The FamilySafe Project (FSP) provides family-focused counseling and other services to survivors of gender-based violence and their children in New York City. The FSP is implemented by Sanctuary for Families (Sanctuary) and STEPS to End Family Violence (STEPS). The Urban Institute conducted a mixed-methods evaluation that examined program implementation and model fidelity, client and family outcomes, and the performance of the FamilySafe Project Assessment Tool (FSPAT). The project and its evaluation were funded under the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Justice Investment Initiative.
Why this matters
Gender-based violence affects not only the survivor, but also their children and relationships within the family. Accordingly, counseling should holistically address the needs of the parent and children and those of the family overall. Designed with this in mind, the FSP provides trauma-informed counseling and other services for survivors and their children. This evaluation’s objectives were to assess FSP operations; whether FSP services are associated with improvements in well-being for parents, families, and children; and the validity and reliability of the FSPAT.
What we found
Sanctuary and STEPS successfully designed and continue to implement a trauma-focused model of programming that treats diverse families as units and facilitates communication and collaboration between the adult and child clinical staff. Overall, clinicians reported that the design and implementation of the FSP and the FSPAT were successful. Clients generally report positive experiences with the FSP and other services provided by Sanctuary and STEPS. Furthermore, adults and children experienced significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and families experienced increases in protective factors.
How we did it
The evaluation examined program implementation and model fidelity, client outcomes, and the performance of the FSPAT using a mixed-methods approach. The implementation evaluation drew on data from interviews of clinicians and clients and a review of program administrative data to understand the FSP’s operations and the FSPAT’s design and use. The outcome evaluation included a survey of adult program participants and analyses of program data and impacts reported in client and clinician interviews. The FSPAT validation assessed the tool’s ability to reliably identify PTSD symptoms and protective factors using assessment data and clinicians’ perspectives.
