing that creates a common language and understanding of domestic violence, stalking and child abuse. * values, attitudes and belief systems and the difficulties they pose in addressing domestic violence.
3B	All agencies will convene and collaborate on inter-agency reviews on their effectiveness in addressing domestic violence in order to promote common understanding and problem solving, particularly in high-risk cases.
4A	Each entity within the system will identify a point of accountability, specific goals and appropriate measures of performance, and a mechanism for initiating corrective action when performance goals aren't met.
4D	A mechanism will be established that allows victims and advocates to raise questions or concerns on the handling of individual cases and for cases to receive a formal review that results in corrective action, as needed.
5C	Law Enforcement and the Human Services Department must implement a much closer and more coordinated working relationship regarding Child Protective Services (CPS/HSD).
6A	All Law Enforcement Agencies, Courts, District Attorney's Office Staff, CPS/HSD, probation will provide clear policies and criteria on assignment of both sworn and non-sworn personnel, including: * If there is any personal involvement in domestic violence there will be no involvement in domestic violence case work. * Specific referrals to certified batterers' programs must be made and followed up. * Extra protection must be provided for spouses, children or others who register a complaint.
6B	The Courts, Law Enforcement Agencies, District Attorney and others in the system will examine their internal norms and standards re: domestic violence and correct any deficiencies, as needed.
7A	Law enforcement protocols will include contact and ongoing coordination with CPS/HSD in all domestic violence incidents where children are present, regardless of whether there is evidence of "physical" harm to the children.
7B	CPS/HSD protocols will include screening and contact and ongoing coordination between Law Enforcement Agencies and other agencies where there is an indication of domestic violence.
7C	Mechanisms will be developed to allow agencies working with victims of domestic violence or child abuse to communicate and coordinate services to insure safety of families.
7E	In all domestic violence or child abuse matters, safety of family members will have a higher priority than confidentiality.
9B	There needs to be a much more comprehensive protocol covering referrals between Law Enforcement and Child Protective Services.
11B	CPS/HSD will establish an intermediate intervention between "family maintenance" and "removal of children" to provide more intensive supervision where a threat of domestic violence is at issue.
11E	Expand victim's and children's counseling programs, including individual and group counseling and play therapy for young children. Provide these services in geographically diverse locations.
12C	Increased sources of Spanish-speaking counseling services will be identified.