Schweinhart, A., & Simons-Rudolph, A.
Women who experienced IPV in the previous year were more likely to have an HIV/AIDS diagnosis and women with substance use disorders (SUDs) are at higher risk for IPV victimization. Kentucky is at the center of the intersection of HIV, SUD, and IPV with increasing rates of violence, 54 of the 220 counties nationwide most vulnerable to HIV outbreaks, and some of the highest opioid prescribing rates. Disparate service providers express a desire to deliver comprehensive services to survivors, but are challenged by regulations, timing, funding, institutional inertia, and provider stigma.
Collaboration Action Plans are one way to address the complex needs of IPV survivors by translating organizational desire to work together into an actionable reality. Distinct from MOUs and Strategic Plans which are often more rigid and developed by organizational leaders, a Collaboration Action Plan is a flexible, “living document” that begins by defining a shared community vision across organizations and involves direct service providers with lived experience.
As a multi-project research-practitioner partnership, we have explored evidenced-based solutions to promote health among survivors in Louisville, Kentucky. From projects funded by the Office for Victims of Crimes and the Office of Women’s Health, we present data about knowledge and attitudes of IPV and other service providers, including barriers to collaboration to inform planning.
We propose a Collaboration Action Plan as a first step to build relationships and a shared community vision that extends beyond that of any single service agency. Participants will form small, diverse teams and create their own Collaboration Action Plan to tackle real-world issues.
