Statewide Evaluation of the Phase II California Family Justice Center Initiative

EMT was retained by the National Family Justice Center Alliance to conduct an independent evaluation of eight Family Justice Centers in California, per Senate Bill 557. Blue Shield of California Foundation funded the evaluation. Senate Bill 557 was the first state legislation in the United States focused on defining and evaluation Family Justice Centers. The purpose of the evaluation as stated in SB 557 was to assess the benefits of co-location of services and agency professionals to meet the needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and to identify any barriers or challenges to the effectiveness of the multi-agency, multi-disciplinary service model known as the Family Justice Center. A mixed methods evaluation incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis was utilized. Data was collected from survivors in both English and Spanish. Data collection sources included: 8 interviews with the Family Justice Center Directors, 128 survivor self-recorded interviews, 7 partner agency focus groups, 9 survivor focus groups, evaluator observations during site visits, 144 responses from an online survey for Family Justice Center staff and partner agencies, administrative data, and criminal justice outcome data.

For additional information, please contact EMT at (916) 983-6680 or email us at info@emt.org.