DVERT - Memorandum of Understanding

Collaboration in the 4^th Judicial District began in 1987, when the CSPD was selected to replicate the Minneapolis Domestic Violence study. Since then, the agencies on the DVERT Memorandum of Understanding have worked together to address this problem. In 1992, the CSPD, in conjunction with the 4^th Judicial DAO, engaged in a problem-solving process with local law enforcement, prosecution, judicial, and victim service agencies to develop a specific domestic violence response protocol for the Pikes Peak region. Since the inception of DVERT in 1996, many agencies have been added to DVERT’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) due to their integral role in a comprehensive collaborative response to domestic violence in the 4^th Judicial District. DVERT currently collaborates with 39 non-profit, private, and public sector organizations and individuals to provide a coordinated, multi-disciplinary response to domestic violence cases. In 2003, DVERT expanded its on-site services to include a full-service Family Independence Program through DHS. This program offers access to local, state, and federal economic assistance. This MOU includes all law enforcement jurisdictions within the 4^th Judicial District.

DVERT partner agencies participated in the creation of the 2004 Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) grant proposal through participation in grant planning meetings and through review and approval of the MOU, grant application, and proposed project budget.

By signing this MOU, each partner agency is committed to:
     (1) working cooperatively with DVERT and other community agencies to achieve stated project goals, including enhancing domestic violence victim safety, increasing offender accountability, and preventing domestic violence in the 4^th Judicial District;
     (2) to the extent allowed by law, sharing information regarding potential and active DVERT cases;
     (3) ensuring that all information released will adhere to relevant state/federal guidelines, MOUs, or similar protocols addressing information sharing, confidentiality, and cooperation in domestic violence prevention, investigation, and treatment;
     (4) participating in strategic planning meetings on a regular basis to ensure successful development and implementation of project activities and project sustainability;
     (5) participating in inter-agency problem-solving regarding all domestic violence cases;
     (6) referring high-risk-for-lethality domestic violence cases involving clients/constituents/service recipients to DVERT and providing information to assist in the investigation and assessments of these cases;
     (7) reviewing submitted referrals of individuals on the DVERT caseload for agency services and/or potential resources;
     (8) providing access to, or reports of, statistical information required for grant reporting; and
     (9) participating in appropriate cross training, as available and applicable.