When victims of domestic violence in Greater Cleveland seek help, they often are sent from pillar to post: to the police station, to court, to housing services, to counseling and more. And all while trying to recover from a brutal beating, with upset and confused children in tow.

Cleveland Municipal Judge Ronald Adrine, long familiar with the routine, hopes Cuyahoga County can put a myriad of services under one roof to provide seamless care to abused women and men in warm, comfortable surroundings. And he hopes to duplicate the effort in several communities, so as to provide good coverage around the county.

Last week, Adrine brought in Casey Gwinn, president of the national Family Justice Centers Alliance, to brainstorm with nearly 100 Cleveland-area social-service providers, judges, law enforcement officials and foundation officials about the program.

Cleveland would have plenty of mentors. More than 50 cities have established family justice centers, including rural Defiance, Ohio, and Erie, Pa. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg credits his family justice centers with decreasing homicides among women dealing with domestic violence.

The U.S. Department of Justice, which embraced the concept under President George W. Bush, has given $20 million since 2003 to 15 communities for planning and establishing such centers. Government money could be a funding source for a center here as well.

Collaboration among organizations will be essential, said Linda Johanek, chief executive officer of the Domestic Violence Center of Greater Cleveland.

She's on point. Cuyahoga County's numerous police departments, local courts and agencies will have to work together and with survivors to create a number of centers custom-built for Greater Cleveland.

There's talk of a noncompete funding clause that would force the new center to rely on new sources of funding, which goes to show that old ways of thinking die hard. A more novel -- and admittedly controversial -- approach would encourage some agencies, especially those on the ropes during these hard times, to become a part of the new center.

If abuse survivors can take the brave step of starting a new and better life, surely local agencies can tear down their walls and create a better system to help them.

It's good to hear that they have started.