The Implementation of State-Mandated Standards for Batterer Intervention Programs: The Colorado Experience

Area of Science:

• Criminal Justice
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Colorado implemented evidence-based mandated treatment standards for domestic violence offenders.
• These standards include risk assessment, differentiated treatment, offender competencies, and multidisciplinary treatment teams (MTT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine Colorado's experience implementing these mandated treatment standards.
• To investigate perceptions of implementation, treatment fidelity, team decision-making, communication, and treatment completion.

Main Methods:

• Surveys of MTT members (n=107) and follow-up interviews (n=14).
• Data collection focused on implementation, fidelity, decision-making, communication, and competency achievement.

Main Results:

• Full implementation of Colorado's domestic violence treatment standards has not been achieved.
• MTT members reported challenges in communication and decision-making regarding offender treatment plans and competency attainment.

Conclusions:

• Further improvements are needed in Colorado's domestic violence treatment model.
• Challenges in communication and decision-making hinder effective offender management and treatment completion.