Essex County Family Justice Center

The Family Justice Center model is the co-location of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who work together, under one roof, to provide coordinated services to victims of family violence. Many communities use the name “Family Justice Center” though some communities select a different name to describe their multi-agency service delivery models. Family Justice Centers are specifically defined in federal law and refer to the co-location of staff members from multiple agencies under one roof. While a Family Justice Center may house many partners, the basic partners include police officers, prosecutors, civil legal service providers, and community-based advocates. The core concept is to provide one place where victims can go to talk to an advocate, plan for their safety, interview with a police officer, meet with a prosecutor, receive medical assistance, receive information on shelter, and get help with transportation.