Children's Aid Expands Its Domestic Violence Services

July 23, 2009

Hundreds of families will have access to domestic violence support services in Washington Heights, East Harlem and Central Harlem as The Children’s Aid Society expands its innovative Family Wellness Program to these neighborhoods. Through a new grant from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, Children’s Aid is placing a full-time case planner in each of these communities, as well as maintaining its existing Family Wellness program in the Bronx. All services are provided free-of-charge to families.

The Children’s Aid Society’s Family Wellness Program addresses domestic violence from the perspective of the entire family, providing intensive individual, family and group counseling. Separate men’s groups are also available for those who have used abusive behavior in intimate relationships. The new case planners in Washington Heights, East and Central Harlem will provide crisis intervention, safety planning and case management to families with current or past domestic violence. The Family Wellness Program helps families obtain the benefits and services, including public assistance, orders of protection, housing and shelter, needed to achieve safety, stability and peace of mind.