Mission/Vision

To provide statewide training and education programs in order to build capacity among advocates and organizations committed to preventing domestic violence.

Program Description and Key Functions

EPIC’s Violence Prevention Unit has administered the Domestic Violence Training and Education Program for over 12 years. This statewide program is funded by the Domestic Violence Training and Education Fund (DV Fund 642) which collects fees paid by convicted batterers as a condition of their probation (Penal Code 1203.097). The goal of the program is to build the capacity of professionals and service providers who are already in contact with women and men at risk and have the opportunity to intervene before and immediately after domestic violence has occurred.

The Domestic Violence Training and Education Program has trained hundreds of probation officers, judges, court personnel, home visitors, and domestic violence advocates throughout the state. It has used a train-the-trainer model to build and imbed prevention knowledge and strategies that will be sustained for many years. Current projects for 2005 – 2008 are:

Faith Leaders and Domestic Violence Advocates: A Continuing Collaboration

This project hosts workshops that bring clergy, from a wide variety of spiritual traditions, and domestic violence prevention advocates together as collaborators for peaceful families. Faith leaders learn how to infuse domestic violence prevention into their work, for example, through spiritual messages, counseling, religious education, and community outreach.

Freedom from Violence: Preventing Violence Against Women with Disabilities

This project strengthens prevention efforts for women with disabilities by training disability service providers (staff from Independent Living Centers, Regional Centers, etc.) and domestic violence advocates together. By bringing two very different constituencies together, the project fosters new working relationships to ensure the needs of these most vulnerable women are met.

Target Population

Local professionals and service providers identified by key constituents as having the best opportunity to address domestic violence with populations at risk.

Key Partners

The Violence Prevention Unit plans and implements the Domestic Violence Training and Education Program in consultation with the Statewide Domestic Violence Advisory Council and other state agencies and statewide organizations including, among others: the California Attorney General’s Office, the California Commission on the Status of Women, the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, and the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

Recent Success/Milestones

The Preventing Violence Against Women with Disabilities Training Project has received a tremendous response from the field, and met a critical need among both the disability and domestic violence constituencies. This collaborative effort is stimulating creative solutions and fostering innovative changes to address issues of accessibility, and laying the foundation for additional efforts to prevent violence against women with disabilities in California.

Additional Information

Please contact Nancy Bagnato at nancy.bagnato@cdph.ca.gov.