COORDINATED COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAMS

One of the successful intervention efforts to address domestic violence that is becoming more common throughout the nation is referred to as a coordinated community response. A coordinated community response brings together not only the professionals that respond to domestic violence but laypersons, community leaders, and faith leaders, among others, to address the issue of domestic violence within that particular community.  The purpose of a coordinated community response is to develop a climate within the community where victims are safe and batterer’s are held accountable.  A coordinated community response is not the sole responsibility of the domestic violence service providers, but of the whole community.

Within a coordinated community response is a Domestic Violence Task Force (DVTF). The task force is comprised of the professionals and community members that come together to improve the community’s response to domestic violence. Through the DVTF, formal and informal networks to enhance communication and collaboration are established.  The goals of a DVTF generally include facilitating community education, identifying multidisciplinary training, coordinating public awareness and legislative education, identifying gaps in services, and building resources for victims to create a coordinated community response.

A Coordinated Community Response (CCR) Team is a committee of the DVTF comprised of a specific group of criminal justice professionals. The function of this group is to address changes within the criminal justice system. Generally, a CCR Team is comprised of an assistant district attorney, law enforcement representatives, court personnel, probation and parole personnel, victim service providers, and batterers’ treatment program providers. The CCR Team develops protocols and procedures so that agencies are better able to work together, reviews cases which provide an opportunity to talk, resolves problems, and makes changes within the system in order to improve the community’s response to domestic violence.

The position of a Coordinated Community Response Specialist is funded through a grant from the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). Currently, six (6) communities have established a coordinated community response and a large number of communities are in process of developing one. The Coordinated Community Response Specialist can assist communities in developing a coordinated community response to domestic violence. To request technical assistance or to access other services, please contact:

Sandra Thompson
Coordinated Community Response Specialist
Federal Grants Division
Oklahoma District Attorneys Council
405/264-5008
Sandra.Thompson@dac.state.ok.us