Domestic Abuse Project

Domestic Abuse Project (DAP) offers holistic, trauma informed care for every member of the family impacted by domestic violence. We focus on five pillars that address crisis resources, safety and stability, healing and learning tools for change, and violence prevention with the goal to interrupt the intergenerational cycle of abuse, serving 2,414 community members in FY24. To achieve our mission, we collaborate with systems partners and communities to provide access to services and responsiveness to the changing needs of our communities affected by domestic and intimate partner violence. DAP's therapeutic program areas include: Youth, Victims/Survivors, Intervention and Prevention, and First Call (see Schedule O).Youth and Early Childhood Programs The Youth and Early Childhood Program offers free therapeutic services to children who are seeking to heal from the effects of domestic violence. Our youth programming serves ages birth-24-years and consists of group therapy, individual therapy, and parent-child dyadic early childhood therapy. Through all our youth programs it is our priority that children learn that abuse is not their fault, they are not alone in their experiences, and they begin to find healing through supportive and caring relationships. Additionally, we have built relationships through training, referrals, consultation and collaborative partnerships with Anoka Hennepin Alternative School, Avenues for Homeless Youth, Ramsey and Hennepin County Child Protection Services, and North Point Health and Wellness Center. In FY24 DAP served 74 participants. Programs for Victim/Survivors The Victim/Survivor Therapy Program is primarily a group-based intervention with the goal of supporting individuals to heal from the effects of abuse. Healing includes breaking isolation, becoming aware of choices, learning and practicing ways to protect and care for oneself, understanding abuse is not their fault, and reclaiming one's sense of self. Groups are co-facilitated and provide an educational component and process/support. Individual therapy is offered to supplement or assist in the group process as our philosophy is that people best heal from the trauma associated with abuse in community with others. Additionally, we have built relationships through training, referrals, consultation and collaborative partnerships with Ramsey and Hennepin County Child Protection Services, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, North Memorial Emergency Room Social Workers, and the UMN School of Social Work. In FY24 DAP served 159 clients through our survivor therapy programs. Intervention and Prevention Program The Intervention and Prevention Program (IPP) is primarily a group-based intervention that serves adult individuals that use abusive behavior. The program meets State requirements for batterers intervention programs and incorporates trauma theory and relational treatment techniques in its work with people who have used abusive behavior in intimate partner relationships. Over the course of the program, individuals who have used abusive behaviors work to unpack core belief systems that influence abusive behaviors, accept responsibility for their actions and give presentations to their peer group on their plan for building and maintaining equal and interdependent relationships. The program is a minimum of 22 sessions long and combines cognitive behavioral therapy-based psychoeducation with relational, trauma informed, and attachment based therapeutic processes. Individual therapy is offered to supplement or assist in the process of group or once the individual has completed their group process and could be supported by ongoing individual programming. We also provide Intervention and Prevention services to transitional age youth (TAY) ages 18-24 who have used violence in their relationships. Additionally, we have built relationships through training, referrals, consultation, committee work, and collaborative partnerships with North Point Health and Wellness, Domestic Abuse Service Center, Hennepin County Probation, People Who Work with People Who Batter, Domestic Violence Steering Committee (DOCCR), Batterers Intervention Prevention Network and AQUILA. In FY24 DAP served 206 clients through our intervention and prevention program. First Call First Call is a direct service that is provided to individuals in need of support, individuals who are interested in accessing services at DAP, community members, family members and community providers. This is our first point of entry into services at DAP and is staffed by team members, interns and volunteers. The delivery of support services includes safety planning, crisis management, resource referral, assessment and enrollment in DAP programming and providing support and consultation to community members, family members and community providers who are working with families impacted by domestic violence. In FY24, DAP served 954 individuals and organizations through our First Call service. 400 callers were given information, safety planning, and referrals to appropriate resources and program. The other 554 engaged in services with us. Systems Change & Macro Level Community WorkDAP has historically engaged in systems change work through participating on various city, county, state and national committees focused on better serving families and addressing the issue of domestic violence. This year, DAP brought on a systems advocate and coordinator to facilitate an interdisciplinary group that focuses on partnering with other local organizations as well as city of Minneapolis attorneys, Hennepin county attorneys, probation, the Minneapolis Police Department, and other system partners to implement solutions within the Minneapolis Police Department that will address gaps identified by this workgroup to better serve victims of domestic violence in seeking safety and addressing harm. This group worked together to create a trauma informed and evidence-based risk assessment that officers can use to prioritize cases and better serve the community. In addition, various members of the DAP team are also involved in committees and work groups that focus on skill building and self reflection when working with individuals who use harm, advocating for increased awareness of the experiences of criminalized survivors, equitable sentencing guidelines for felony cases, building increased knowledge of effective DV interventions within various communities, improving access to justice for survivors within Hennepin County's judicial system, reducing homelessness among victims of domestic violence, and creating statewide guidelines for working with individuals that use harm.

Case Management is a direct service that is provided to clients in need of support outside of therapy or advocacy with the goals of safety and stabilization. Case management services are client-centered, trauma-informed and are provided for the purpose of facilitating access to, coordinating, and ensuring holistic care. By using a holistic approach this service accommodates drop-in, intermediate, and long-term case management needs. Support services include assessing and supporting basic needs, mental health and medical health referrals, and other referrals to community resources. Developing partnerships in the community is essential to the success of the case management program, which included 12 tabling events, 4 community DV101 trainings and 3 community service events supporting a variety of communities. Case Management's partnership with Hennepin County strengthens wrap around services to victims of domestic abuse by administering Coordinated Entry Assessments to gain access to housing referrals that increase safety for victims fleeing violence. In FY24 DAP served 328 clients/families through our case management programs.

The Advocacy Program provides free legal assistance, safety planning, and support addressing safety requirements, along with immediate aid for victims of domestic abuse and their families seeking refuge. This encompasses both the delivery of direct services and the facilitation of client referrals to community resources such as shelters, legal aid, financial assistance, therapy, and case management. Our direct services include comprehensive safety planning, the preparation of Orders of Protection, attendance at criminal court arraignments and requested hearings, assistance with Minnesota Family Investment Program applications, lease terminations, lock changes, and Safe at Home screenings. Additionally, we offer financial support to address safety needs, including the provision of security cameras, new doors, lock modifications, and other low-cost resources. The Advocacy Program is also piloting a free legal clinic, linking participants with volunteer attorneys for one hour of consultation. During this fiscal year, we identified and trained volunteers and established the necessary logistics to launch this program in October 2024. In FY24, the Domestic Advocacy Program served 309 advocacy clients.