DETROIT -- The National Crime Prevention Council's new book, 50 Strategies to Prevent Violent Domestic Crimes, features the Domestic Violence Toolkit for physicians and other healthcare professionals. The toolkit was developed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network in partnership with the Michigan Nurses Association, Michigan Osteopathic Association, Michigan State Medical Society and the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

According to the NCPC, the book's 50 programs were selected from thousands of the most progressive nonprofits, law enforcement agencies and grassroots community groups; and each offers tips, lessons learned and obstacles faced.

"Replication and adaptability were necessary qualities for a strategy to be included in the publication," said Jack Calhoun, president and CEO of the National Crime Prevention Council. "The programs highlighted in this guide are inspirational and provide practitioners tips and strategies to use back in their own community."

Illustrating the point that every citizen is responsible for crime prevention, 50 Strategies features often forgotten first responders -- such as physicians, dentists, hairdressers, bartenders and clergy -- to recognize the signs of domestic violence.

The Domestic Violence toolkit contains a reference manual on domestic abuse; a pocket card to guide health care professionals through the steps necessary to identify an abusive situation; posters to mount in women's lavatories or examining rooms; an overview of medical protocols for intervening in domestic violence and guidelines for adhering to the reporting requirements under Michigan law, including information on immunity from prosecution for those who report.

The toolkit is one of a number of initiatives the Blues have launched as part of their award-winning domestic violence awareness program to motivate and enable Michigan businesses, schools and health care professionals to join forces in a campaign against domestic abuse.

"We're honored that the product of a cooperative effort in Michigan to help prevent domestic violence will be featured in a publication with national reach," said Diana Jones, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's vice president of community affairs. "It will help spread the word that we all need to get involved in the campaign against domestic violence. Reducing domestic abuse benefits all of us -- not just from the reduction in health care costs associated with domestic violence, but also from the positive social and emotional impact a reduction in violent incidents will bring to our communities."

50 Strategies to Prevent Violent Domestic Crimes (ISBN 1-88-18-X) is the third book in the NCPC's "Strategies" series and can be ordered by calling toll-free (800) NCPC-911 or online at www.ncpc.org . Michigan healthcare professionals can order the toolkit featured in the book by calling Michigan Blues at or by faxing or online at http://www.bcbsm.com/blues/sm .

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) is a private, nonprofit tax- exempt 501(c)(3) organization whose primary mission is to enable people to create safer and more caring communities by addressing the causes of crime and violence and reducing the opportunities for crime to occur. NCPC manages the McGruff Take a Bite Out of Crime public service advertising campaign. NCPC is funded through a variety of government agencies, corporate and private foundations, and donations from private individuals.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit corporation, provides healthcare benefits to 4.8 million members through a variety of plans.

Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Blue Care Network