Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence
State Coordinator
Lucy Rios
422 Post Road, Suite 102
Warwick, RI 02888
Phone: (401) 467-9940
Fax: (401) 467-9943
Web: www.ricadv.org
E-mail: lucy@ricadv.org
Overview of State Program
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) was incorporated in 1979 to assist and support the state's shelters for battered women in planning, program development, systems advocacy, public education, and prevention. RICADV seeks to eliminate domestic violence in Rhode Island by supporting and enhancing the work of member agencies and by providing leadership on domestic violence issues.
Prior to receiving funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rhode Island (RI) had nine Coordinated Community Response (CCR) programs, created to service victims in rural communities. CDC funded four new urban community coalitions tasked with implementing primary prevention initiatives and changing community attitudes about intimate-partner violence. RI was the only state to fund new, not existing, CCRs.
RICADV convenes local CCR coordinators monthly to provide support, technical assistance, and capacity-building sessions on Getting to Outcomes. The purpose of these monthly meetings is to improve the effectiveness of existing prevention strategies and build capacity for future prevention planning. The Coalition has provided prevention-focused training to local CCRs and the community. Training events are announced in the biannual Training Calendar.
RICADV has established a statewide steering committee for the Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) program and has partnered with an evaluator to further program objectives. Members of the DELTA state steering committee include representatives from Rhode Island's Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Mental Health and Retardation, Department of Corrections, Diocese of Providence, and Attorney General's Office; Blue Cross Blue Shield; Brown University; statewide organizations like DAY ONE and the Katie Brown Educational Program; and DELTA-funded member organizations that target domestic violence.
RICADV has taken the following steps to advance DELTA program objectives:
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Conducting prevention-focused training for the community, Coalition staff, and DELTA-funded communities
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Developing a statewide steering committee
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Putting primary prevention on the agendas of other state committees
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Integrating prevention principles into other Coalition departments.
In 2007, RICADV elevated prevention to a director level position, demonstrating the commitment to furthering primary prevention strategies. The Coalition has also co-presented with other DELTA states on primary prevention concepts at various conferences.
State Future Directions
RICADV will continue to collaborate with other states to promote the DELTA program through presentations and statewide conferences. The Coalition is also working with the boards of member programs to include the primary prevention of domestic violence in strategic planning. In the summer of 2008, RICADV will launch the
"Awaiting Instructions" campaign from the Family Violence Prevention Fund.
Local Projects
| 1. | CCR: | Cranston United Against Violence and Abuse |
| Fiscal Agent: | Elizabeth Buffum Chase House | |
| Priority Population: | Youth, parents | |
| 2. | CCR: | Newport COVE and Students Against Domestic Abuse |
| Fiscal Agent: | Women's Resource Center of Newport and Bristol Counties | |
| Priority Population: | Youth, parents | |
| 3. | CCR: | Providence Partnership for Healthy Kids |
| Fiscal Agent: | Women's Center of Rhode Island | |
| Priority Population: | Youth, community, men | |
| 4. | CCR: | Woodlawn Community Partnership Team |
| Fiscal Agent: | Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center | |
| Priority Population: | Youth |
Page last modified: May 21, 2008