FAMILY VIOLENCE EDUCATION
Tami Sullivan, Ph.D., Director

• Family Violence Education Program: Psychoeducational groups for court-mandated first offenders to learn how to prevent violence in their homes.

• EVOLVE Program: An intensive intervention for men with a history of domestic violence offenses.

• Adolescent Violence Prevention Program: Psychoeducational groups for adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system.

EVOLVE Program

The EVOLVE Program is an educational program designed to help men stop the use of violence against their female partners. Men may be ordered to attend either 52 or 104 sessions. Program referrals are accepted only from the judicial system; e.g., Judge or Probation Officer. The groups meet twice a week for 2 hours each class.  Two experienced professionals co-lead the classes. Class size is limited to 15 men. 

• Class fees are charged on a weekly basis.

• A Spanish-speaking class is available.

• A day class is offered.  

Program Goals

• Stopping Violence

• Ensuring Victim Safety

• Fostering Accountability

• Teaching Alternatives to Violence

Classes include skill-building components, small group discussions, role-plays, and educational videos. Topics include:

• Defining and recognizing violence and abuse

• Effects of violence on victim(s)

• Effects of violence on children

• Time-out as a technique to stop violence

• Power and control in relationships

• Nonviolence and equality in relationships

• Fatherhood and violence

• Sexuality and violence

• Managing feelings

• Communication and listening skills

Appropriate Referrals

The EVOLVE Program accepts only those men who have been ordered to attend by the court or probation.  All classes feature rolling admissions.

Once a referral is made to the EVOLVE Program, the man is contacted by program staff.  A date is scheduled for an intake interview, which is conducted at The Consultation Center.

The EVOLVE Program staff work closely with the judicial system including probation, the courts, and victim advocates to ensure that the victim is safe, and that participants comply with orders of the court.

Men referred to EVOLVE must have the ability  to actively participate in classes.

Individuals are not appropriate for EVOLVE if they are unable to participate in the group process due to:

• serious psychiatric disorder

• severe substance abuse problem(s)

• developmental or cognitive impairment or delay.

All participants of the EVOLVE Program will be monitored on an ongoing basis during the classes for further incidents of violence, compliance with class rules. and level of class participation.

Program participants can be dismissed from EVOLVE for missed sessions, uncooperative or disruptive behavior, failure to actively participate, class attendance under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or failure to pay program fees.

All violations of class rules will be reported to the court and/or probation officer and may result in violation of probation and possible incarceration.

Successful completion of the class requires:

• Stopping all violence and staying nonviolent throughout the course of the program

• Class participation

• Full compliance with all court and/or probation orders including substance abuse treatment as required

• Taking full responsibility for violent behavior

• Following a collaboratively developed responsibility plan

• A demonstrated commitment to remaining non-violent