RFP for Domestic Violence Abuse Intervention Program Grant

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families seeks proposals for domestic violence intervention services in Monmouth and Ocean counties. The program will utilize Risk, Needs, Responsivity (RNR) principles to tailor services for participants, assessing their risk levels and providing individualized treatment. Goals include reducing violent behaviors and enhancing survivor safety through collaboration with stakeholders. The initiative emphasizes ongoing evaluation and the use of Motivational Interviewing techniques to foster participant engagement and address treatment challenges.

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) Division on Women (DOW) announces its intent to award up to two (2) contracts for the provision of domestic violence abuse intervention services to reduce and prevent domestic violence by awarding one contract in each of the following counties: Monmouth and Ocean. Respondents may submit responses for both counties but must submit a separate application for each.
The Domestic Violence Abuse Intervention Program (DV AIP) will shift from a timedriven, one-size-fits-all model by employing the Risk, Needs, Responsivity (RNR) principles to provide individualized evaluation, assessment, and treatment to participants. Adherence to the RNR principles has been shown to be effective in reducing general offender recidivism and has been adapted for the domestic violence offender population in many states and jurisdictions, most notably in Colorado and Washington
The RNR principles state the following:
Risk: Services shall align with the offenders’ risk level, based on valid risk assessments. Low-risk offenders shall not be served in the same group as high-risk offenders.Need: Services shall focus on the needs of the participant.Responsivity: Services are responsive to the participants’ strengths, culture, learning style, and personality, and reduce barriers to full participation.
Program participants will be assessed and assigned a risk level (high, moderate, low). Dependent on risk level, participants will receive group and/or individual services that align with their individualized Treatment Plan with the primary goals of reducing violent behaviors, promoting survivor safety, and increasing accountability for program participants. Programs will be required to collaborate with key stakeholders, including survivor advocates and referring agencies, to convene a Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Team (MTT). The MTT will review risk level and progress on Treatment Plans every two (2) months. Discharge from the program will be based on the progress of the participants on their individualized Treatment Plan.
Throughout the duration of treatment, program staff will employ Motivational Interviewing techniques to further assess and promote readiness for change, and to address issues around treatment resistance and denial.