Evaluation of Pierce County’s Approach to Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Services

Pierce County, Washington seeks to acquire the services of a contractor to evaluate and make recommendations on the county’s approach to domestic violence services and prevention. The county supports domestic violence services primarily through the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center (by interlocal agreement with the City of Tacoma), which coordinates with the Sheriff and Prosecutor, as well as through partnerships with organizations in the community. The county also provides funding to organizations supporting victims of domestic violence, including the YWCA, the Korean Women’s Association, and Exodus Housing. In 1994, the county established in code the Pierce County Commission Against Domestic Violence, which included government and community representatives and was tasked with developing and implementing a Comprehensive Domestic Violence Plan for the county. The Coalition has not met regularly since the development of the Family Justice Center. In 2021 the County, in partnership with the City of Tacoma, released the Strategic Alliance to End Family Violence Report. The purpose of the partnership was to: • Assess efficiency and effective use of limited resources; • Make recommendations to minimize or eliminate gaps and redundancies in service; and • Coordinate delivery of domestic violence victim services through an integrated, client-centered service model. The report contained recommendations for service providers as well as recommendations for the County and City, including: • Incorporate measurable outcomes in all contracts for domestic violence services; • Ensure domestic violence providers have adequate support, training, and resources to provide accessible, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed services responsive to a survivor’s specific personal circumstances; and • Explore opportunities to collaborate across jurisdictions on aligning funding cycles, strategies, and final grant awards.