NCJ Number
253885
Date Published
September 2019
Length
97 pages
Annotation
This is a report on the findings and methodology of an evaluation of the Polyvictimization Initiative at the Queens Family Justice Center (QFJC), whose goal is to improve service delivery for polyvictimization clients as part of a demonstration grant called "A Pathway to Justice, Healing, and Hope" (PJHH).
Abstract
The QFJC initiative was funded by a PJHH demonstration grant. The PJHH's goal is to develop a polyvictimization assessment tool (PAT) and service delivery model for Family Justice Centers (FJCs) or similar co-located victim services. The QFJC was developed under the guidance of a local Polyvictimization Initiative consulting committee, which was composed of representatives of various stakeholder agencies and programs. The purpose of this committee was to discuss best practices for designing and implementing the assessment tool. The primary features of the initiative were to provide trauma-informed training and service delivery, client mapping, the polyvictimization assessment tool (PAT), and the polyvictimization screening tool (PST). In addition to examining how the PST and PAT were developed and implemented at QFJC, the evaluation determined these tools' impact on service providers and service provision for clients with complex, long-term needs for trauma-informed services that address polyvictimization experiences. The evaluation determined that the initiative provided opportunities for QFJC and partner agency staff to receive training in providing trauma-informed services and led to the increased availability of tailored, intensive resources for polyvictimization clients. The service delivery model improved for clients who needed specialized polyvictimization services; however, OFJC can continue making refinements in identifying polyvictimization clients and matching them with appropriate services. Based on the evaluation's findings, six recommendations are offered to strengthen the implementation of the Polyvictimization Initiative service delivery model at the QFJC. 13 tables, 9 figures, and 50 references