Family Crisis Services - Health Care Initiative

	Health Care Initiative
	Sponsored by, The Health Care Outreach Initiative at Maine Medical Center’s Family Support Program began in September 1997 as a collaborative effort between FCS, the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, Maine Medical Center's Family Support Program, and the Muskie School. This program was the first hospital-based domestic violence program in the state, placing a part-time domestic violence advocate on site. The advocate in this position is an employee of FCS as well as an employee of Maine Medical Center. The health care system is often the only institution that interacts with almost every woman at some point in her life.
	Effective intervention with battered women and their children requires a comprehensive approach that includes many community service providers. The health care system is a critical piece of this coordinated community response that can help to build a safety net for all victims of domestic abuse. Research has shown that appropriate intervention with victims of abuse in the health care setting: Offers an earlier intervention Sends the message that domestic violence is a serious issue Enhances the safety of victims Decreases the risk of children entering the foster care system Health care providers can help support victims of abuse if they learn to ask clients about violence, become better aware of signs that can identify victims of abuse, help women protect themselves by developing a personal safety plan for themselves and their children, and become aware of the resources available in the community. Effective domestic violence protocols around the country address the issue of the overlap of child abuse in conjunction with partner abuse. They recommend universal screening of all women and mothers of abused or neglected children. In 2003 Spectrum Medical Group provided support for our Health Care Outreach Program located at Maine Medical Center (MMC). Although we were unable to retain this initiative, due to budget constraints, MMC continues to fund this inititative on a half-time basis.