Prevention of Domestic Violence, Office for

Agency Web Site: http://www.opdv.ny.gov/

Mission

The Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence(OPDV) works to improve the State's response to, and prevention of, domestic violence by providing support for local programs; offering policy advice and proposals at the state and local level; providing training and public education; and administering awareness activities.

Organization and Staffing

OPDV, led by an Executive Director, has four bureaus, including: Bureau of Law and Public Safety; Bureau of Finance and Operations; Bureau of Public Awareness and Prevention; and Bureau of Family and Victim Resources. The Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team, which oversees the related program described below, includes 20 members representing primarily state and local public safety agencies. The OPDV Advisory Council has 27 members including representatives from 11 state agencies, the Governor's Office, the Legislature and local nonprofit providers.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2018 Executive Budget recommends $5.6 million for the Office and a workforce of 28 FTEs. The workforce is unchanged from FY 2017. New funding of $400,000 is recommended for the establishment of local domestic violence homicide reduction pilots to jointly focus local law enforcement and service providers on interventions to prevent domestic violence related homicides.

Program Highlights

Risk Reduction Enhanced Response Pilot Programs

The Risk Reduction Enhanced Response Pilot Program seeks to prevent intimate partner related homicides. The program utilizes a team approach that includes licensed domestic violence programs, district attorney’s offices, local law enforcement agencies and probation. A validated risk assessment tool, selected by the team, is used to identify and respond to domestic violence cases that are at the highest risk of serious injury or death.

Ursula Forem Domestic Violence Program Employment Fellowship Pilot Programs

The Fellowship provides funding for salary and fringe benefits for young professionals entering the field of domestic violence service provision in communities across the State. As a support to new Fellows, and as benefit to all licensed and approved domestic violence programs, OPDV provides a centrally located training continuum to inform Fellows and colleagues of the legal and regulatory requirements for responding to domestic violence.

NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline

The NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline provides trained counselors who respond to a variety of service needs including crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and information and referral service. Callers to the Hotline include victims of domestic and sexual violence, concerned others (e.g., family members, friends and co-workers), and professionals (e.g., professionals from human services, health care and criminal justice).

OPDV Shine the Light on Domestic Violence

OPDV’s 9th annual “Shine the Light on Domestic Violence campaign” which promotes awareness of domestic violence by “turning the State purple” took place in October 2016, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Governor issued a press release announcing key buildings that were being illuminated purple, including One World Trade Center, the SUNY Administration Building, the Alfred E. Smith Building and the Mid-Hudson Bridge. The Governor also issued a proclamation declaring October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Fatality Review

The Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team, made up of approximately 20 state and local representatives, is in its fourth year and has conducted 12 reviews. These intensive reviews are used to identify patterns and warning signs as well as improving the response systems that interact with victims. The purpose of this work is not to point fingers or lay blame, but to make recommendations that may help prevent such tragedies in the future.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/17/2017