Pre-Trial Domestic Violence Abuser Intervention Project

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), furthers the Department's mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime. In fiscal year 2007, the Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program will focus on funding local, regional, and national efforts within six major categories: 1) targeting violent crime; 2) preventing crime and drug abuse; 3) enhancing local law enforcement; 4) enhancing local courts; 5) enhancing local corrections and offender reentry; and 6) facilitating justice information sharing. All categories combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime.

Montgomery County will use the award to expand and enhance intervention with domestic violence offenders awaiting trial on criminal charges. The Pre-Trial Domestic Violence Abuser Intervention Project will build on knowledge gained by national experience with drug and mental health courts. Key elements of the project design will include: 1) selection of participants; 2) psycho-social assessment; 3) victim contact; 4) monitoring and case management; 5) crisis and domestic violence counseling and education; and 6) improved system awareness. The project will be a partnership between the justice system and domestic violence human service agency with the Department of Health and Human Services as the lead agency.

CA/NCF