HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman has announced that the department is reaching out to physicians with materials to help them identify domestic violence victims and let them know where they can refer patients to receive appropriate services.

As part of the same project, DPW will provide information to

Pennsylvania's Medicaid (Medical Assistance) recipients to increase awareness

about domestic violence and give them advice on how and where to get help.

"Domestic violence affects families from all nationalities, races and

socio-economic backgrounds, and has both human and economic costs,"

Richman said.  "We have a duty to end the scourge of domestic violence, and

this awareness initiative for Medical Assistance recipients will add to our

other efforts to prevent and address domestic violence."

Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Medical Society, more than

18,400 primary-care physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners

in the state will receive a domestic violence-screening tool to use with their

patients and information about available resources for victims of domestic

violence.  The tool was developed by the society's Medical Director's Forum.

"Domestic violence is so often kept in the home - hidden from those who

could help," Richman said.  "That's why we are pleased to have the

Pennsylvania Medical Society among our partners in engaging doctors, so they

can help us reach those who need help."

A series of four articles on domestic violence awareness, prevention and

how to get help will be included in all of the newsletters distributed by

managed-care organizations to Medical Assistance consumers. Other consumer-directed efforts will include pocket cards and information on Web sites.  Physician practices will have the opportunity to order patient educational materials for their offices.

The Department of Public Welfare worked with a number of partners on this

initiative, including the Medicaid managed-care organizations, the Department

of Health, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the Managed Care Association of

Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Coalitions Against Domestic Violence and Rape

and the State Police.

In , more than 120 people were killed in Pennsylvania as a result of

domestic violence.

This fiscal year, DPW will spend more than $19 million in state and

federal funds on direct services for victims of domestic violence, as well as

prevention activities.  These programs are provided through a grant with the

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which contracts with 62

local non-profit agencies.  The Coalition also provides training to county

social workers and domestic relations staff so they can identify domestic

violence victims and refer them to services.

Pennsylvania's Medical Assistance Program provides healthcare coverage to

more than 1.5 million low-income residents.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare