The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Domestic Violence Home Visit Intervention (DVHVI) program has been rated by the CEBC in the area of: Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence: Services for Women and their Children.

• Child Welfare Outcome: Child/Family Well-Being
• Type of Maltreatment: Exposure to Domestic Violence
• Target Population: Families with children from birth to 18 years old that have reported incidents of intimate partner violence (IPV) to police. Children need not have been physically present at the violent event, but there must be children living in the home for the family to be eligible for the service. All levels of violence are targeted, with specific interventions determined by the level of ongoing danger.

The DVHVI is a joint project of the Yale Child Study Center and the New Haven Police Department. The project provides enhanced law enforcement, community-based advocacy, and mental health services to families affected by domestic violence, in an effort to increase children’s safety and decrease negative psychological effects of exposure to domestic violence. The project conducts outreach home visits by teams of advocates and patrol officers. At the initial home visit, the team and non-offending parent identify issues affecting family safety. The team provides information related to judicial processes, available community resources, and children’s responses to violence and trauma. Ongoing intervention, including referrals for child-focused clinical treatment, is determined by the unique needs of each family.