By: Nālani Tarrant, Director SDOH, National Association of Community Health Centers
Community Health Centers (CHCs) serve as vital lifelines for millions, offering comprehensive care to underserved and vulnerable populations. One crucial area where CHCs make an impact is in addressing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)—a serious public health issue that often remains hidden. Through routine universal education on IPV, culturally sensitive approaches, and strong community partnerships, CHCs are uniquely positioned to identify and support those affected by IPV.
To show your Health Center’s commitment to addressing domestic violence year-round, we’ve compiled resources to help prevent and intervene in domestic violence cases for both patients and staff.
As we observe National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, we recognize the importance of addressing IPV in healthcare settings. Our National Training and Technical Assistance Partner (NTTAP), Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation, offers valuable resources, including a comprehensive action toolkit and general resources to equip CHCs and Primary Care Associations (PCAs) with the tools needed to intervene in cases of IPV, human trafficking, and exploitation.
Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day (HCADV) is observed on the second Wednesday of October (October 9, 2024). This day encourages healthcare providers to recognize the serious health impacts of domestic violence and take action to promote healthy, safe relationships. Sponsored by Futures Without Violence (FUTURES), HCADV Day engages healthcare and advocacy communities in IPV awareness, prevention, and warm referrals to domestic violence advocates.
We invite community health center staff to join FUTURES for the HCADV Day webinar, “Supporting IPV Survivors Through Harm Reduction,” on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 2:00pm ET (8 am HT / 11 am PT / 12 pm MT / 1 pm CT).
This event is being co-sponsored Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation, the National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence and the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health (NCDVTMH).
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) offers an Implementation Framework to help CHCs prevent and respond to IPV. The framework provides sample activities and resources across five key building blocks:
- Train and support the health care workforce.
- Engage with partners and their communities.
- Deliver care that is responsive to trauma and diverse cultures.
- Coordinate and carry out steps to prevent and respond to IPV.
- Use data to drive decision-making.
HRSA recognizes each organization is unique and has a range of experience in implementing IPV prevention and response initiatives. Organizations can pick the building blocks and activities that best align with their resources and needs.
ACEs Aware, a California initiative, focuses on preventing and addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. It equips healthcare teams to offer trauma-informed care through prevention education and screenings, while partnering with health systems to strengthen trauma-informed networks of care. ACEs Aware’s resources also align with efforts to reduce the risk of IPV and ACEs intergenerationally by fostering community prevention strategies, addressing toxic stress, and promoting healing.
The ACEs Aware Learning Center offers a wide range of free, continuing education resources for healthcare teams and community-based organizations. Highlights include:
- Introductory Course: Becoming ACEs Aware in California, which explores ACEs screening and trauma-informed care to help foster resilience at the individual and community levels.
- Stress Busters resources: Tips, handouts, and training to help patients manage stress.
- Prevention of Burnout for Health Care Teams: Strategies for healthcare teams to manage burnout.
- Webinars: Over 50 live and recorded webinars covering topics such as ACEs and Trauma-Informed Care in Reproductive Health, and Talking to Adolescents and Young Adults about ACEs.
For more information, visit the ACEs Aware website and subscribe to the ACEs Aware Newsletter for updates.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) VetoViolence website has interactive tools, trainings, and resources to help you and your community stop violence now and prevent it in the future. Learn how to address violence in your community; implement prevention programs, policies, and practices; and tailor approaches for different types of violence.
Community Health Centers are pivotal in the fight against IPV. With the support of resources like the HRSA Framework, Futures Without Violence and CDC’s VetoViolence tools, they are better positioned to deliver trauma-informed, culturally sensitive care to those most in need.
By leveraging these resources, CHCs can strengthen their ability to identify, respond to, and support patients affected by IPV, fostering safer, healthier communities. Together, we can transform healthcare settings into places where survivors of IPV are not only heard and supported but also empowered to heal and move forward.