For DVCC Information contact Karen Hadley, Executive Director,  or Sue Michalski, M.S.R.N., Healthcare Project Director at 402-398-9928. MISSION The DVCC's Mission is to increase victim safety and: 1. Effectuate coordination between agencies, departments     and courts with victims of domestic violence.  2. Promote education, training and public awareness, and 3. Improve the response to domestic violence to reduce the      incidents thereof.    THE COUNCIL The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council of Greater Omaha began working as a collaborative force in March 1996. The DVCC is a non-profit organization comprised of approximately 50 community leaders including the County and City Attorney Offices, Probation, city and county law enforcement, city and county government officials, Metro Omaha Medical Society, Legal Aid, victim service providers, Public Defenders Office, Omaha Bar Association, Omaha Public Schools and representatives from area businesses, insurance companies, the religious community and local universities. FACTS · In 1998, six of 11 hospitals reported a total of 216,000 ER visits. Of those, local researchers have determined that an estimated 22-35% of all women who present with injury at Emergency Departments nationwide are there seeking treatment for injuries or a condition caused by battering. · In 1993, six Omaha area hospitals conducted research to determine the frequency with which women presenting to Omaha ER's were there due to domestic violence. 41% of the 6,000 women surveyed indicated that they were at this visit or previously had been in the ER because of an abusive relationship. · Omaha 911 Communication Center receives approximately 900 Intimate Partner Violence related calls each month. · Omaha Police Department Domestic Violence Squad actively investigates approximately 450 new IPV cases each month that involve visible signs of injury. · All greater Omaha health care providers were provided with the county "Domestic Violence Protocol for Healthcare Providers" in 1997 and 1998. If you wish to obtain a copy of these protocols, contact the Metro Omaha Medical Society at 393-1415. · Medical education and training on IPV considerations actively commenced in great Omaha in the fall of 1994. · In a May 1997 JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) article, medical researchers concluded that 3 brief questions by health care providers (the "PVS" - partner violence screening) will detenct 64.4% to 71.4% of women who have a history of partner violence. THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCIL Created a specialized Domestic Violence Investigation Squad with the police department. Created a specialized Domestic Violence Prosecution Unit within the County Attorney's Office. Created a specialized Domestic Violence Probation Unit within the probation department. Funded a consultant to provide specialized domestic violence training and education to law enforcement, prosecution and probation. Provided for domestic violence training, education, and handbooks to over 500 uniform police officers and 150 sheriff deputies on enhanced domestic violence investigations. Purchased Polaroid Spectra cameras and film for every law enforcement vehicle in the county. Provided for domestic violence training and education for assistant county attorneys to pursue "victimless prosecutions". Provided domestic violence training and education for probation officers. Created two positions of "Domestic Violence Prosecutorial Liaisons" who liaison between law enfocement and prosecutors to ensure successufl prosecution of batterers. Purchased several computers and software development to enable prosecutors, law enforcement and victim service providers to communicate as well as track victim and perpetrator information. Developed, printed and disseminated medical protocols to coordinate the health care providers' response to domestic violence. Funded a consultant to provide specialized domestic violence training and education to medical healthcare providers. Created standardized Batterer Intervention Program Standards along with the implementation and accreditation process. Has begun the coordination of Omaha's pastoral response to domestic violence. Produced domestic violence public service announcement commercials, printed educational materials and videos aimed at raising community awareness and aired statewide. Conducted numerous focus groups of underserved populations in greater Omaha to determine where gaps exist and what services are needed. And countless other functions and services that have enhanced victim safety and batterer accountability.