The grants to support families in the justice system program (referred to as the justice for families program) was authorized in the violence against women reauthorization act of 2013 to improve the…

The grants to support families in the justice system program (referred to as the justice for families program) was authorized in the violence against women reauthorization act of 2013 to improve the response of the civil and criminal justice system to families with a history of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, or in cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse. The program supports the following activities for improving the capacity of courts and communities to respond to families affected by the targeted crimes: court-based and court-related programs; supervised visitation and safe exchange by and between parents; training for people who work with families in the court system; civil legal services; and the provision of resources in juvenile court matters. Projects supported by the justice for families program are those that focus on keeping victims and their children safe from further abuse and holding offenders accountable. Through this new justice for families project, the urban resource institute, in partnership with hopes door and the westchester county integrated domestic violence court, will implement a standard project addressing purpose area 5) court and court-based programs and services in westchester county, new york. The project will address priority area 3: underserved communities with targeted services for those with limited english proficiency or people with disabilities. Specific activities will include: 1) developing three 65-week abusive partner intervention program (APIP) groups to serve the following underserved populations spanish speakers, female-identified offenders, and participants with disabilities; 2) providing westchester courts with an additional sentencing option through a 26-week APIP for less severe offenders; and 3) formally implementing a risk assessment process within the westchester court system.