ADV Marks 42 Years of Service to the Residents of Bergen County

About Us

Since 1978, Alternatives to Domestic Violence (ADV) is a multifaceted Bergen County lead domestic violence nonresidential intervention program that offers a comprehensive approach by providing services to individuals and families involved in an abusive relationship. These services include a 24-hour hotline, crisis intervention, counseling, legal/victim advocacy and assistance and referrals. The division also provides community education and workshops to raise awareness of the problem of domestic violence in our community with the goal of prevention through education.

Appropriate clients to refer to ADV are Bergen County residents experiencing domestic violence, whether as a victim, abuser, or family member. Most services do not require a fee. Those that do are affordable and based on a client's ability to pay. No one is ever turned away due to lack of funds. 

Services

Alternatives to Domestic Violence (ADV) is a division of the Bergen County Department of Human Services, which is exclusively devoted to domestic violence intervention and prevention. 

ADV offers a full range of specialized services including:

• Community education
• Counseling
• Court Appearance Preparation
• Court Accompaniment
• Crisis intervention
• Individual, group, and family counseling
• Information and referral to other needed services
• Legal advocacy and assistance
• Professional training

Guide to Services

Alternatives to Domestic Violence (ADV) provides services to help the victim, the abuser, and the family caught in the cycle of domestic violence.

Crisis Intervention

• 24-hour crisis hotline
• Crisis case management
• Intake assessment

Counseling

• Individual
• Group
• Family
• Adolescent

Specific modality will be determined upon review of intake assessment.

Legal/Other Advocacy

• Court Appearance Preparation
• Court Accompaniment Program
• Legal Consultation
• Legal referral for representation at restraining order hearing-note there are eligibility requirements
• Crisis Response Teams

Community Services

• Prevention Through Education (PTE) - domestic violence, dating abuse, and topical workshops for middle and high school students and college students
• Professional training on domestic violence and related topics
• Educational workshops on domestic violence for community groups and organizations

Information and Referral

• Access to county-wide information bank
• Statewide / national domestic violence program referral network
• Partnership Agency: The Center for Hope and Safety (formerly Shelter our Sisters).

Prevention Through Education Program Offerings and Services

4th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Symposium