The Jackson County Safe Family Coalition is dedicated to educating practitioners about the dynamics of co-occurring cases of domestic violence and child maltreatment through cross-training about interventions, resources, enhancements to practice, and policies/procedures of partnering systems; developing coordinated policies, procedures, and practice assessments, as well as information sharing protocols that will address both domestic violence and child maltreatment; and engaging the community and providing awareness about the need to provide a comprehensive array of accessible, culturally competent services that will respond to the unique strengths and concerns of families.  SFC’s guiding principles are that responses to family violence should provide meaningful help, support, and services for families; hold violent perpetrators responsible for their behavior; and provide legal interventions and services to stop violence and abuse.

SFC accomplishments between 2006 and 2008 include free training opportunities for mental health, criminal justice, child welfare, and domestic violence advocates; presentations by national experts on co-occurrence and family violence; professional relationship building between child welfare and domestic violence organizations; cultural competency events; skill enhancement workshops for coalition and community members; community engagement and public awareness activities; system reform activities; evaluation and assessment processes; and sustainability efforts.

MISSION Jackson County Safe Family Coalition (SFC) is changing policy and practice through a coordinated and integrated community response that will provide safety, enhance well-being, and provide stability for children and families.  The goal if the SFC is to reduce the co-occurrence of child abuse and domestic violence.