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The Universal Response to Domestic
Violence Project seeks to develop and maintain a coordinatedresponse to
domestic violence through collaboration, problem solving and partnership
between a variety of agencies in Dutchess County. The Project’s Steering Committee consists of representatives
from the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Office of
Probation and Community Corrections, Department of Social Services, Family
Court, City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, Town of Poughkeepsie Police
Department, City of Beacon Police Department, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office,
New York State Police, Grace Smith House, Family Services Inc’s Domestic
Violence Services, Family Services Inc’s Domestic Abuse Awareness Classes, House
of Hope, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Office of Mental Hygiene, and Legal
Services. The Universal Response to
Domestic Violence Project employs a Project Coordinator who is the liaison
between the various agencies and systems that deal with domestic violence to
facilitate collaboration. This
innovative project was created in 1994.
Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART)
Domestic Abuse Response Team is a collaborative model project with Domestic Violence Services, Law Enforcement and the Dutchess County District Attorneys office to provide direct advocacy and services to victims of domestic violence within the criminal justice system. It is part of the Universal Domestic Violence Coordinated Response.
There are three DART jurisdictions in Dutchess County; City of Poughkeepsie, Town of Poughkeepsie and the City of Beacon.
Each team works together to increase victim’s safety and offender accountability and address gaps in the system. The teams are dedicated to providing comprehensive direct services to victims of domestic violence throughout Dutchess County. Members of the team include, City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, City of Beacon Police Department, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s office, Department of Probation and Community Corrections, Family Services, and other service providers based upon need.
High Risk Case Management
The High Risk Case
Management Project provides comprehensive case management to victims of
domestic violence that are identified to be in a highly lethal situation. Victims
are screened using research based lethality assessments and referred to the
case management project based on the outcome. Any community agency can refer a
victim to the project. Comprehensive case management includes frequent safety
planning, counseling, and advocacy. The project also identifies system gaps and
reports to the High Risk Team. The High Risk Team is a multi-disciplinary team
that addresses highly lethal cases of domestic violence in Dutchess County with the goal of improving victim safety, offender accountability, and
system response.
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