Offender Intervention Programs, Veterans, & Military Personnel

Treatment Goals

The goal of PTSD treatment is to quiet the PTSD symptoms and facilitate re-integration into the full

range of social experiences.

The goal of DV/IPV treatment is to stop all forms of abuse of intimate partners by holding the abuser responsible for the violence and accountable for

stopping the abusive behavior.

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Domestic Violence/BattererIntervention Programs (BIPs)

Most view IPV as a gendered crime

Single gender group programs are preferred

Men’s violence against women is culturally learned, socialized behavior, not a sickness within offenders

Most use cognitive behavioral approach

Most are not clinically-based

Most have a close relationship with victim advocates

Provide limited confidentiality due to accountability to the criminal justice system

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Program CharacteristicsLess effective for high risk offenders

Non-completion a strong indicator that abuse will continue

Characteristics associated with failure to complete

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• Being younger • Less education• Criminal histories/violence

in their family of origin• Unemployment

• Substance abuse problems • Having children • Lacking court sanctions for

noncompliance

B. Hart, A. Klein, Practical Implications of Current Intimate Partner Violence Research for Victim Advocates and Service Providers (2013)

Do they work?Participants completing at least 3-months of a program were 50% less likely to re-assault their partners in the 15-month follow-up compared to a comparable group who did not complete the program.

4-yr longitudinal follow-up evaluation shows a clear de-escalation of re-assault and other abuse over time, with the vast majority of men reaching sustained non-violence.

At 30 months, 80% of the men had not been violent to their partners in the previous year; At 48 months, 90% had not.

Gondolf, 2000; 2002; 2004

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BIPP in Texas:Understanding Services for Domestic

Violence Offenders

Maria Jose Angelelli, M.A.Roy Rios

Where I WorkMission

The Texas Council on Family Violence promotes safe and healthy relationships by supporting service providers, facilitating strategic prevention efforts, and creating opportunities for freedom from domestic violence.

Focused Teams

•Policy

•Prevention

•Supporting Service Providers

Describe the Importance of BIPP in 1-2 WordsText “TCFV” to 22333 Or

www.pollev.com/tcfv

Currently 174 accredited BIPP locations

26 funded/accredited BIPPs

Listed on TDCJ-CJAD’s website

Texas BIPPs 2017

https://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/divisions/cjad/cjad_bipp.html

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https://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/divisions/cjad/cjad_bipp.html

What governs BIPP in Texas?

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 42.141 Defines:

o Battering

o The duties of the division (TDCJ-CJAD)

o Requirement to contract with Statewide Nonprofit

o Courts making BIPP referrals must refer to an accredited BIPP

Accreditation

2007 - SB 44 requires accreditation process and referral to accredited BIPPs; Committee developed accreditation guidelines

2009 - Guidelines became effective

2014 - Guidelines updated

Accreditation Process

• Application

• Fees

• Policies/Requirements

Apply

• Desk review by CJAD

Probationary Accreditation • Can receive

referrals

Onsite Audit

• Full Accreditation to be renewed every 3 years

Audited every 2-3 years

TDCJ-CJAD BIPP Accreditation Guideline Requirements

✓ STAFF

✓ PROGRAM

✓ PROGRAM FORMAT

✓ FACILITATION

✓ CURRICULUM

TCIC & NCIC Background

Checks

40 Hours Initial Training

24-40 Hours of Staff

Development

Monthly Supervision

TDCJ-CJAD BIPP Accreditation GuidelinesSTAFF REQUIREMENTS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Victim Notification

Referral Source Notification

Individualized Plan

Separation of Victim/Participant

Information

TDCJ-CJAD BIPP Accreditation Guidelines

Gender Length of session Avoid collusion

Hold batterers accountable

Encourage positive

behavioral growth

Battering involves choices

Program Format & Facilitation Requirements

Observing BIPPs

TDCJ-CJAD BIPP Accreditation GuidelinesProgram Curriculum

Intervention model recognizes battering as the result of one person using tactics of emotional and physical abuse to maintain power and control over the other.

Use approaches that encourage positive behavioral change without shaming and approaches that create dialogue and do not solely lecture.

Guidelines Prohibit

Not BIPP

Anger Management

Techniques

Poor Impulse Control

Techniques

Couples Counseling

BIPP AuditingAccredited Programs:

•Probationary and Accredited programs once every 3 years

•Observe one group

•Review employee and offender files

Funded and Accredited Programs:

•Funded Accredited programs once every other year

•Observe up to 50% of groups

•Review employee and offender files

•Review Curriculum to match up with group session(s)

www.tdcj.state.tx.us/divisions/cjad/cjad_bipp

Don’t Work In Silos!Connecting CSCD Professionals and BIPP

Best Practices in Offender Accountability: Connecting CSCD Professionals and BIPP

•Strong relationships between BIPPs & Probation/Parole help ensure the needs of the community are being met

•Effective community coordination leads to INCREASED survivor safety and INCREASED offender accountability

Communication Requirements from BIPP to Referral Sources

Guidelines 5 and 19:

◦ Referral source notification upon entrance or exit

◦ Monthly communications from program

Monthly Communications:

◦ Attendance

◦ Level of Participation

◦ Level of accepting accountability

◦ Some reports may include fee balance

What do you need from the BIPP?

When do you need it?

Did you communicate your needs?

Best Practices in Offender Accountability: Connecting CSCD Professionals and BIPP

•Make sure the BIPP you are referring to:

• Can work with your population – For example, teens, LGBTQ, female offenders, low literacy, indigent, ESL, etc.?

• Will work with you to understand their curriculum.

• Adheres to the State’s BIPP Guidelines

•Referral sources or BIPPs can host trainings or networking meetings to increase coordination and ultimately offender accountability.

Veteran-Specific ProgramsCommon characteristics• Cognitive behavioral based• Trauma-informed, particularly regarding PTSD• Military/veteran culturally competent

Change Step (Domestic Abuse Project)• Minneapolis, MN and US Air Force Healthcare• 24 2-hr group sessions with individual case management• Psychoeducation and psychotherapy

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Veteran-Specific ProgramsFamily Recovery Program (San Diego Vet Center)• Based on the STOP Domestic Violence Model• 52 2-hour group sessions with concurrent individual therapy• Self management and relationship skills

Strength at Home – Men’s Program (Veterans Health Administration (VHA))• 17 VA Medical Centers and expanding• 12 2-hr group sessions• Psychoeducation, conflict management, coping strategies, and

communication skills

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Questions? Comments?

Contact me to continue the conversation:

Roy RiosRRios@tcfv.org | 512.685.6306

mailto:RRios@tcfv.org