Slides for facilitator training on alternative domestic violence programs presented at the Association of Batters Intervention Programs (ABIP) monthly meeting January 23, 2026.

1. Alternative DV Programs
• ABIP Facilitator Training January 23, 2026
• Scope, basis, and facilitator roles
• Presented by Stephen Lasicka, SUDCC III (SLasicka@Outlook.com)
• Acknowledgement: Developed with ChatGPT

3. Objectives
Consider:
• Why have Alternative Domestic Violence (DV) programs?
• Facilitator roles
• Accountability and safety
• Reasons for change

4. What AB 1549 Authorizes
• Extends alternative DV programs in certain counties through 2030
• Includes Sacramento
• Does not replace BIPs.
Status: In legislative process; introduced January 7, 2026.

5. Authorized Counties
• Napa
• San Luis Obispo
• Santa Barbara
• Santa Clara
• Santa Cruz
• Yolo
• Sacramento (possibly)

6. Why Alternative Programs?
• Risk-based intervention
• Individualized intensity
• Evidence-based practices
• Outcome accountability
• https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-
12/
btb24-3b-4.pdf

7. Reasons for Alternative DV Programs
Assessment Response
Interventions are based on evaluated risks and needs
Evidence-Based Practice
Emphasis on empirical, scientific methods, and promising practices
Engagement and Completion
Flexible, individualized approaches may improve participation
Integration of Contributing Factors
Responsive to substance use, trauma, and emotional regulation issues
Measurable Outcomes and Oversight
Structured data collection to support monitoring and program evaluation

8. Safety Considerations
Probation Authority Retained
Participation occurs within existing probation supervision and
enforcement authority
Criminal Penalties Unchanged
Statute does not eliminate, reduce, or substitute criminal sanctions
or sentencing authority
Protective Orders Unaffected
Existing criminal and civil protective orders remain fully enforceable

9. Alternative Approaches
1. Restorative Justice
• Acknowledges harm to victims
• Promotes empathy & accountability
• Supports community healing

10. Alternative Approaches
2. Counseling & Therapy
• Identifies abusive patterns
• Teaches healthy coping strategies
• Reduces impulsivity & aggression

11. Alternative Approaches
3. Cultural Programs
• Explores norms & values
• Encourages gender equality
• Builds positive social support

12. Alternative Approaches
4. Substance Treatment
• Reduces aggression from intoxication
• Supports long-term sobriety
• Promotes healthy coping mechanisms

13. Alternative Approaches
5. Parenting Programs
• Teaches non-violent discipline
• Models healthy behavior for children
• Rebuilds family trust

14. Alternative Approaches
6. Emotional Regulation
• Recognizes triggers & feelings
• Encourages constructive expression
• Reduces reactive behavior

15. Alternative Approaches
7. Life Skills Training
• Improves communication & problem-solving
• Enhances stress management
• Encourages responsible decision-making

16. Alternative Approaches
8. Community Service
• Fosters empathy & social responsibility
• Strengthens prosocial identity
• Encourages reintegration into society

17. Core Legal Requirements
• Validated risk assessment
• Written curriculum
• One-year standard
• Outcome reporting

18. Program Approval
⚖️Important distinction:
• For a standard batterer’s intervention program under
1203.097, the county probation department must approve
the program before a court can refer participants to it.
• For an alternative program under 1203.099, the statute sets
criteria counties must meet to offer the program. It doesn’t
specify a state-level approval step beyond those criteria.

19. Risk & Needs Assessment
• Required for all participants
• Drives focus and intensity
• Responds indirectly to California State Auditor’s 2022 report
• Assessment replaces one-size-fits-all

20. Facilitator Role
• Align content to risk
• Challenge minimization
• Document resistance
• Assessment evaluation

21. Written Curriculum
• Structured lessons
• Accountability language
• Behavior change focus
• Note: Avoids therapy drift or improvisation.

22. Evidence-Based and Promising Practices
• Cognitive-behavioral strategies
• Accountability-based groups
• Culturally responsive models
• Note: Innovation remains accountable.

23. Evidence-Based Alternatives
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Accountability, belief change,
emotional regulation, non-violent skills
Risk / Need Response: Intensity matched to risk, targets
criminogenic needs, responsive delivery
Motivational Interviewing (MI) – Adjunct: Improves engagement
and retention without reducing accountability
Trauma-Informed: Provides context
Substance-UseTreatment: Coordinated with DV services

24. Duration & Intensity
• One-year standard
• Assessment-driven adjustments
• Court approval required

25. Data & Outcomes
• Program completion
• New arrests
• Protective order violations
• Six-month follow-up
• Notes: Data for program credibility.

26. Traditional vs Alternative
• Fixed vs assessment-driven
• Limited vs specific outcome data
• Prescribed vs flexible

27. Key Takeaways
• Structure based on assessment
• Data collection to determine effectiveness
• Court authority remains

28. Sources & Resources
• AB 1549 (2026)
• Penal Code §1203.097, §1203.099
• Link to PC1203.099:
https://codes.findlaw.com
/ca/penal-code/pen-sect-1203-099/#:~:text=Current%20as%20of%20January%2001,each
%20offender%20entering%20the%20program.
• courts.ca.gov
• cpedv.org
• California State Auditor’s Report on BIPs:
https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2021-113/index.html#:~:text=Our%20audit%20of%
20California's%
20batterer,effectiveness%20in%20addressing%20domestic%20violence.
• Continuum of Aggression and Abuse by Alyce LaViolette:

29. Sources & Resources: Alternative Approaches
1. Restorative Justice: Zehr, H. (2002). The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Good Books; Braithwaite, J. (2002).
Restorative Justice and Responsive Regulation. Oxford University Press; California Department of Corrections &
Rehabilitation (CDCR). Restorative Justice Practices for Offenders.
2. Counseling & Therapy: Babcock, J. C., Green, C. E., & Robie, C. (2004). Does batterers’ treatment work? A meta-
analytic review of domestic violence treatment. Clinical Psychology Review, 23(8), 1023–1053; Gondolf, E. W. (2012).
The Future of Batterer Programs: Reassessing Evidence-Based Practice. Northeastern University Press; California
Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA). Trauma-Informed Approaches to Domestic Violence.
3. Cultural Programs: Hattery, A., & Smith, E. (2017). Prisoner Reentry, Cultural Responsiveness, and Domestic Violence
Interventions. Routledge; National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV); Culturally Specific Approaches in
Batterer Intervention Programs.
4. Substance Treatment: Stuart, G. L., Temple, J. R., & Moore, T. M. (2007). Review of the association between
substance use and intimate partner violence. Substance Use & Misuse, 42(11), 1645–1669; National Institute on Drug
Abuse (NIDA). Substance Use and Domestic Violence.
5. Parenting Programs: Stover, C. S. (2013). Parenting and Domestic Violence: Interventions to Promote Child Safety
and Father Accountability. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 22(1), 1–17; California Department of Social
Services (CDSS). Parenting Programs and Domestic Violence Prevention.
6. Emotional Regulation: Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT Skills Training Manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press; American
Psychological Association (APA). Emotion Regulation Strategies for Reducing Aggression and Violence.
7. Life Skills Training: Holtzworth-Munroe, A., & Stuart, G. L. (1994). Typologies of Male Batterers: Three Subtypes and
Implications for Assessment and Treatment; California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation. Life Skills Education
for Incarcerated Offenders.
8. Community Service: Sherman, L. W., & Strang, H. (2007). Restorative Justice: The Evidence. The Smith Institute;
Braithwaite, J. (2002). Restorative Justice and Community Reintegration.

30. Acknowledgment
• Developed with assistance from ChatGPT
• OpenAI language model
• Note: Prepared for facilitator training use.