The program ideas were organized to reflect the most promising activities in the area of health, social services, and cri minal justice that are already under way or under consideration in federal, state, and local governments. These principles should include such objectives as empower ing the client, building on family strengths, using research evaluations of program effectiveness in developing program design, and so forth. A system of universal screening for all new parents is needed to identify areas of family need and also provide voluntary home visitation services for families who would benefit from additional support in dealing with child behavior issues. Comprehensive intervention and prevention systems that can build on and strengthen formal and informal social networks in diverse neighborhoods are needed at the community level. School programs should include mandatory education for violence prevention.
Income supplements are an important means of deterring violence that results from economic stress.
New methods of cash payments for families with children should be explored to assist communities during periods of unemployment or economic change . There is tremendous interest in developing a comprehensive effort to document the extensive costs of injuries that result from family violence and to prevent the occurrence of such injuries. Such a campaign would include public examination of research on such issues as gun control, the use of corporal punishment , and violence in the media. The quality of screening and diagnosis of risks and injuries associated with family violence needs to be improved. An integrated approach to family violence needs to be promoted by building consensus about what is known regarding the nature of injuries and the health costs associated with spousal violence, child abuse, and abuse of the elderly and the overlap between different forms of family violence.