Home > Systemwide > Service Array > Domestic Violence > Casework Practice With Families Affected by Domestic Violence > Evidence-Based Practice in Domestic Violence Services

Evidence-Based Practice in Domestic Violence Services

Child welfare professionals should strive to ensure that they are providing sound and effective services to children, youth, and families impacted by domestic violence. This section includes resources on promising practices in child welfare and domestic violence services, including State and local examples.

California Evidence-Based Practice Clearinghouse for Child Welfare Provides information about programs in a number of topic areas related to child welfare, including domestic violence, that have been reviewed and rated utilizing the CEBC Scientific Rating scale to determine the level of evidence for the program. Information Packet: Domestic Violence and Its Role in Child Welfare (PDF - 244 KB) National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning (2006) Examines the intersection of domestic violence and child welfare and presents effective practices that combine both fields. Safe Start: Promising Approaches Communities: Working Together to Help Children Exposed to Violence (PDF - 1864 KB) Safe Start Center & Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (2008) Describes each of the 15 Safe Start Promising Approaches communities and outlines how these programs are integrating evidence-based or promising practices as well as other complementary interventions within their geographical, agency, and community contexts.

Attachment and Trauma: An Integrated Approach to Treating Young Children Exposed to Family Violence
Busch & Lieberman (2007)
In Attachment Theory in Clinical Work With Children: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice
View Abstract
Describes strategies for using attachment relationships to facilitate children's recovery from trauma.

Early Childhood, Domestic Violence, and Poverty: Helping Young Children and Their Families (PDF - 1532 KB)
Schechter (Ed.) (2004)
Presents a series of papers offering practical guidelines and policy recommendations to professionals who work with young, low-income children affected by domestic violence and poverty.

Family Team Conferences in Domestic Violence Cases: Guidelines for Practice (PDF - 396 KB)
Carter (2003)
Presents guidelines to prepare and conduct a conference that will result in the best possible child welfare decision and safety for all.

First Steps: Taking Action Early to Prevent Violence
Prevention Institute (2002)
Synthesizes research on violence prevention efforts, presents best practices, and offers a comprehensive strategy to start effective violence prevention efforts at an early age.

Interpersonal Violence in the African American Community: Evidence-Based Prevention and Treatment Practices
Hampton, Thomas, & Ramos (2006)
View Abstract
Examines interpersonal violence within the African-American community and offers evidence-based practices for prevention and intervention.

Interventions to Address Intimate Partner Violence: The Current State of the Field
Lutzker (Ed.) (2006)
In Preventing Violence: Research and Evidence-Based Intervention Strategies
View Abstract
Reviews the most common types of interventions to address intimate partner violence (IPV), including community-based programs to assist victims, criminal legal system-based programs to assist victims or hold batterers accountable, batterer intervention programs, and coordinating councils designed to bring systems together to respond effectively to IPV.

Steps Toward Safety: Improving Systemic and Community Responses for Families Experiencing Domestic Violence (PDF - 1720 KB)
Family Violence Prevention Fund (2007)
Examines lessons learned from programs for women and children experiencing domestic violence.

Victim Services: Promising Practices in Indian Country
Tribal Law and Policy Institute (2004)
Describes promising practices for meeting the needs of victims of violence, including domestic violence, in American Indian communities.

Watching From the Stairs: Towards an Evidence-Based Practice in Work With Child Witnesses of Domestic Violence
Rivett, Howarth, & Harold
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2006
View Abstract
Examines current research that explains how witnessing domestic violence affects children and proposes guidelines for an evidenced-based practice that is built on this research.

(Back to Top)

State and local examples

Model Protocol for Advocates Working With Battered Women Involved in the Child Protection System (PDF - 555 KB)
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2003)
Describes the problems battered women face in maintaining custody of their children when they are involved in the child protection system and presents a model protocol for advocates in Washington State working with battered women with children.

Quality Child Welfare Practice With Families Affected by Domestic Violence: A Strategic Plan (PDF - 133 KB)
New York Administration for Children's Services (2003)
Presents a strategic plan for developing an integrated, comprehensive, and cohesive response to domestic violence in New York City's Administration for Children's Services.

Updated on January 5, 2009