Networking Among Batterer Intervention Providers: A Template for Success

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Networking Among Batterer Intervention Providers
A Template for Success

• Chris Huffine, Psy.D.Allies in Change Counseling
  Center
• [phone]
• chuffine_at_pacifier.com
• May, 2009

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Original goalsof the meeting, 1

• discussion of relevant issues with those who
  worked with abusers
• share information about up-coming trainings and
  other events of interest
• monitor the quality of services provided to
  abusers and assure that providers were meeting
  those standards

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Original goals of the meeting, 2

• to coordinate our services not only to abusers,
  but also as educators of the general public
• to provide a hub for batterer intervention
  providers to interact with other aspects of the
  CCR
• to potentially develop formal standards for
  providers

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Meeting structure

• Introductions
• Announcements
• Business items
• Staffing cases
• Meeting topic

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Meeting topic themes

• Basic skills
• Techniques
• Coordination
• Guest speakers
• Controversial issues
• Community outreach and education

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Benefits of having a BIP coordination meeting

• A chance to become more familiar with other
  programs and their philosophies
• Increased philosophical understanding and insight
  into why we do what we do
• Reduced isolation
• Training of newer members
• Improve the quality of services
• Sharing of information about up-coming trainings
  and events
• Offer mutual support in doing the work
• Exposure to alternative perspectives and styles
• Advanced education
• Organizing to address local issues and concerns
• Disseminating didactic information to a larger
  community of people

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Top Benefits

• Dynamic and deep discussions about relevant
  issues
• Synergistic development of material

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Dos and Donts

• Do take charge/Dont strive for an organizational
  consensus
• Do allow the group to select the agenda
• Dont let a few bad apples drain the energy of
  the group
• Do write and share minutes
• Do make sure the minute taker is a skilled
  writer/recorder
• Do allow open attendance
• Do encourage more inexperienced people to
  attendDo emphasize politeness and respect
• Do pick interesting and provocative topics
• Dont focus too much on rules/administration
• Dont continually change the meeting time to
  accommodate the schedules of a few

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Dos and Donts most importantly

• Do allow for a diversity of opinion
• Dont strive for consensus or a single right
  answer
• Do respect and include differing opinions
• Dont allow one opinion to dominate

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Chris Huffine, Psy.D.

• Allies in Change Counseling Center
• 1815 SW Marlow Ave, Suite 208
• Portland, OR 97225
• [phone]
• [phone] fax
• www.alliesinchange.org
• Chuffine_at_pacifier.com