Background

Introduction: Authorized as the first Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence (Zero Tolerance) County in the State of California, Contra Costa County is successfully implementing a coordinated Systemic Approach Model to address the devastating impacts of domestic violence, family violence, and elder abuse.  Zero Tolerance’s approach is characterized by efficient system improvements; accountability for results; policy and practice changes; investment by stakeholders and outside funders; and expanded public/private partnerships.

Successful Results: Contra Costa County’s systemic response has undergone significant and wide-reaching changes since 2001.  Victim services are integrated across multiple disciplines. Public/private partnerships have resulted in new, successful strategies for addressing this widespread problem. After five years of Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence implementation, Contra Costa County has demonstrated its success by building capacity within the response system and improving the lives of children and families. Results to date include:

• Increased funding for a coordinated system and individual agencies;
  
• Increased accountability system-wide;
  
• Increased perpetrator accountability; and
  
• Increased protection for victims and children.

In summary, Zero Tolerance’s coordinated approach has built an effective foundation for sustainable
improvements over time. Coordination results include:

• Common vision and goals
  
• Increased efficiency
  
• Catalyst for multiple system improvements
  
• Increased partner agency willingness to work together
  
• Expanded public/private partnerships
  
• Ensured accountability among partners and to the public for results
  
• Continued political commitment and will
  
• Making domestic/family violence and elder abuse issues more visible to the government and
  community

County of Contra Costa Service Area: Bordering the San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County is 10 miles northeast of San Francisco.  With a population of just over one million (ninth most populous County in California) and an area of 733 square miles, Contra Costa County is home to both heavily urbanized areas and farmlands and a population that is both racially and socio-economically diverse.

The County’s three regions—Central, East, and West—range broadly in violence risk factors.  Many of these factors include poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, and exposure to other forms of violence in the community. Regionally, the three greatest high-risk cities are Richmond, Concord, and Antioch.  Domestic violence, family violence, and elder abuse are present in all County communities because they have no racial, socio-economic or geographic boundaries.

Original Needs for Coordination: In 1999, the multiple agencies (government, community service providers and twenty-one law enforcement jurisdictions) involved in the domestic violence system were not coordinated. Efforts to address domestic violence, while individually valuable, were fragmented. Indeed, the complexity of domestic violence and the diversity of approaches, policies and systems had led to single interventions, which were appropriate within each discipline, but had limited success. This often led to fragmented interventions with affected families.

Launching Zero Tolerance: Recognizing the need for a different strategy, in February 2000 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors adopted a policy of “Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence” and directed the County Administrator to convene a meeting of leaders (County and community) responsible for domestic and family violence and elder abuse prevention, intervention, prosecution and remediation. In October 2000, over 50 local experts from across the County participated in a full-day “Zero Tolerance” workshop to identify and prioritize system improvements. The group identified strategic directions for the County’s domestic violence response system and made initial recommendations for implementation. The top two priorities cited by participants were: coordinating domestic and family violence and elder abuse intervention; and establishing multidisciplinary teams to monitor perpetrators and serve victims and their families.

VISION AND LEADERSHIP:
In 2001, Senator Torlakson authored SB 425, which declared Contra Costa County the first “Zero
Tolerance for Domestic Violence” County in the State of California.  It authorized a pilot program in the County to facilitate governmental oversight and coordination of domestic violence, family violence and elder abuse prevention, intervention, and prosecution. The funding provided was a modest increase in marriage license fees and certified copies of marriage and birth certificates and death and fetal death records. This bill has been replaced in 2006 with SB 968, which establishes indefinite funding for continued governmental oversight and coordination of violence prevention, intervention, and prosecution.

Recognition: The leadership and vision that created Zero Tolerance has been acknowledged by:

• National Association of Counties 2002 Achievement Award winner
  
• Featured in the California Attorney General’s publication “Safe from the Start, Promising
  Strategies and Programs Resource Guide”
  
• Invited to present at American Public Health Association Annual Meeting in 2005

ZT Historical Graphic