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Purpose and Benefits
The purpose for convening the Fairfax County Domestic Violence Prevention, Policy, and Coordinating Council (the Council) is to bring together top-level public officials and community leaders to advise the Board of Supervisors on a range of domestic violence policy, legislative, and program issues and guide the development of a coordinated and collaborative community-based response to domestic violence in Fairfax County.
Background
In June 2002, a workgroup was formed by the Board of Supervisors to examine the county’s response to domestic violence and to identify best practices related to domestic violence issues, policy, and coordination. The workgroup, which included representatives from the County Executive’s office, key county human services agencies, public safety, judicial, and community-based organizations, recommended that a domestic violence oversight council made up of policy level public officials and community leaders be formed to act as an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors on domestic violence issues and to lead the development of a coordinated response to domestic violence in Fairfax County.
Function and Scope of Responsibility
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Advise the Board of Supervisors on a range of policy, legislative, and program issues related to domestic violence
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Develop a shared vision, mission, and goals for a collaborated and coordinated response to domestic violence issues
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Develop multi-system and collaborative strategies to improve legal and programmatic responses to domestic violence issues in a consistent manner, including standardization of data collection and sharing
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Develop a strategic plan that embraces the priorities of our community and addresses the core issues of family violence consistent with the Code of Virginia and best practices
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Evaluate and monitor the quality and effectiveness of county, criminal justice, public safety, human services, and the community services responses to domestic violence
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Promote a clear understanding of current domestic violence laws, resources, and issues
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Engage the community in a collective response to the prevention and intervention of domestic violence
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Identify additional resources (e.g., federal and foundations grants, individual and corporate contributions, etc.) available to support the work and recommendations put forth by the Council
Sponsorship
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and County Executive
Membership
Support and Roles
The Department of Systems Management for Human Services (DSMHS) will provide principal staff support through the Domestic Violence Coordinator. Under the leadership of the Deputy County Executive, the Director of the Department of Systems Management for Human Services and the Domestic Violence Coordinator, staff from various county and community agencies will also provide technical and analytical support.
Deliverables
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Conduct assessment of domestic violence laws, resources, services, community engagement, prevention, and intervention initiatives.
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Implement an ongoing assessment of domestic violence programs, services, and resources.
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Identify and address barriers that impede the development of a countywide coordinated response to domestic violence and work to reduce or eliminate those barriers.
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Develop and implement a set of both process and outcome measures that support the operation and evaluation of domestic violence prevention, intervention, and enforcement efforts.
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Support the standardization and sharing of domestic violence process and outcome information.
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Identify external resources and funding to support the development of a coordinated response to domestic violence.
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Report findings and make legislative and policy recommendations to the Board of Supervisors