March 20, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:    614-221-2885, Stephanie Tresso x15
                      614-722-5985, Karen Days

COALITION AND COLUMBUS STATE LAUNCHING ONLINE FAMILY VIOLENCE CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE

(COLUMBUS) — Health care professionals have a new resource for understanding the dynamics of family violence while earning continuing education credits. The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence, in partnership with Columbus State Community College, has launched an online continuing education course that provides health care professionals continuing education credits at work or home in one or several sessions. The course is also available to individuals interested in learning more about family violence.

The course provides participants with a solid understanding of family violence and the complexities that surround identifying, disclosing and reporting this serious social problem. An overview of family violence is provided along with detailed modules regarding domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse. Each module stresses the importance of screening and assessing all patients for abuse.

The course can be accessed on the Coalition’s web site – www.thecolumbuscoalition.org.

In addition to learning about the three types of abuse, the course teaches the importance of screening and assessing all patients for abuse, and if abuse is suspected or disclosed, basic documentation techniques.

“Screening is so important because research shows that when patients are asked about abuse, reporting increases exponentially. This continuing education program is an effective way to teach a large number of professionals what to look for and how to help victims,” said Coalition President Karen S. Days.

“We are really breaking new ground with this interactive continuing education seminar. Others offer text-only courses. However, we know that information is retained better when it is presented in an interactive format and is then applied,” said Coalition Board Member and Health Care Task Force Chair Dr. Olivia Thomas, Chief of Ambulatory Services at Columbus Children’s Hospital.

Six contact hours are being offered for registered nurses by Columbus State Community College, Nursing and Related Services (OH-180), an approved provider of continuing education by the Ohio Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (OBN-001-91).

Additionally, Columbus State is offering CEU credits for the International Associations of Continuing Education Credits, the American Academy of Family Physicians and Ohio-based social workers, counselors and marriage and family therapists.

The fee for the course is $25.

The Coalition focuses its work on five touch points - where the victim and societal institutions intersect - with task forces working to create systemic change. These task forces are: Business Community/Public Education, Faith Community, Health Care, Legal System and Victim Services.

Founded in 1998, The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence is comprised of leaders from businesses and organizations in Central Ohio committed to reforming our systems to stop the cycle of violence in our community. To learn more, go to www.thecolumbuscoalition.org.