Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
State Coordinator
Julie Ann Rivers-Cochran
425 Office Plaza Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (850) 656-6985
Web: www.fcadv.org
E-mail: rivers_julieann@fcadv.org
Overview of State Program
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) is the statewide, membership organization for the forty-two certified domestic violence centers in Florida and is governed by a sixteen member Board of Directors. In 1977, fourteen shelters formed a network of battered women's advocates known as the Refuge Information Network. Incorporated later as FCADV, the organization was founded on principles of cooperation and unity among shelters. Today, FCADV serves as the professional association for the state's certified domestic violence centers, and is the primary representative of battered women and their children in the public policy arena. Its mission is to create a violence free world by empowering women and children through the elimination of personal and institutional violence and oppression against all people. Members share the goal of ending domestic violence through community education, public policy development, services for survivors, and primary prevention programming.
Since 2002, FCADV has worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop and implement the Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) program. In 2003, FCADV organized a DELTA Oversight Committee composed of a diverse group of state-level professionals who offer guidance and support to the State Coordinator and assist with monitoring local projects. In 2006, the Committee expanded its membership and added to its responsibilities the creation of a Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence Statewide Plan. Now known as the State Steering Committee (SSC), Committee members meet quarterly and participate in conference calls and trainings.
FCADV is committed to advancing the understanding and implementation of primary prevention principles at the local level. DELTA funds have allowed FCADV to respond to more than 200 requests for help from local projects by providing technical assistance and conducting trainings.
In 2006, FCADV supported local DELTA programs by providing program evaluation training and technical assistance. The Coalition met with local programs regularly to promote Getting to Outcomes, a planning framework, and empowerment evaluation. The state DELTA Coordinator continued to emphasize primary prevention during trainings with non-DELTA and partner organizations.
In 2007, FCADV requested that Governor Crist include funding for statewide prevention initiatives in his recommended budget. The Florida Legislature approved this request and as a result, all 42 certified domestic violence centers created a blueprint for future prevention efforts tailored to meet the unique needs of each community.
In 2008, FCADV held its first annual Primary Prevention Institute, Primary Prevention of Domestic Violence: Planning for a Violence-Free Future. This three-day Institute offered participants the opportunity to hear from nationally-renowned speakers on topics such as community organizing for social change, engaging men and other nontraditional partners in primary prevention efforts, and working with communities to implement prevention strategies and programming.
This year each of the 42 certified domestic violence centers will also complete five-year strategic plans for preventing intimate partner violence.
State Future Directions
FCADV is committed to advancing primary prevention principles at the state level. The Coalition will actively promote primary prevention and integrate strategies into upcoming events, conferences, and trainings. FCADV is creating a state-level Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Plan that will guide its efforts in the coming years. An empowerment evaluator has been working closely with the State Coordinator and the SSC to develop this plan.
FCADV will also continue to implement prevention principles, concepts, and practices through a strategic planning process, provide technical assistance to local initiatives, and conduct trainings.
Local Projects
| 1. | CCR: | Orange County Domestic Violence Task Force |
| Fiscal Agent: | Harbor House | |
| Priority Population: | Underserved youth, communities of color | |
| 2. | CCR: | Pasco County Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force |
| Fiscal Agent: | Sunrise of Pasco County, Inc. | |
| Priority Population: | Youth and the underserved | |
| 3. | CCR: | Palm Beach County Domestic Violence Council |
| Fiscal Agent: | YWCA, Harmony House | |
| Priority Population: | Youth, immigrants, and communities of color | |
| 4. | CCR: | Okaloosa-Walton Domestic Violence Coordinating Council |
| Fiscal Agent: | Shelter House, Inc. | |
| Priority Population: | Youth | |
| 5. | CCR: | Bradford County Domestic Violence Task Force |
| Fiscal Agent: | Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Network | |
| Priority Population: | Youth | |
| 6. | CCR: | Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force |
| Fiscal Agent: | The Haven of RCS | |
| Priority Population: | Underserved youth |
Page last modified: June 10, 2008