Last week, we were very excited to announce that Connecticut was chosen as one of four states to receive a grant from Futures Without Violence (FUTURES) to promote policy and systems changes that support integrated and improved responses to intimate partner violence (IPV) and human trafficking. The Community Health Center Association of CT (CHCACT), the Connecticut Collation Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) and the CT Department of Public Health (DPH) are collaborating in this effort.

Marlene Moranino
Director of Clinical Programs

The $75,000 grant will allow CCADV, CHCACT and DPH to work with six community health centers and four domestic violence organizations in Connecticut to integrate screening and brief interventions into their health care delivery. The partnering organizations include:

- Optimus Health Care and Southwest Community Health Center with The Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport;

- United Community & Family Services with Safe Futures in New London;

- Charter Oak Health Center and InterCommunity with Interval House in Hartford; and,

- StayWell Health Center with Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury.

We know that people who have experienced IPV are more likely to report an increase in medical symptoms such as frequent headaches, sleeping difficulties, chronic pain and poor physical and mental health. In addition, women who are being abused are three times more likely to have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), as well as having significant impacts to sexual and reproductive health. Working together, we will achieve better outcomes for the victims of intimate partner violence. 

CHCACT, CCADV and DPH will begin training health center staff members next month, to support screening and identification of IPV and referral resources with the local domestic violence programs.  We will implement the FUTURES “tool kit” available to the health centers to support the integration of a response to IPV as a standard practice. Following the grant-funded period, CCADV and CHCACT will share project results, facilitate training and disseminate resources with their full membership for continued integration – so that all health centers in Connecticut will have the tools and expertise to provide proper screening and referrals. This grant will have a major impact in improving identification and health outcomes for survivors of intimate partner violence and human trafficking!

Have a great week!

Marlene