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 2,349 community members in FY22. 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.Youth and Early Childhood ProgramsThe 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. We also provide Intervention and Prevention services to transitional age youth (TAY) ages 18-24 who have used violence in their relationships. In FY22 DAP served 67 participants.Programs for Victim/SurvivorsThe 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. In FY22 DAP served 111 clients through our survivor therapy programs.Intervention and Prevention ProgramThe Intervention and Prevention Program 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 24 sessions long and combines cognitive behavioral therapy based psychoeducation with relational, trauma informed, and attachment based therapeutic processes. Some of the psychoeducation topics covered include: ending threats and controlling behavior, assertive communication, expressing anger non-abusively, and managing stress. People in group also complete and present a Self-Control Plan, Taking Responsibility for Abusive Behavior reflection assignment and Maintenance Plan to remain non-violent in order to complete the program. 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. In FY22 DAP served 124 clients through our intervention and prevention program.

Case Management 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. By using a holistic approach this service accommodates drop-in, intermediate, and long-term case management needs. The delivery of support services includes: coordinated entry screening for housing, basic needs, mental health and medical health referrals, and other referrals to community resources for individuals. Case management services are client-centered, trauma-informed and are provided for the purpose of facilitating access to, coordinating, and ensuring holistic care. Developing partnerships in the community is essential to the success of the case management program. In FY22 DAP served 185 families through our case management programs.

Advocacy The Advocacy Program offers free, immediate assistance for victims and their families in times of crisis. This includes providing direct services and connecting clients to community referrals such as shelter, legal resources, financial support, therapy and/or case management. Our primary services include extensive safety planning, writing Orders of Protection, attending criminal court arraignments and requested court hearings, assisting with Minnesota Family Investment Program forms, breaking of leases, lock changes, and Safe at Home screenings. In FY22 DAP served 287 advocacy clients.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 FY22 DAP served 1,841 individuals and organizations through our First Call service.

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. In FY22 DAP served 111 clients through our survivor therapy programs.

The Intervention and Prevention Program 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 24 sessions long and combines cognitive behavioral therapy based psychoeducation with relational, trauma informed, and attachment based therapeutic processes. Some of the psychoeducation topics covered include: ending threats and controlling behavior, assertive communication, expressing anger non-abusively, and managing stress. People in group also complete and present a Self-Control Plan, Taking Responsibility for Abusive Behavior reflection assignment and Maintenance Plan to remain non-violent in order to complete the program. 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. In FY22 DAP served 124 clients through our intervention and prevention program.

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. By using a holistic approach this service accommodates drop-in, intermediate, and long-term case management needs. The delivery of support services includes: coordinated entry screening for housing, basic needs, mental health and medical health referrals, and other referrals to community resources for individuals. Case management services are client-centered, trauma-informed and are provided for the purpose of facilitating access to, coordinating, and ensuring holistic care. Developing partnerships in the community is essential to the success of the case management program. In FY22 DAP served 185 families through our case management programs.

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 FY22 DAP served 1,841 individuals and organizations through our First Call service.