Research shows that children exposed to domestic violence have an increased risk of being abused or neglected. Enhancing the collaboration between the domestic violence and child welfare systems can lead to improved communication and effective coordination of services. Find resources that address practice considerations and tips to implement changes to improve case outcomes and family well-being.
Child Protection in Families Experiencing Domestic Violence (2nd ed.)
Child Welfare and Domestic Violence: The Impact on Children and Families (PDF - 1,802 KB)
Quality Improvement Center on Domestic Violence in Child Welfare (2018)
Summarizes data and statistics on domestic violence and its impact on children. The factsheet reviews prevalence of domestic violence, the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment, access to services, utilization of services, and more.
Co-Location of Child and Family Services
Rural Health Information Hub (2019)
Examines the practice of cross-system collaboration between substance abuse, domestic violence, and child welfare agencies, which often serve the same population. The website gives examples of States that co-locate these services in order to better serve children and families.
Domestic Violence and the Child Welfare Professional Tip Sheets
Capacity Building Center for States (2017)
Addresses general practice considerations for agency interventions, such as screening, documenting descriptions of abuse and protective efforts, and evaluating risk. These tip sheets provide foundational information and suggestions for using effective language for documentation, assessing safety and the impact of domestic violence on survivors, and avoiding assumptions in casework.
- General Practice Tips (PDF - 127 KB)
- Tips for Assessment (PDF - 86 KB)
- Tips on Documentation (PDF - 136 KB)
- Tips on Decision-Making (PDF - 119 KB)
- Tips for Engaging Families (PDF - 136 KB)
- Tips on Planning (PDF - 97 KB)
Futures Without Violence
Focuses on helping traumatized domestic violence victims and encourages communities to take a stand against violence
How Can Child Protection Agencies Partner With Domestic Violence Programs?
Casey Family Programs (2021)
Discusses the intersection between intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment to increase cross-system collaboration. This resource also details concrete suggestions that child welfare agencies can implement to make services more responsive to those who have experienced IPV.
How Can Domestic Violence Programs Partner With Home Visiting Programs to Better Support Survivors and Their Children?
Hood & Kelly (2019)
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, VAWnet
Explores how partnerships between domestic violence programs and home visiting services can serve as a promising model for the prevention of future abuse and for helping adult and child survivors heal from trauma.
Model Procedures for Domestic Violence Cases: IM-19-06
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Support Enforcement (2019)
Provides guidance and model procedures for child support staff when processing cases involving domestic violence. The resource includes information on processing cases with previous good cause closure; family violence indicator practices; processes for protecting addresses and personal contact information; and confidentiality and protection of due process rights.
Opportunities for Progress: Better Serving Families With Domestic Violence Through the Family First Prevention Services Act (PDF - 3,369 KB)
Center for the Study of Social Policy (2019)
Explains the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018, which created new opportunities for domestic violence and child welfare agencies to work together to serve and engage families. This paper outlines challenges to this partnership and highlights best practices for supporting children and families involved in child welfare and domestic violence services.
The Power of Collaboration in Preventing Child Neglect: Partnering With Substance Use, Mental Health, and Domestic Violence Systems (PDF - 615 KB)
FRIENDS National Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (2018)
Addresses the importance of collaboration with substance use, mental health, and domestic violence systems as partners in preventing child abuse and neglect.
Practice Notes: Intimate Partner Violence in Child Welfare (PDF - 410 KB)
University of Minnesota, Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (2017)
Reviews children's exposure to violence and the intersection with child welfare involvement and child maltreatment. The resource includes information on reactions to violence based on age, practice considerations for those working with children exposed to violence, and a case example.
Intimate Partner Violence in Child Welfare (PDF - 410 KB)
Practice Notes, 29 (2017)
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare
Reviews children's exposure to violence and the intersection of child welfare involvement and child maltreatment. The resource includes information on reactions to violence based on age, practice considerations for those working with children exposed to violence, and a case example.
The Safe and Together Model as a Method of Creating Domestic Violence-Informed Child Welfare Systems (PDF - 407 KB)
Safe and Together Institute (2018)
Showcases a set of tools and interventions under the Safe and Together Model approach to working with domestic violence cases within child welfare systems. The model is designed to focus on best interest of children and creates a whole family approach to achieve a more comprehensive assessment of risk, safety, and protective factors and also engages men to become better fathers.
Safely Pursuing Child Support
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Office of Child Support Enforcement (2020)
Lists resources that can help parents experiencing domestic violence pursue child support safely.