Research shows a strong overlap between witnessing interpersonal violence and experiencing child abuse and neglect, both of which have severe and long-lasting health consequences for children and families. New Jersey has been at the forefront of addressing this critical intersection through the development of the Domestic Violence and the Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P) Policy, which guides DCP&P staff working with families affected by domestic violence and child abuse. Building upon this foundation, Rutgers University’s Center for Research on Ending Violence and the NJ Department of Children and Families (DCF) partnered to offer a certificate program which provides advanced training for professionals committed to addressing all forms of interpersonal violence within families.
This research project aims to conduct a comprehensive mixed-methods evaluation of the existing certificate program to measure its impact on participant knowledge, skills, and application in the field, identify strengths and areas for improvement within the training, and provide recommendations for evidence-based training policies to enhance child welfare practices statewide. This evaluation will ensure that the state’s child welfare workforce is better equipped to support families, improve safety outcomes, and address systemic gaps in service delivery for New Jersey’s most vulnerable populations.