Family Intervention Program Division

"Putting Lives Back Together"

When Someone You Know Is Touched By Crime

Whenever a crime occurs, many people are affected -- the victim, family members, friends, and the entire community. The latest national statistics show that one out of four families in the United States will be touched by violent crime every year. Moved by the very real suffering of the people who make up these alarming figures, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department developed the Family Intervention Program as a way to help restore a sense of peace and balance to lives torn apart by violent crime.

The mission of the Family Intervention Program of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department is to provide mental health services and criminal justice system advocacy whenever individuals, families, and/or the community are affected by violent crime. All services are free, confidential, and provided in an environment which supports cultural diversity: with respect to race, religion, creed, and sexual orientation.

How it all Started, The History of the Family Intervention Program

The Victim Intervention Program was first launched in 1975 as a crisis counseling and victim advocacy program. That program was founded on the idea that anyone who endures a trauma because of a criminal act should be offered free and immediate crisis intervention and follow up counseling.

The Domestic Violence Counseling Services was first launched in 1994 with the creation of the Domestic Violence Division. Counselor moved from Victim Intervention Program to create a specialized counseling service for domestic violence victims.

The Youth Services Counseling and Case Management Section collaboratively referred youth to appropriate agencies and provided short-term case management for at risk youth. Forming relationships with Metro Nashville Public Schools and Juvenile Court, this unit sought restoration of the family unit. The Counseling and Case Management Section offered a free 9-week Strengthening Families Program. This program was for juveniles who were deemed at-risk, youths who run away from home, juveniles who commit misdemeanor criminal offenses, and juveniles who are chronically truant. The classes were offered in English and Spanish sessions.

In 2016, two MNPD counseling and advocacy programs, the Victim Intervention Program and the Domestic Violence Counseling Section were united to form the Family Intervention Program. In 2021, Youth Support Services, a third counseling section was added, and the Family Intervention Program Division was created. We were combined to provide well-rounded services to our community. From our work we have learned, although a victim may come in for one trauma, they often have experienced a variety of other traumas during their lifetime. We are staffed by licensed mental health professionals, advocates with bachelor’s degrees, and master’s level interns who are all trained to provide trauma counseling to any victims of crime. We specialized in Evidence Based Therapy models that have been researched, tested, validated, and proven to be effective. Our services are confidential and free of charge. We are available to victims, their families, and other individuals in crisis. Anyone victimized by a crime who wants therapy is encouraged to contact us for assistance. A victim's decision about prosecution does not affect eligibility.