How Does Domestic Violence Affect the Vermont Workplace? A survey of male offenders enrolled in batterer intervention programs in Vermont

This report informs policy makers and employers about the way Vermont workplaces are affected by domestic violence. It provides important information to help employers make decisions about policy and procedural responses to employees involved in domestic violence.

The pervasiveness and severity of domestic violence perpetrated through workplace resources and work time and the impact of these actions on the workplace is not well known in Vermont or in the U.S. This study offers Vermonters valuable information on domestic violence and the workplace and adds to this growing body of knowledge. The study findings come from a representative sample of men enrolled in batterer intervention programs in Vermont who have abused their intimate partners (95%, +/-4.5%). We focused on domestic violence perpetrated by men against their female intimate partners because the Vermont Criminal Information Center (2009) reported that women are the victim of men in 80% of domestic violence cases. The Vermont Council on Domestic Violence partnered with the Center for Rural Studies at the University of Vermont and Spectrum Youth and Family Services’ Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs to combine our topical and research expertise to design and implement this study. This study examined the impact of domestic violence on the perpetrator and victim’s workplace, including abusive contact at the workplace, paid and unpaid time taken off from work, and productivity and safety. We also examined the workplace response to domestic violence from supervisors, co-workers, and policies and procedures. In addition, offenders’ gave their perspective on useful measures employers can implement to improve the workplace response to domestic violence.

For more information about this study or to request additional copies of this report, please contact Michele Cranwell Schmidt, Evaluation Coordinator, at mschmidt@uvm.edu, call (802) 656-0256 or visit www.uvm.edu/crs/.

Local Agriculture Community Exchange (LACE) Final Evaluation Report: 2007-2010

The evaluation of the LACE project focused on both process and outcome strategies; evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the program's development and interventions, such as improvements to the LACE space and the presence of CVCAC staff on-site at the LACE location to provide services for entrepreneurs. The evaluation also examines strategies to recruit and retain vendors, the quality of technical assistance provided, and client outcomes such as increased sales, earned income, and job creation. These outcomes were anticipated to result from connecting local producers and entrepreneurs to a viable market. The outcome evaluation provides an assessment of project results as measured by collected data that define the net effects of the interventions applied in the project. The outcome evaluation produces and interprets findings related to whether the interventions produced desirable changes and their potential for being replicated, answering the question of whether or not the program worked. The process evaluation component is an ongoing examination of the implementation of the LACE investment and project, including collaboration among project partners. The results of the process component were provided as a management tool to facilitate continuous project improvement. In documenting project development, the process evaluation also served to help staff identify challenges or barriers, strategies to resolve them, and provided recommendations for future implementation. The process and outcome evaluations utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods, such as telephone and intercept surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and review of database information.

For more information about this study or to request additional copies of this report, please contact Michele Cranwell Schmidt, Evaluation Coordinator, at mschmidt@uvm.edu, call (802) 656-0256 or visit www.uvm.edu/crs/.

LACE: Local Agricultural Community Exchange - FYII

I am currently conducting a 3-year evaluation of process and outcome measures to determine best practices, the impact of services, and the development of a replicable model for the Local Agriculture Community Exchange (LACE) project: A community revitalization project, for the three year grant period. This evaluation report presents the findings of data collected during the first two fiscal years, from October 1, 2007 to September 31, 2009. For more information about this study or to request additional copies of this report, please contact Michele Cranwell Schmidt, Evaluation Coordinator, at mschmidt@uvm.edu, call (802) 656-0256 or visit www.uvm.edu/crs/.

LACE, a non-profit organization located in Barre, Vermont, is a community revitalization initiative with a multi-faceted approach centralized around the renovation of a previously vacant storefront located in an economically distressed downtown community. This innovative and comprehensive project is carried out by the public-private partnership of LACE, which includes the artisan Gallery and commercially licensed shared-use community kitchen facility, Central Vermont Community Action Council (CVCAC), a nonprofit community action agency that provides poverty alleviation programs and services in central Vermont, and a private business enterprise, the Farm Fresh Market and Café.

The evaluation of the LACE project focuses on both process and outcome strategies. The overall evaluation focuses on the effectiveness and efficiency of the program's development and interventions, such as improvements to the LACE space and the presence of CVCAC staff on- site at the LACE location to provide services for entrepreneurs. The evaluation also examines strategies to recruit and retain vendors, quality of technical assistance provided, and client outcomes such as increased sales, earned income, and job creation. These outcomes are anticipated to result from connecting local producers and entrepreneurs to a viable market.

The outcome evaluation provides an assessment of project results as measured by collected data that define the net effects of the interventions applied in the project. The outcome evaluation will produce and interpret findings related to whether the interventions produced desirable changes and their potential for being replicated, answering the question of whether or not the program worked.

The process evaluation component is an ongoing examination of the implementation of the LACE investment and project, including collaboration among project partners. The results of the process component are intended to be a management tool to facilitate continuous project improvement. In documenting project development, the process evaluation also serves to help staff identify challenges or barriers, strategies to resolve them and provide recommendations for future implementation. The process and outcome evaluations will utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods, such as telephone and intercept surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and review of database information.

The poor pay more? Now they don't even have a store to choose from: Bringing a supermarket back to the city.