Who is DACC?
Agency History and Mission
Founded in 1992, Domestic Abuse Counseling Center (DACC) was created to provide information, skills and support to men who were trying to change their abusive attitudes and behaviors. Recognizing the need for these services, DACC started with one group located in Pittsburgh and two volunteer staff members. During the last five years, DACC has experienced incredible growth and the organization, its services and collaborations have expanded accordingly, becoming the largest non-profit batterer treatment program in Pennsylvania. Our specialized services of dealing with changing abusive behaviors, has allowed us to keep true to our mission of ending partner violence in Western Pennsylvania. This mission is accomplished through the development of programs for counseling abusers; collaborative efforts with social service agencies, criminal justice systems, victim-advocate agencies and health organizations; and by means of public awareness and education.
Collaborations and Professional Affiliations
Since family violence is a complicated problem people living in violent households often experience a variety of other problems, such as drug and alcohol addiction, mental health issues and unemployment. One of DACC’s greatest accomplishments is rooted in how well we work with other organizations to achieve our mission. By working closely with others, DACC avoids duplication of services and is able to link clients with the appropriate agencies.
Our projects with the following agencies bring us closer to the “comprehensive coordinated response” to domestic violence that experts recommend: St. Francis Substance Abuse and MH/MR Center, Alternatives Regional Chemical Abuse Program, Mon-Yough Center for Substance Abuse, Gateway Rehabilitation Center, Northern Southwest MH/MR, Allegheny Valley MH/MR, Western Psychiatric Institute and Center, Mon-Yough Women and Family Center, Women’s Center and Shelter, Alle-Kiski Hope Center, Womansplace, and Allegheny County Jail.
DACC stays abreast of current programs and initiatives be being involved with community coalitions which target community needs. DACC is a member of the Pittsburgh Partnership Against Domestic Violence, Advisory Board of the Corporate Alliance in Ending Family Violence, Department of Veterans Affairs National Task Force on Family Violence, National Institute of Justice, McKeesport Collaborative and the Batterers Intervention Services (BIS) of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Honors and Awards
DACC received the 1995 Prevention of Violence Award from The Health Education Center of Pittsburgh for exemplary performance in promoting peace and preventing violence. In 1995 and 1996, DACC was honored for their work in ending family by the resolutions presented by, respectively, the Senate of Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh City Council. DACC has been selected to present two papers on the unique design and success of our program to an international audience at the World Conference on Violence.