Domestic Violence Program Manual

Bureau of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault & Human Trafficking
Domestic Violence Prevention/Intervention (DVPI) & Partner Abuse Intervention and Prevention (PAIP)

Please direct all program related information and questions to:

Teresa Tudor
Bureau of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking 
Office of Adult Services & Basic Supports
Division of Family and Community Services
Phone:  (217) 558-6192 
Fax: (217) 782-4890
Email: teresa.tudor@illinois.gov

  1. Introduction/Definition
    1. Intro Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention Program
    2. Intro Partner Abuse Intervention Program
  2. Policies & Procedures
  3. Deliverables/Payments
  4. Provider Responsibilities
    1. Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention Program
      1. Purpose
      2. Program Administration
      3. Service Requirements
    2. Partner Abuse Intervention Program
      1. Partner Abuse Intervention Program Purpose
      2. Partner Abuse Intervention Program Administration
    3. Service Delivery Model
      1. Services
  5. Department Responsibilities
  6. Support Services
  7. Billing Instructions and Match Requirements
  8. Program Monitoring
  9. Budget
  10. Applicable Rules and Statutes

I. Introduction/Definition

The Department's Domestic and Sexual violence efforts are dedicated to support a statewide trauma informed system for individuals and their significant others that are impacted by domestic and sexual violence. The Bureau of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault & Human Trafficking funds a service network which provides comprehensive, confidential, support in response to violence. Outreach, education, training, intervention and working in partnership with communities are a part of the statewide strategy to advance safety and hold abusers accountable.

  1. Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention Program

    • The Program supports Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention community-based providers which provide awareness and education about domestic violence, training to professionals and volunteers who deliver support to victims and directly provide victims and their vulnerable family members with quality comprehensive domestic violence services including emergency shelter, crisis, information regarding referrals and resources, counseling, advocacy, transportation and outreach.  Additionally, Specialized Legal Domestic Violence Services providers utilize attorneys, paralegals and other professionals to assist clients with navigating the legal system including, but not limited to, obtaining criminal or civil orders of protection, obtaining or defending divorce proceedings, and other child-related proceedings.

  2. Partner Abuse Intervention Program

    • The Department of Human Services funds partner abuse intervention programs across the state. These programs provide domestic violence perpetrator services such as assessment, group education, and case coordination with referral sources. Other supplemental services can include information and referral, and systems advocacy. These services help perpetrators accept responsibility, modify abusive attitudes and beliefs, and give them tools to become and remain, healthy, non-abusive partners and parents.

TOP

II. Policies & Procedures

Statutes/Rules

The Provider will provide the following services and agrees to act in accordance with all state and federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of services pursuant to the CSA Agreement and the Program Manual.

III. Deliverables/Payments

The Community Service Agreement details requirements for deliverables in Exhibit B and payments in Exhibit C.

IV. Provider Responsibilities

The Provider's Responsibilities are described in the Community Service Agreement in Exhibit B. In addition to those responsibilities, the Provider shall:

  • Ensure that criminal background and CANTS checks are performed on personnel providing direct services to children.
  • Ensure that all staff and volunteers report suspected abuse, neglect and maltreatment according to the Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA).
  • Ensure that all staff and volunteers report suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation of persons 60 and over and people with disabilities who are unable to report for themselves. The reports are required by the Adult Protective Services Act (320 ILCS 20/1 et. seq.).
  • Ensure representation at mandatory program meetings, management and program trainings convened by or in behalf of the Department. Providers will be notified of any such meetings and required staffing levels.
  • Providers must notify Bureau staff of changes in key personnel (Executive Director, Program Coordinator, Fiscal Director) within 7 days.
  • Obtain approval from the Department for all materials produced pursuant to this Agreement. If materials are produced by the Provider without prior approval by the Department, production costs may be disallowed.
  • Cooperate and participate in any research and survey efforts which have been approved by the Department. Cooperate and participate in the Departments' program evaluation and strategic plan initiatives. The Department agrees to consider requests for waiver or modifications of a research participation mandate from individual providers.

TOP

A. Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention Program

  1. Purpose

    1. Providers shall provide a safety net to assist victims and their children. The goals of services are to meet the immediate crisis and long-term needs of victims and their vulnerable family members and to prevent domestic violence.

  2. Program Administration

    • In administering the programs and activities, the Provider shall:
    1. Provide Domestic Violence Comprehensive Services to clients who are or have been victims of or threatened with domestic violence or abuse, whether physical, sexual, or emotional. Persons eligible as clients are adults and minors and their vulnerable family members. Eligibility for service is based on the victim's self-reported current needs and ability to benefit from such service.
    2. Comply with the confidentiality clause of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 (750 ILCS 60/227) and shall inform each victim of the victim's right to confidential communications with the Provider.
    3. Provide services in accordance with the Illinois Domestic Violence Service Guidelines Manual.
    4. Help each victim and vulnerable family member identify their immediate crisis and long term needs and develop an individualized service plan to meet the identified needs.
    5. Shall not charge victims, their children, or vulnerable family member's fees for comprehensive domestic violence services. The Provider shall make no direct payments to victims or their dependents.
    6. Shall not discriminate in the provision of services on the basis of age, race, creed, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, the county of origin, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, spoken language, disability, or religion. Additionally, provision of any type of services cannot be contingent upon participation in program activities or compliance with program rules or unless there is a safety reason for the rule

  3. Service Requirements

    • All Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention providers must:
    1. Address Emergency Shelter Needs
      • All comprehensive domestic violence prevention and intervention grantees must respond to the emergency shelter needs of victims and their families. An active connection to emergency shelter is required which may include, but not be limited to, admission to grantee's onsite shelter, calling a shelter program and coordinating admission and transportation to shelter, making hotel or community arrangements for safe shelter.
    2. Accessibility
      • Grantees funded as comprehensive domestic violence programs must have crisis hotlines, emergency services and on or off-site shelter  available shelter available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the contract period. All program sites must either be ADA compliant or have procedures in place to accommodate ADA clients at other locations.
    3. Staff and Volunteer Training
      • In order to comply with the confidentiality clause of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 (750 ILCS 60/227.), any person, employee or volunteer, who provides domestic violence services to victims either through face to face contact or via the crisis hotline must complete at a minimum 40 hours of training in domestic violence advocacy, crisis intervention and related areas. All Grantees will be required to keep on file documentation that appropriate staff and volunteers meet all training requirements. The Illinois Domestic Violence Act is available on the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence website at: https://www.ilcadv.org/. In addition, all supervisors, coordinators, directors and other program leaders are strongly encouraged to have Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (ICDVP) certification.
    4. Confidentiality Requirements
      • All information, records and documents concerning persons served must remain confidential and be protected by the Grantee from unauthorized disclosure. Except as required by state or federal law, regulation or order; Grantees must agree not to disclose any information concerning a client without the informed, written and reasonably time-limited consent of the client. Such information must be limited to that which is necessary for the proper delivery of services to the client under the terms of the contract. Grantees will be required to have in place and follow written policies and procedures on client confidentiality and the release of client information. More information on confidentiality requirements can be found in the Confidentiality chapter of the Illinois Domestic Violence Services Guidelines Manual
    5. Safety Requirements
      • Grantees will be required to assure the health and safety of clients during all stages of service delivery. The safety of victims and their children must be paramount when determining operational policies and procedures, client eligibility and admission to services. Programs are required to have in place and follow written security and safety procedures designed to protect clients and staff from perpetrators of abuse. Services must be provided in a secure environment, and Grantees that shelter clients on site are required to have staff present at the site whenever clients are present. Additional information on safety requirements can be found throughout the Illinois Domestic Violence Services Guidelines Manual on the ICADV website. All federal, state and local requirements related to health, safety and zoning must also be met.
    6. Monitoring, Training and Technical Assistance
      • Grantee must agree to participate in monitoring activities and receive consultation and technical assistance from the Department or its authorized representatives. Grantee staff will be required to be in attendance at site visits. Programs may be required to attend meetings and training as provided by the Department or a subcontractor of the Department
    7. Data Collection Requirements:
      1. Grantees will be required to document service delivery and maintain accurate and complete service records for each client. As directed by the Department, Grantees will be required to submit quarterly data by the 25th day following the close of the quarter and progress reports to the Department as requested. The InfoNet documentation system, operated by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, is the required documentation system for all domestic violence programs funded through the Department
      2. Documentation will include but not be limited to the determination of each client's eligibility, the types and amounts of services provided to each client, measurable outcome data, budget and expenditure reports, and year-end performance reports. Grantees may also be required to participate in other survey, research and program evaluation efforts approved by the Department. For more information on minimum requirements of documentation, please refer to the Documenting Services and Evaluation chapters of the Illinois Domestic Violence Services Guidelines Manual.
    8. Cultural and Linguistic Competency
      • All grantees must provide services in a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive manner. Grantees need to understand, acknowledge and respect the differences among victims of domestic violence in ethnicity, race, religion, age, gender, abilities, language and other characteristics, and provide services in a relevant, competent and appropriate manner in accordance with these differences. Programs should demonstrate an ability to adapt individual interventions, programs, and policies to fit the cultural context of the individual family or community. Grantees must have established partnerships with organizations that primarily serve underserved populations and have a written plan for referrals, coordinated or contracted services and confidentiality.
    9. Fees
      • Grantees or subcontractors may not charge fees to victims or significant others seeking services for domestic violence.

TOP

B.  Partner Abuse Intervention Program

  1. Purpose

    • Partner abuse intervention programs (PAIPs) work with perpetrators of domestic violence to assist them in recognizing and understanding attitudes and behaviors that lead to violence directed at their intimate partners. Within group settings, programs teach perpetrators skills that promote nonviolence and non-violent ways of communicating and facilitate personal accountability.

  2. Program Administration

    • In administering the programs and activities funded hereunder, the Provider will:
    1. Provide partner abuse intervention services to program clients who, because of their abuse of their intimate partners, have been convicted of crimes, those who could have been convicted had they been prosecuted, or those who could have been prosecuted had they been arrested. Program clients have been court-ordered or mandated by DCFS to attend a PAIP or have voluntarily chosen to attend.  Only the primary aggressor in an intimate partner relationship may be eligible for PAIP services.
    2. Comply with IL Admin Code 89, Section 501. The Provider must be approved by the Department as compliant and remain in good standing with requirements.
    3. Develop and maintain policies and procedures in all areas of IL Admin Code 89, Section.

TOP

C.  Service Delivery Model

The service delivery model reflects the safety of victims and children as programs' priority; respects the authority and autonomy of adult victims to direct their own lives; and holds perpetrators responsible for the abusive behavior and for stopping the abuse. Victim safety is paramount when determining operational policies and procedures. Program staff should work closely with domestic violence victim services programs to encourage victims to follow safety plans and seek assistance as often as it is necessary to keep their children and themselves safe to coordinate services, to promote public education, and to enhance program accountability for the safety of victims.

Providers are expected to work closely with the courts, law enforcement agencies, probation offices, children and family services and local family violence coordinating councils to promote abuser accountability. Efforts include reporting progress and recommendations on program participants as appropriate, conducting educational activities to build a better understanding of domestic violence and partner abuse intervention, and participating in strategies geared toward reducing intimate partner violence.

  1. Services

    • The provider shall provide a Partner Abuse Intervention Program as outlined below and defined in IL Admin Code 89, section 501. Services are to be available for the entire funding period.
    1. Conduct assessments to determine eligibility for and appropriateness of clients referred to the program. Assessments must include all required elements outlined in the Administrative Code.
    2. Facilitate PAIP groups for clients deemed appropriate through the assessment process.
    3. Educational content, format, structure, and staffing must adhere to the IL Admin 89, Section 501.
    4. Communicate and coordinate services with referral source. Provide written and verbal communication as appropriate to ensure abuser accountability and victim safety.
    5. Make referrals to appropriate services when client needs are identified beyond the scope of PAIP. Priority should be given to those client needs that potentially impact the effectiveness of participation in PAIP or jeopardize victim safety.

TOP

V. Department Responsibilities

The Department will respond to the needs of the Provider as required within the full scope of the Agreement.

VI. Support Services

Utilization of Community Resources

It shall be the responsibility of each project director to coordinate the services provided through the project with other sources of care in the community, such as:

  1. Illinois Department of Corrections Juvenile Division
  2. Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
  3. Local probation departments
  4. Local mental health agencies
  5. Local disability service providers
  6. Local schools
  7. Local substance abuse providers
  8. Other related social services agencies
  9. Local law enforcement agencies
  10. Domestic Violence services agencies
  11. Sexual Assault service agencies
  12. Partner Abuse Intervention Programs

TOP

VII. Billing Instructions and Match Requirements

Providers shall use the following methodology to document the use of these funds:

  1. The Provider shall provide summary documentation by line item of actual expenditures incurred for the purchase of goods and services necessary for conducting program activities. The Provider shall follow the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) {30 ILCS 708} and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
  2. Expenditures shall be recorded in the Provider's records in such a manner as to establish an audit trail for future verification of appropriate use of Agreement funds.
  3. Expenditure documentation shall be submitted, in a format defined by the Division of Family and Community Services, to the Department on a monthly basis, within 25 days after the end of each calendar month.
  4. All financial record keeping on the part of the Provider shall be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
  5. The Provider shall submit expenditure documentation via email to the following:

Provider Match Requirements

The Provider shall provide matching funds if receiving federal funds which require match. The match must be paid from unrestricted state, federal or private monies donated to the Provider and shall certify such matched funding to the Department as set forth below.  Funds designated by the Provider as match under this Agreement shall not be used to match other contracts or grants.

By accepting this grant and by executing this Agreement, the Provider hereby certifies that the required matching funds shall be secured and shall be made available for the support of the activities described herein.

TOP

VIII. Program Monitoring

The service Provider, sub awardees and fiscal agent will make available to the Secretary of the Department of Human Services or the Secretary's designee, access to data, records and all facilities in which service or administrative operations are performed to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

IX. Budget

Providers agree to establish and utilize a budget approved by the Provider's Board of Directors and the Department.

The budget must be submitted through the DHS CSA system by the deadline established by the Department.

X. Applicable Rules and Statutes

The Provider shall provide services as set forth in the pertinent portions of the FCS Program Specific Manual and shall act in accordance with all state and federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of the services, including, but not limited to the following:

Federal Rules:

  1. 2 CFR 200: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provisions regarding Administration of Grants

Federal Statutes:

  1. 42 U.S. Code 10401 et seq.: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act

State Rules:

State Rules: Title 89 Illinois Administrative Code

  1. Part 130.200: Administration of Social Service Programs, Domestic Violence Shelter and Service Programs
  2. Part 501: Partner Abuse Intervention

State Statutes:

  1. 20 ILCS 1310: Domestic Violence Shelters Act
  2. 750 ILCS 60/227: Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986

TOP