“Fathers for Change” Program

Kansas City Municipal Court Launches Groundbreaking
"Fathers for Change" Program
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month

First Court in the Nation to Implement Yale-Developed Model
for Ending Family Violence

In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Kansas City Municipal Court is proud to announce the launch of Fathers for Change, a pioneering initiative designed to address the impact of domestic violence on families through a fatherhood-centered lens. Kansas City's Domestic Violence Court will be the first in the nation to adopt this innovative program.

Funded through a grant from the Health Forward Foundation, Fathers for Change is a research-based, father-focused individual and family intervention that targets the intersection of intimate partner violence and child maltreatment. The program was developed by Dr. Carla Smith Stover, a Harris Professor at the Yale University Child Study Center. It integrates attachment and cognitive-behavioral therapy with a focus on emotional regulation and reflective functioning, all within a family systems framework.

The program will be officially introduced at the Municipal Court's "Wake Up to Safety: Domestic Violence Stakeholder Event" on:

Wednesday, October 22
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
KCPD Headquarters Community Room
1125 Locust Street, Kansas City, MO

At 11:30 AM, Judge Courtney A. Wachal, who leads the Kansas City Municipal Domestic Violence Court, will present the initiative alongside Dr. Stover, who will join virtually.

"I am excited about this curriculum because it offers a unique approach to breaking the cycle of domestic violence," said Judge Wachal. "Fathers charged with intimate partner violence may resist accountability for their behavior, but they are proud fathers. This program channels that pride into meaningful change, promoting accountability, public safety, and stronger families for generations to come."

Unlike traditional batterer intervention programs, Fathers for Change extends beyond group-based models by emphasizing emotional regulation, co-parenting, and the impact of violence on children. Sessions are conducted one-on-one by a master's-level clinician, ensuring a therapeutic and evidence-informed approach to behavioral change.

The Kansas City Municipal Domestic Violence Court has long been recognized for its leadership and innovation in addressing domestic violence. Key initiatives include:

• Domestic Violence Mentor Court designation by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Specialized Domestic Violence, which mentors high-risk offenders.
• Mandated domestic violence awareness classes as a bond condition for individuals facing their first charge.
• RSVP (Relationships and Sexual Violence Prevention) Docket, which serves young adults and provides resources to both those who experience and those who use violence.
• Domestic Violence Court Drug Program addressing the role of substance use in domestic violence cases.

As the largest municipal court jurisdiction in Missouri, Kansas City handles a high volume of the city's domestic violence-related violations, including assault, harassment, stalking, child abuse, and related offenses. Two full-time shelter advocates are present in court daily to support survivors and connect them with vital resources.