A Family Justice Center provides one place for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse to receive the life-saving services currently available in their community from both non-profit and governmental agencies. The FJC model creates a collaborative family-friendly, victim-centered, trauma-informed, hope-centered environment in which a multi-disciplinary team of professionals works together in one, centralized location to provide coordinated services to victims of family violence. These Centers co-locate, coordinate, and integrate services so that victims and their children travel to fewer places and tell their stories fewer times. The framework brings the services together for victims and their children, allowing them to go to one place for all their services and creating a community for survivors long after the crisis is over. The Family Justice Center model is identified as a best practice in the field of domestic violence intervention and prevention services by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
From 2021-2024, the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (DVCC) explored the feasibility of utilizing the Family Justice Center (FJC) Model in Delaware. In October 2024, HB340 established the Family Justice Center Council (FJCC) and created the first statewide structure for Family Justice Centers in the nation. The plan is to establish one FJC in each county. In November 2024, the FJCC held its first meeting. By June 2025, the FJCC Executive Director and Planner IV had been hired. Stay up to date on the FJCC’s efforts to open Family Justice Centers via the FJCC website.
FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER STEERING COMMITTEE
In September of 2021, the DVCC established the Family Justice Center Steering Committee to explore the feasibility, impacts, and the steps needed to establish one, or more, Family Justice Centers to support victims of interpersonal violence. We have contracted the Family Justice Center Alliance (Alliance), a program of the Alliance for HOPE International, for their expertise, consultation, and technical assistance to guide us.
The DVCC was awarded funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support this strategic planning initiative.
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
STUDY TOUR: The Technical Assistance Team from the Alliance came to Delaware on April 26-28, 2022, for a study tour of Delaware. During those three days, we held a virtual community forum, small meetings with stakeholders, and focus groups with survivors. The Team also performed court observations and tours of the Family Courts, emergency domestic violence shelters, and the Children’s Advocacy Center.
STUDY TOUR REPORT: The Alliance submitted its report for Delaware with several recommendations on June 10, 2022. According to the Alliance, “Delaware is well-positioned to be the first statewide Family Justice Center framework.”
STRATEGIC PLANNING EVENT: The Technical Assistance Team from the Alliance returned to Delaware for a two-day strategic planning event on October 17th & 18th to lead us in the development of a shared mission and vision of a statewide framework for a Family Justice Center. The DVCC’s FJC Steering Committee developed workgroups to focus on the following:
Governance and Facilities
Funding and Sustainability
Service Delivery and Operations
Community Engagement, Outreach and Volunteers
Law Enforcement
Research, Data and Evaluation
FJC STRATEGIC PLANNING REPORT: Read about the Strategic Planning Event that took place Oct 17 & 18, 2022 in the Strategic Planning Report.
FJC VISIONING SESSION REPORT: Read about the Visioning Sessions held with Kent and Sussex County stakeholders on June 2, 2023 and with New Castle County stakeholders on June 9, 2023.
FJC FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT: In 2022, OMB Bond Bill funds were awarded to the DVCC for a Feasibility Study for Family Justice Centers. In January 2023, OMB chose Tevebaugh Architecture to conduct the study. Throughout 2023 and 2024, Tevebaugh has conducted a comprehensive study regarding stakeholder needs, space needs, properties available, renovation cost estimates, and has considered many other factors. Read the full Feasibility Study Report.
In March 2024, HB340 was introduced. It passed in both chambers and was signed by Governor Carney on October 25, 2024. The bill established Family Justice Centers in Delaware, as well as the Family Justice Center Council. This legislation creates the first statewide structure for Family Justice Centers in the nation, with the intention to create one in each county. HB340 included a fiscal note to establish two state positions, the Executive Director and Planner IV for the Family Justice Center Council.
Photo of members of the Family Justice Center Steering Committee, DVCC staff and others with Governor Carney after he signed HB340 on October 25, 2024.
By June 2025, the Executive Director and Planner IV positions were filled. The FJC Council continues the work to establish and build Family Justice Centers in each county of Delaware.
Chair: Laura Graham, Esq. Chair of FJCC and Director of Legal Affairs, Family Court
