Domestic Abuse Project Inc

Domestic Abuse Project (DAP) offers holistic, trauma-informed care for every member of the family impacted by domestic violence. Our five pillars address crisis resources, safety and stability, healing and learning tools for change, and violence prevention, with the goal of interrupting the intergenerational cycle of abuse. In FY25, DAP served 2282 community members, deepening our impact through expanded service delivery, increased community presence, and strengthened partnerships. We collaborate with systems partners and communities to provide responsive, accessible services to those affected by domestic and intimate partner violence. DAP's program areas include Youth and Early Childhood, Victim/Survivors, Intervention and Prevention, Case Management, First Call, and Community and Systems Change Work(See schedule O):Youth and Early Childhood ProgramsThe Youth and Early Childhood Program offers free therapeutic services to children and youth seeking to heal from the effects of domestic violence. Programming for ages birth-4 includes group therapy, individual therapy, and parent-child dyadic therapy. In FY25, DAP reintroduced its Youth Group for children ages 7-12 and their caregivers, with closed 10-week groups running three times a year, and expanded outreach via social media, youth-led activities, and workshops at community conferences. Clinicians presented at the Minnesota Children and Adolescent Mental Health Conference and were sought out by DHS for guardian ad litem trainings, highlighting the impact of DV on children and best practices for supporting families. The program reported high completion rates as well notable reductions in mental health symptoms despite increased court involvement for youth in CPS. DAP also secured future funding for interns to support program growth in a time of staffing challenges due to limited funding and a shortage of paid internships. In FY25, DAP served 97 children/youth through counseling/support groups, as well as 305 through advocacy- 3 directly and 302 indirectly.Programs for Victim/SurvivorsThe Victim/Survivor Therapy Program is primarily group-based, supporting individuals to heal from the effects of abuse. FY25 enhancements included expanding group sizes to 15 participants, adding individual pre-group safety planning and closing reflection sessions, and integrating sound bath techniques for trauma recovery. The program launched new groups, including a partnership with a local youth shelter for survivors ages 18-24 and an after-care group for additional support post-program. DAP developed culturally specific curriculum in partnership with NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, increasing BIPOC survivor participation. Staff provided DV101 and healthy relationship trainings to medical professionals, doulas, and foster youth providers, and partnered with local colleges and community leaders to address DV in the African American community. The program's consistent service delivery, broadened engagement, and survivor-centered care led to positive outcomes and participant feedback. In FY25, DAP served 200 adult victims through counseling/support groups.Intervention and Prevention ProgramThe Intervention and Prevention Program is primarily group-based, serving adults and transitional age youth (TAY, ages 18-24) who have used abusive behavior. The program meets state requirements for batterers intervention programming and incorporates trauma theory and relational treatment techniques. Participants work to unpack belief systems, accept responsibility, and develop plans for healthy relationships, completing assignmentsand presentations as part of the process. In FY25, the program continued to provide psychoeducation on ending threats, assertive communication, and non-abusive anger expression. Individual therapy supplements group work as needed. DAP's restorative practices and community-based safety solutions prioritize healing and connection, especially for those avoiding system involvement. DAP has continued its partnership with the University of MN School of Social Work to complete a program evaluation research study and aid in increasing our programs effectiveness with individuals working towards nonviolence. In FY25, DAP served 351 clients through intervention and prevention programming.Case ManagementCase Management provides direct support for safety and stabilization outside of therapy or advocacy. Services include coordinated entry screening for housing, basic needs, mental health and medical referrals, and connections to community resources. The program's holistic, trauma-informed approach accommodates drop-in, intermediate, and long-term needs, with partnerships essential to success. In FY25, DAP's case management team addressed persistent housing barriers, especially for single adult survivors, and provided tailored support for homeless and at-risk individuals through ARPA-funded financial assistance. DAP served 446 families through our case management program.First CallFirst Call is DAP's primary point of entry, offering support to individuals seeking services, community members, family, and providers. Staffed by team members, interns, and volunteers, First Call provides safety planning, crisis management, resource referral, assessment, and enrollment in DAP programming. In FY25, the service expanded outreach, providing information and resources to broader audiences through community education, DV101s, and conference presentations. DAP's First Call team responded to 1533 crisis/hotline calls serving 1502 individuals and organizations.Community and Systems Change WorkDAP continues to coordinate the Minneapolis Domestic Violence Workgroup in partnership with county and city prosecution, probation, the Minneapolis Police Department, countyvictim services and community advocacy programs to address gaps in systemic responses to domestic violence victims. Our leadership team continues to sit on various state and county wide committees and workgroups to deepen our collective knowledge about domestic violence, assessing risk for victims, refining program standards, providing technical assistance to abuse prevention and intervention programs, improving access to housing and looking at gaps and solutions to accessing justice for domestic violence through our criminal justice system.

The Advocacy Program offers free, immediate assistance for victims and their families in times of crisis. Services include safety planning, writing Orders of Protection and Harassment Restraining Orders, lease terminations, Safe at Home screenings, CES assessments, assistance with Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) forms, and connection to shelter, legal, financial, and therapeutic resources. DAP continues to support victims in both intimate and non-intimate partner domestic violence situations, offering services virtually, in person, and via walk-ins. In FY25, DAP piloted a Legal Clinic to address gaps in community legal services, connecting participants with volunteer attorneys for informed decision-making. Advocacy staff provided on-site support at Little Earth three times per week, co-facilitated culturally responsive groups, and partnered with the ICWA Law Center to strengthen support for Native victim-survivors. DAP's quarterly DV101 trainings for Hennepin County's Continuum of Care, as well as for organizations like Connections to Independence and the Vikings corporation, increased community provider competency in trauma-informed care and housing transitions. DAP was ranked #1 of 47 organizations for future HUD funding in Hennepin County's CoC NOFA due to its culturally competent, victim-centered approach. In FY25, DAP's Advocacy Program served 480 individuals.