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Funding for Hospital-Based Domestic Violence Program Offered by Michigan Blues
Posted on: 07/02/
DETROIT -- In Michigan, nearly 47,000 domestic violence offenses were reported in , including 42 fatalities, according to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center. Nearly one- third of those incidents -- and nearly one-quarter of the fatalities -- were in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties.
In an effort to stop the cycle of abuse that can escalate into a fatal incident, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network will award a $20,000 grant to assist or enhance one Michigan hospital's domestic violence intervention program. The recipient's program must support increased education and awareness among hospital staff to promote domestic violence intervention programs in the healthcare setting.
The grant is part of the company's multi-year effort to combat domestic violence in the community, which has included the launch of a toolkit for doctors and dentists to use when they screen patients, and funding to reach students through school presentations.
Physicians play an important role in helping victims. Between and , after the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended that physicians screen female patients for partner abuse, violence against women by their intimate partners declined 21 percent, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Justice.
"The grant funding by the Blues can help strengthen the role of a local hospital in addressing domestic violence," said Marlene Hulteen, senior vice president of Michigan Health & Hospital Association's Health Trust. "Healthcare professionals are uniquely positioned to help people who experience violence. Nearly all women use the healthcare system at some point in their lives, whether for routine care, illness or injury. For patients experiencing abuse at home, medical professionals may act as a lifeline for those whose contact with the outside world is controlled by an abusive partner."
The successful applicant will receive a 12-month $20,000 grant to collaborate with a domestic violence agency to identify and assist patients in abusive domestic circumstances. Up to one-half of the grant may be used to educate hospital staff, both medical and non-medical. The remaining funds are to be applied to carrying out a full-year action plan with a multi- disciplinary team that will include collaboration with a domestic violence agency.
Proposed plans should include system-wide policies and procedures to address domestic violence and a plan to evaluate the program's success. Priority will be given to applicants describing creative approaches to educating hospital staff, encouraging systematic screening of patients for domestic violence, and creating a safe environment in which patients are more willing to disclose abuse.
Michigan-based acute care hospitals with at least 150 licensed beds are eligible to apply. Applications are due July 21. Funding will be approved by August 18. For details, call Carolyn Wiener at or email . For information on other Michigan Blues domestic violence prevention programs, log on to www.bcbsm.com/blues/sm/.
Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Blue Care Network
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