Message
from the Chair
The Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic
Violence has a vision of a safe and non-violent community in which all
people are free from physical, emotional and sexual abuse. That vision
is a vision of our community, Whatcom County. Commission members
representing the many partners involved in domestic violence prevention
worked together during 2007 to improve our community’s response to
domestic violence so that our vision will someday become our reality.
In 2007, the Commission set into motion initiatives that will bring our
community closer to our vision. The Commission, in partnership with the
City of Bellingham was awarded a major federal grant to provide our
small cities with a domestic violence advocate to help victims of
domestic violence navigate the criminal/legal system. Additionally, as a
result of Commission efforts, the Meridian School District adopted a
Domestic Violence policy that is the first of its kind in Washington
State.
This year will be an exciting year for the Commission. After a
completing a thoughtful and inclusive strategic planning process this
past year, the Commission is poised to launch new initiatives under our
vision. The Commission will focus on bringing partners together to
examine the feasibility of the Family Justice Center model for our
community. Additional focus will be placed on bringing together mental
health and substance abuse partners to develop a coordinated community
response to domestic violence issues. We also plan to reach out to the
business community to help with issues that arise when domestic violence
spills over into the workplace. I look forward to the day when domestic
violence is a rare occurrence in our community, and I am proud to share
in the vision that will make it happen.
Regina Delahunt, Chair
PURPOSE
Functions
- Develop and implement a coordinated comprehensive domestic violence plan that is monitored, evaluated and updated on a regular basis.
- Promote coordination and increase collaboration of institutions, systems and services as they respond to offenders, victims, children and others who have been impacted by domestic violence.
- Increase community awareness and understanding about domestic violence.
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- Serve as an advisory board to local government agencies and the community with respect to domestic violence issues.
- Develop community benchmarks for monitoring domestic violence and prepare an annual report.
- Serve as a community forum on domestic violence and create a mechanism for identifying issues, concerns, needs and resources.
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Membership
The Commission consists of 14 government and 14 community members. Government officials are designated by government position. Community members are appointed by the Mayor of Bellingham and the County Executive from among members of the community who have an interest in, or are impacted by, domestic violence. The Mayor and County Executive each appoints seven community members representing the following stakeholder groups:
- Domestic Violence Service Provider (1 each)
- Human Service Providers (2 each)
- Major Employer (1 each)
- Health Care Provider (1 each)
- Community at Large (2 each)
Terms of appointed members are 4 years. If you are interested in serving on the Commission, please contact the Commission at mail@dvcommission.org.
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Meetings
Commission meetings are open to the public and are generally held on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 10:00 a.m. until noon, in January, April, June, September and November.
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.Strategic Plan
The Commission has developed a multi-year strategic plan that is used as a basis for the Commission’s annual work plan. Committees and work groups actively work throughout the year to implement the strategic plan.
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.Publications
Published works of the Commission can be found on the reports page
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