The Greenbook Initiative

•  Effective Interventions in Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment Cases: Guidelines for Policy and Practice was published by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) in 1999.

• Also referred to as the “Greenbook”, which is helping domestic violence agencies, child welfare agencies, and family courts work together more successfully to serve families experiencing violence.

• In December of 2000 and January of 2001, the U.S. Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services funded six communities under an inter-Departmental demonstration initiative: “Collaborations to Address Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment.” These six communities were: Santa Clara County, California; San Francisco, California; Lane County, Oregon; El Paso County, Colorado; St. Louis County, Missouri; and Grafton County, New Hampshire.

• Since the “ Greenbook” was published, many societies around the country have used it to improve their guidelines and practice; and have developed better communication among courts and social service agencies in order to better serve families in need (Schechter & Edleson, 1999).

Conclusion

• Due to the delicate nature of domestic abuse cases, intervention can be difficult.

• To tackle this problem, awareness must raised and professionals working in the field need to recognize the warning signs in order to intervene quickly and efficiently.

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