Family violence: Plan for early intervention Family violence: Plan for early intervention (May 11, 2005)

Fueled by a $5,000 donation from the Live Oak Lions Club in Menlo Park, the Menlo Park Police Department is planning to create a new early-intervention program against domestic violence.

The Families in Transition Program (FIT Families) will offer counseling and assistance from a licensed social worker to couples or families whom police see as being at risk for domestic violence, said Sgt. Matt Bacon of the Menlo Park Police Department.

The department has a similar program for at-risk young residents, providing free counseling, support groups and other services in hopes of keeping the children from getting involved in crime.

Police say they learn to anticipate who might benefit from an early-intervention program because officers respond to many calls and get to know family situations.

Both programs are part of the department's Youth and Family Services Unit, created in 2003 by Chief Chris Boyd. All its programs get funding from state grants and private donations such as the Lions Club's gift, Sgt. Bacon said.

The club gave $7,500 to the program for at-risk youth last year.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.