To:                          District Court Judges, Magistrates, Juvenile Judges, Family Court Facilitators From:                    Bill DeLisio Subject:               DVOMB Standards Prohibit Family Counseling and Parenting Classes in Dependency  and Neglect Cases                  Dear Judges and Magistrates: The DVOMB and Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) have jointly studied DVOMB Standard, Section 5.05, II, (A) (9) which provides that the offender shall agree to: “Not participate in any couple’s counseling or family counseling while in offender treatment.This includes any joint counseling that involves the offender and the victim.” The DVOMB Child Welfare Committee identified that all Department of Human Services Core/treatmentservices can and must be done with the adult victim and perpetrator separately in order to be compliant with DVOMB standards when the perpetrator is in DV Offender Treatment due to an order of the criminal court. Additionally, CDHS endorses these same provisions as best practice in all instances regardless of criminal charges. When the perpetrator has successfully completed DV offender treatment, he/she is no longer prohibited from participating in the DHS Core/treatment services with the adult victim.” Specific interventions that are prohibited by the Standards would include:

·

Family counseling where the offender and the adult victim are in the room together.

· Parenting classes/skill building where the offender and the adult victim are in the room together. The letter issued to the County Departments of Human Services by the Colorado Department of Human Services is attached to this email along with a document containing recommended practices and interventions to address domestic violence in dependency and neglect cases. If you have questions or would like more information please contact Bill DeLisio. More information can also be found in the Colorado Domestic Violence Benchbook: http://www.cobar.org/repository/DV%20Benchbook%20Final%2010_2011.pdf?ID=20475

    William M. DeLisio Family Law Program Manager Colorado State Court Administrator’s Office 1300 Broadway Ave., 12th Floor Denver, CO 80201 (O) (720) 625‐5944 (F) (720) 625‐5933