The Children's Aid Society

Family Wellness Program

Supporting Families Affected by Domestic Violence and Abuse
212.503.6842

The Family Wellness Program provides comprehensive services to parents and children who are affected by domestic violence or relationship abuse. Our goal is to help individuals and families that have experienced physical, emotional or other forms of abuse to establish long-term safety and heal from the effects of abuse. This goal is the same whether family members have chosen to separate or remain together. While we have a particular focus on supporting families involved in the child welfare system, we welcome any parent interested in developing healthier relationships for the sake of themselves, their children and their families.

Assessment, Individual and Family Therapy
We begin all services with a thorough assessment that helps determine the best approach to working with each individual or family. Our counselors work with clients to identify and prioritize their needs, and determine how the Family Wellness Program can best assist them and other family members. Mental health counselors provide short-term crisis intervention as well as ongoing individual therapy for survivors of domestic violence and their children, together or separately. While women and children are most often the ones injured by domestic violence, we recognize that women can be abusive and men can be victims of abuse. People in these situations, as well as those in abusive same-sex relationships, face additional barriers to getting help. We welcome these clients and work with them individually to determine what services best meet their needs.

Advocacy Services
Many families come to us in crisis with an array of immediate needs such as safe housing, food and clothing. Through generous private donations we are able to provide emergency assistance to meet some of these needs. When clients have suffered loss or injury as the result of a crime, our counselors can assist them in filing an application for compensation through the New York State Crime Victims’ Board. Our counselors are specially trained to assist clients in obtaining orders of protection and negotiating the legal, public benefits and child welfare systems. In addition, the Children’s Aid Society’s Office of Public Policy and Client Advocacy is available to provide legal expertise, support and referrals for direct representation.

Women’s Groups
Our Women’s Groups provide support and education for mothers coping with current or past abuse. While no two relationships are the same, women often find it is helpful to talk with other women who have had similar experiences with physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse. Counselors provide information about the dynamics of abuse in order to help group members recognize the warning signs of violence and plan ways to keep themselves and their children safe.

Men’s Group
Our Group for Men Working to be Non-Abusive is for fathers who have used physical, emotional, sexual or financial tactics to control or hurt their intimate partners, but who are ready to take responsibility for their behavior and make changes. Men learn about the dynamics of intimate partner abuse, the effects of witnessing violence on children, and how to recognize physical and emotional cues to violence and interrupt their own cycles of abuse. Group members are challenged to develop healthier relationship patterns and commit to non-abusive, responsible parenting behavior.

Teens Against Relationship Abuse (T.A.R.A.)
T.A.R.A. is a program component designed to engage teenaged males and females in a process of exploring their own attitudes, values and beliefs about intimate relationships. For teens that have witnessed abuse at home or experienced abuse in their own dating relationships, group and individual counseling is provided by counselors specializing in working with adolescents. Educational groups are offered for teens who have not necessarily experienced abuse in their own lives, but who want to learn about and help put an end to relationship abuse.

Children’s Groups
Children who have been exposed to violence in their homes are affected by the experience in a variety of ways. The goal of the children’s groups is to help children heal by letting them know that the abuse is not their fault and teaching them healthy coping skills. Group facilitators lead exercises to help children identify and process their feelings, and learn to stay safe if violence occurs in their homes in the future.

Parent Support & Education
Parenting support is incorporated into all aspects of the Family Wellness Program. Our Parent Education group is designed to focus parents’ attention on understanding the effects of domestic violence on children emotionally, behaviorally and cognitively. Parents explore ways in which their own experience with domestic violence has impacted their parenting behavior and their relationships with their children, and how they can support their children’s healing.

Facts about Domestic Violence and Abuse

• Domestic Violence or Relationship Abuse can be physical, emotional, verbal, sexual or financial.
• It can take place between married or unmarried intimate partners, former partners or family members.
• No one deserves to be abused, and no one has the right to abuse another person.
• Children who live in homes where a parent is being abused can be affected emotionally, physically, behaviorally and cognitively, even if the child is not being abused him or herself.
• There is help for people who have been abused, people who have been abusive, and children who have witnessed abuse. Call the Family Wellness Program at 212.503.6842.

New York City’s 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline:
1.800.621.HOPE (4673)

More Information
Services are offered in English and Spanish at no charge, at Children’s Aid Society locations in the Bronx and Manhattan. Childcare is available during some group sessions.
Please call the number below for more information.

Contact Us
Family Wellness Program
Phone: 212.503.6842
Fax: 212.972.7790
www.childrensaidsociety.org/familywellness