Appalachian Violence Outreach Network (AVON)

The Appalachian Violence Outreach Network (AVON) is a program that serves low-income women that have experienced domestic violence. The majority of women served by the program have low incomes and low educational attainment, and many live a long distance from the resources available in the community. Domestic violence and sexual assault are often underreported in rural areas and women are often unaware of the services available to them. The Kentucky River District Health Department provides wellness coordinators to link female patients who had been abused to community resources. The Kentucky State Department of Protection and Permanency, the social service agency that protects area women and children in abusive or neglectful situations, trains and assists the wellness coordinators. The project administers a screening tool with nine questions about stress, depression, eating problems, self-esteem, sexual abuse, and domestic violence to female patients at the health department. Clients who report any of these problems are referred to a wellness coordinator, who provids information, support, and assistance to meet the client’s needs. Clients participate in a series of eight workshops focusing on stress, depression, food and mood, relaxation, exercise, safety nets, positive parenting, and how to make health-positive life changes. In addition, psychologists provide intensive psychotherapy for those who need it. The project has established resource centers at each of the health departments that provide information on interpersonal violence.
The project also sponsors conferences on interpersonal violence, attended by clerical staff, social workers, nurses, doctors, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, health department staff, clinicians, psychologists, and the general public.

The goal of the Appalachian Violence Outreach Network is to identify and provide services to women living in rural, underserved areas that have experienced interpersonal violence.

The project succeeded in establishing resource centers in each of the four health departments. The screening tool has been shared with local health care providers to identify women needing more intensive or specialized services. More than 1,200 women made one-time visits to the health departments, and 319 received follow-up services. More than 60 women received one-time psychotherapy, and 54 received followup counseling. More than 150 have women participated in at least one wellness workshop.