Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Domestic Violence Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Haven rolls out city-wide domestic violence campaign and public-health outreach
Summary
City human services and public health officials outlined a two-pronged domestic violence prevention and intervention campaign, new outreach partners, expanded data sharing with police and school-based prevention work, plus ongoing public-health initiatives including mosquito control, Narcan distribution, and grants oversight.
City human services and public health officials described a stepped-up domestic violence prevention and intervention campaign and several community health initiatives during the Health, Welfare and Safety committee presentation on June 9.
John Carano, West Haven commissioner of human services, said the campaign pairs prevention work in schools and community organizations with intervention services coordinated with the West Haven Police Department and partner providers. "The goal is to raise awareness about domestic violence, to help break the silence, reduce the stigma, and connect survivors to the support they need," Carano said.
The city announced a two-pronged approach: prevention through the schools and community outreach, and intervention through the police department, the family center and a network of victim service providers including BH Care's Umbrella Center and Bridges Healthcare. Officials said the campaign will bring speakers to schools, train peer advocates, and work with sports teams and community events to reach young people.
Sheila Carmen, director of public health, and Andressa Granado, community health coordinator, described complementary public-health work. Granado said the health department will administer public-health grants, collect and analyze disease and incident data, and deploy targeted programs such as Narcan distribution and an upcoming FDA food-safety training for local food establishments. Carmen described an expanded mosquito-control program intended to prevent West Nile virus that places sustained-release briquettes in municipal catch basins and distributes repellent to senior centers and other city departments.
Officials emphasized data sharing to improve responses. Carano and Police Chief Purnell said the department purchased analysis software (Power BI) that will allow permitted sharing of domestic disturbance call details; the health department will analyze trends to target outreach. Carano said in 2024 the city handled 924 domestic disturbance calls, 241 of which resulted in arrests.
The campaign includes printed mailings and a QR-linked landing page to reach victims discreetly; packets will be distributed to beauty salons, barbershops, day-care centers, places of worship, and community organizations. Officials said beauty parlors and barbers are often safe places where people confide in staff and will be invited to training by Family Center Services on spotting signs of abuse.
Committee members asked for contact lists and ongoing updates. Carano agreed to distribute names and roles of the domestic-violence team members to council members. Council members also urged outreach to mandated reporters and noted that many prevention and social-determinant programs intersect with domestic violence work.
During Q&A the committee also discussed syringe disposal and field cleanups after a public comment about needles near Quigley Stadium. Chief Purnell advised residents to call police and not to handle syringes; Andressa Granado said the health department partners with Yale Syringe Services and suggested permanent disposal boxes as a harm-reduction measure. The panel also mentioned a mobile shower program discussion to assist unsheltered residents.
No formal council action was required; council members praised the coordinated approach and asked for follow-up reports and outreach materials.
