Annual 10 % reduction in confirmed child abuse. Annual 10% reduction in reports of domestic violence.

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• # Confirmed child abuse and neglect (Chart).
• # Reported child abuse and neglect (Chart).
• Rates of confirmed child abuse cases (Chart).
• Rates of reported child abuse and neglect (Chart).
• # Abuse of family household member reports.
• # Abuse of family household member arrests.

• #  Domestic violence deaths.
• % People arrested for domestic violence who tested positive for alcohol or drugs.
• #Police domestic violence calls which resulted in temporary restraining orders.
• % Police domestic violence calls which resulted in temporary restraining orders.

• # Female patients in North Hawaii emergency rooms screened for domestic violence.
• % Female patients in North Hawaii emergency rooms screened for domestic violence.

• High and increasing rates of reported and confirmed child abuse in North Hawaii and Hawaii County reflect a past history of family violence, economic challenges, high teen birth rates, cultural norms and high rates of chemical dependency.
• The roots of child abuse are most often associated with frustration, uncontrolled anger, cultural traditions, lack of awareness of options, and undiagnosed or untreated depression and/or chemical dependency.
• The roots of spouse/partner abuse are often power and control issues and chemical dependency.
• The roots of elder abuse are often associated with frustration and lack of support systems.
• North Hawaii is a federally designated mental health shortage area.
• County collaboration to analyze and address child abuse and domestic violence was initiated in 1994 with the formation of a Domestic Violence Interagency Team (DIVIAT). DIVIAT is no longer meeting.  A new committee, Family Violence Interagency was formed.

• Primary Prevention:

  • Improve economic opportunities and educational opportunities. 
  • Reduce alcohol and chemical dependency.
  • Education:  Increase protective factors - resilience training for parents, providers, teachers and students.
  • See What Works Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect in Your Community.

Early Identification of High Risk Adults and Children

• Screening all newborns for risk – Healthy Start in Hawaii County run by Family Support Services of West Hawaii.
• Effective screening of new parents for identification and treatment of post-partum depression.
• Effective screening and treatment for chemical dependency and depression.

Access:

• Assure children have health insurance and a “medical home.”
• Increase access to prenatal care.
• Increase access to early home visits of newborns.
• Improve support of those trying to break the cycle - local shelters, advocates, link with legal, and financial resources.

North Hawaii                                            

• Monthly meetings of Domestic Violence Interagency Team collaborative, now replaced by Family Violence Interagency Committee.
• Domestic Violence Advocacy Training – 2002.
• Volunteer hot line- National: (800) 799-7233, Hawaii County:
• (800) 753-6879.
• Family Support Services of West Hawaii.
• New County multi-agency committee.
• Establishment of shelters.
• North Hawaii Drug-Free Coalition’s “Hugs Not Drugs” Baby Basket project in collaboration with Healthy Start.

Other

• Turning Point for Families - Hilo.         
• East Hawaii Domestic Violence Prevention Task Force.

Increase Awareness:

• Increase community awareness of issue, red flags and resources through co-sponsored community meetings and targeted media campaign.
• Increase awareness of domestic violence red flags with medical professionals and teachers.
• Increase awareness of hotlines and local resources.

Obtain Additional Data:

• Annual tracking and analysis of # of arrests and # of repeat offenders.
• Review and analyze data from previous domestic violence court monitoring project.

Inventory and Build on Existing Resources:

• Continue to identify partners and resources, Local, County, State and National.
• Safe homes, advocates.

Increase Organizational Links:

• Develop resource card and distribute to healthcare providers, human resource, schools & social workers.

Identify and Address Barriers:

• Address systems barriers such as lack of temporary restraining orders on weekends, attitudes, policies and training resources.
• Long-term:  Increase access to primary care and mental health resources.

Promote Effective Programs:

• Increase volunteers and trained advocates within the community.
• Develop access to shelters and link with resources to “break the cycle” including training to be financially independent. 
• Expand Turning Point for Families and outreach.

Promote Effective Practices:

• Consider resuming court monitoring project for domestic and family violence cases.

Promote Effective Policies:

• Research models and develop consensus.

Improve Health Systems:

• Provide physician education on screening, e.g. "Are you safe at home?” - professional education on depression and chemical dependency.
• Develop provider education and resource guide, and link with Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organization standards.
• Select and track “performance measures,” such as # of women coming into emergency room who are screened for risk of domestic violence.
• Link with Emergency Departments to develop screening program.

Acknowledge Champions and Progress:

• Identify lead organization to recognize champions.