Family Preservation Project

In 2001, Hamdard Center received a major grant from the Department of Children and Family services for a demonstration project for family preservation focusing on South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Bosnian Families. In 2003, based on positive initial outcome, this grant was renewed and expanded.

Project Focus Included:

• Violence Prevention
• Stabilization of High Risk Families
• Parenting Skills Training
• Supportive Counseling
• Referral and Linkage
• Mentoring and Support to Mothers
• Home based & community based outreach programs for hard to reach families
• Community Education
• Community organizing through social events to engage & identify high risk families
• Expanded collaboration with all available community resouces
• Alternative to violence - Nonviolent conflict resolution for children

Hamdard Center has implemented this program in July of 2000. This is a specialized service catering to minority males, especially the immigrant male population from the South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Bosnian communities who have committed acts of violence (domestic violence) against their spouses/partners. The program is staffed by professionals trained in the area of domestic violence. These professionals are culturally sensitive to the needs of the target community.

The goal of this program is to help these individuals to recognize, understand, and ultimately change their abusive behavior. Working toward that goal, the men participate in a psycho-educational program which meets for two (2) hour sessions over a twenty four week period. Topics dealing with non-violent interactions are discussed, and homework assignments are given. The program is based on the internationally recognized Duluth Domestic Intervention Project Model.

Program Referrals
Clients are either court referred or self referred. In eiither case, participants must ve evaluated by the trained Hamdard staff to determine if they are appropriate candidates for the Family Violence Intervention Program.

Education Curriculum
All prospective candidates undergo an initial assessment for suitability into the program. Those selected will be required to sign a contract agreeing to attend prescribed number of sessions, and abide by the rules and spirit of the program. A release form is also signed allowing information to be shared with the courts and their spouses/partners. Some of the topics discussed in sessions include:

		Non-violence, non-threatening behavior
		Respect, support and trust
		Honesty and accountability
		Sexual respect, partnership
		Negotiation and fairness

Cost of Program
Participants are expected to pay for the services rendered. However, in an effort to make sure as many participants as possible are included in the program, a sliding fee schedule will be implemented.

Outcome
It is our hope that men who participate in this program will take full responsibility for their behavior and embrace a more egalitarian approach in partnership, respect for the rights of women and develop skills for handling conflict in a non-violent manner.

Hamdard Center is dedicated to the challenge of assisting men in putting their lives back in order.