Using Technology and Social Innovation to Stop Domestic Abuse

Mary Serie

What would it take to create real systems-change in providing support to victims of domestic violence, elder abuse or homelessness? SEA member National Day One^®, LLC offers a unique business model to help cities, counties and states create a robust network of support for domestic violence victims. They’ve created a database that allows shelters to update all available beds in real time. 

Operating as a separate entity wholly owned by Cornerstone, a non-profit based in Minnesota whose mission is to prevent domestic abuse, National Day One^® seeks to make systems work for victims of domestic abuse. Just what should a working system look like? Ideally, it’s a system where a victim of domestic abuse makes a call to a crisis line, gets an immediate response that then points them to an available shelter using a database of available beds updated in real time. It’s a system where all stakeholders work together to make timely and accurate referrals to the programs and services that victims need. Access to this information could make all the difference in saving victims’ lives. National Day One^® wants to work with cities, states and counties to create working systems in which no call for help goes unanswered. And they do that through a model that hinges on 3 core components:



Colleen Schmitt

Relationships
A working system of support relies on trusting relationships in order to create seamless and responsive referral systems.  The client needs a sense of trust that the provider will assist her/him and when they cannot, they will have the ability to provide the right referral. “Creating effective social service referral networks is our number one priority,” says Colleen Schmitt, National Day One^® Vice President.

Technology

A strong network of support requires a database that can give first-responders the information they need to connect victims to emergency services. National Day One’s model offers a web based database that is updated by service providers in real time. The database also connects victims to non-emergency services such as counseling and legal advice as well as community-based programs.


Best Practices

The model is one that is best utilized by cities, counties, states or partnership networks, rather than single organizations.  Strong, trusting relationships between service providers result in the ability to develop best practices, which streamline the process of supporting and connecting clients to services within the network. National Day One^® works with service providers in developing practices that are client focused and work within the entities’ standards.

Already functioning in Minnesota since 1995 as Day One, the model is highly successful statewide and was named by Senator Wellstone ('00) as "the model for the nation." National Day One LLC was set up to expand and implement the model nationally. "The Day One model creates such needed efficiencies that it should be implemented across cities/counties and within states," urges Mary, National Day One^® President.

When cities, states, counties or partnership networks purchase the Day One^® model they are provided with a robust (web-based) database system, support and training, and consulting from National Day One LLC. While the model has been successful in providing support for victims of domestic abuse, it can be applied to other contexts such as availability of bed space in nursing homes, homeless shelters or foster care placement.

National Day One^® is open and willing to work with you to create systems change in your city, state or county. As an SEA member, National Day One^® would also like to reach out to experts in marketing and software development.


For more information about implementing the Day One^® model, or to connect National Day One^® with marketing and technology experts, please contact Mary Serie or directly call Colleen Schmitt at 952-646-6545.