PREPARED BY THE NEBRASKA TASK FORCE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THE BOOKLET IS DRAWN ON THE TASK FORCE'S EXPERIENCE IN CREATING LOCAL TASK FORCE GROUPS AND PROVIDING A COMMUNICATION NETWORK TO STRENGTHEN AND COORDINATE EFFORTS IN WORKING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS-IN RURAL AREAS. A GOOD WORKING GROUP IS THE FIRST GOAL. INITIALLY, WORD OF MOUTH AND ONE-TO-ONE CONTACTS ARE SUFFICIENT TO CREATE A CORE GROUP. ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS SHOULD EVENTUALLY BE ADDED. ORGANIZATION OF THE WORKING GROUP IS IMPORTANT AND THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF INITIAL CORE GROUPS--VOLUNTEER-BOARD, PROFESSIONAL TASK FORCE, ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF PROFESSIONALS, AND INTERAGENCY COUNCIL. OFFICERS, AGENDAS, REGULAR MEETINGS, MINUTES, AND BYLAWS ARE ALL USEFUL IN ASSIGNING TASK AND ESTABLISHING ACCOUNTABILITY. VOLUNTEERS NEED TO BE SCREENED AND TRAINED, AND PROJECT WORKERS SHOULD BE KEPT INFORMED, INSPIRED, AND INVOLVED. A COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT SHOULD BE MADE TO DEFINE THE SCOPE OF NEED FOR THE SERVICE AND TO IDENTIFY SERVICES ALREADY AVAILABLE, USING ONE-TO-ONE CONTACT FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES. SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR ASSESSMENT INCLUDE THE POLICE, SOCIAL SERVICES, SCHOOL COUNSELORS, HOSPITALS, COURTS, AND MINISTERS. A PLAN SHOULD SET OUT LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM GOALS, PRIORITIZE NEEDS, AND HAVE ON-GOING EVAULATION. A PROGRAM OF COMMUNITY EDUCATION SHOULD BE INSTITUTED TO RAISE PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS AND LOWER COMMUNITY TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENCE. COMMUNITY ENDORSEMENT IS CRUCIAL AS IT WILL HELP THE GROUP BECOME KNOWN AND ACCEPTED. SUPPORT OF THREE GROUPS IS ESSENTIAL: COMMUNITY LEADERS, EXISTING SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES, AND THE VICTIMS THEMSELVES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (MJW)