Mission Statement & Purpose

The Family Peace Initiative is dedicated to ending family violence through compassion, integrity and expertise. FPI is focused on treating every individual who walks through our doors with respect and dignity. The process of changing behavior begins with a safe environment where self-exploration can occur. We are committed to creating this space for those we serve.

History

The Family Peace Initiative (FPI) is a certified battering intervention program operated by Halley Counseling Services, P.A. Presently, FPI operates more than 25+ groups in communities throughout the state of Kansas. Along with direct service, the staff of the FPI conducts training through workshops and conferences focusing on battering intervention facilitation and battering motivation.

FPI was born out of the work of Dorthy Stucky Halley, LMSW, and Steve Halley, LSCSW. Dorthy received grant funding for a battering intervention program in the early 1990s. In 2002, significant program changes occurred and FPI was born. A new curriculum was created and a new focus on intervention was undertaken that was research and evidence-based.

In 2007 the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Kansas Coalition against Domestic and Sexual Violence (KCSDV) along with the Topeka YWCA, invited Halley Counseling to participate in a pilot project focusing on people who were on parole for domestic violence offenses. The project was terminated as a result of the economic crash of 2008. At that time, Halley Counseling and the YWCA agreed that the program would be maintained and worked together to keep the Family Peace Initiative in operation.

Today: FPI not only operates more than 25+ groups in multiple communities throughout Kansas but also offers justice-involved work with youth. In addition, FPI consults with the Department of Corrections in multiple states, assisting in establishing battering intervention programs in prison facilities and parole offices.

Along with direct service, the staff of the FPI conducts training through workshops and conferences internationally, focusing on battering intervention facilitation and battering motivation. The Family Peace Initiative Training Series has been established to advance the skills of those who facilitate battering intervention programs. Our “Cracking The Code” workshop has brought a new understanding to the field of domestic violence as to the motivations of those who batter.

The FPI Approach

The Family Peace Initiative is committed to creating a culture of safety, emotional health, and cruelty-free accountability through the use of compassion, integrity, and expertise. 

The FPI Approach is built on Compassion, Integrity, and Expertise. This unique approach combines many trusted and evidence-based approaches to transformational change including (but not limited to) Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral concepts, Rational-Emotive Behavioral concepts, Internal-Focused Dialogue, Polyvagal Theory, and Mindfulness. 

Compassion: We bring compassion to this work at every step of the process. Some examples of this that are essential to the FPI Approach are that we...

  • Build Relationship and Connection with those we serve;
  • Acknowledge impacts of trauma;
  • Meet people where they are in their change process;
  • Let participants decide the pace of their change process; and
  • Hold reasonable expectations for participants, co-facilitators, and ourselves 

Integrity: We acknowledge that we can not teach people how to build trusting, healthy relationships if we are not willing to be trustworthy ourselves. Because of this, we...

  • Strive to do what we say we will do, and expect the same from participants
  • Take accountability when we fall short, and expect the same from participants
  • are Victim-centered, never losing sight of the tremendous impact of cruelty
  • Trust the Process. 
  • Lead by example.

Expertise: As facilitators, we understand it is our role to be highly knowledgeable in a number of areas in addition to curriculum-based information which include...

  • Teaching through role-modeling and storytelling;
  • The responsible pursuit of vulnerability; 
  • Understanding and ability to navigate the Funnel Process, which is an Internal-Focused Dialogue that includes emotional awareness, beliefs such as Shadow and Golden Shadow, and the power of the Enlightened Witness; 
  • Understanding and ability to apply the River of Cruelty Model; 
  • Understanding and ability to apply the Motivations of Battering; and
  • The ability to adapt and adjust as new research and/or practices become known.

New facilitators may achieve proficiency in this approach through a combination of training and in-the-field practice. This approach is intensive and often takes 1-3 years before facilitators consistently demonstrate this proficiency. 

This approach can be effective in many environments and with most curricula. It is particularly effective at inviting transformational change when used with the Family Peace Initiative suite of curriculums. 

Evidence of Effectiveness:

The Family Peace Initiative is continually evaluating the effectiveness of our BIP program. Findings of that evaluation, and evaluation by independent third parties are as follows:

Shawnee County, KS Coordinated Community Response Team Mayor’s Taskforce Against Domestic Violence 2021 STATISTICAL REPORT, page 4:

"In February 2022, members of the Mayor’s Taskforce against Domestic Violence submitted a press release highlighting the success of Shawnee County’s battering intervention programs. The following is an excerpt from this press release: “Longitudinal data collected across the past six years indicates that graduates of a Topeka-based battering intervention program are significantly less likely to re-offend. Data was evaluated by YWCA Northeast Kansas’ Center for Safety and Empowerment to determine rates of re-offense in graduates of the Family Peace Initiative’s battering intervention program. Examining across a six-year time span, 85% of Family Peace Initiative graduates from Shawnee County were not found to be subjects in police responses to new domestic violence calls in Topeka. A total of 15% were found to have had a new domestic call. ‘YWCA Northeast Kansas is proud to partner with Family Peace Initiative, as well as Washta’ge Peacemakers Men’s Project to hold domestic violence offenders accountable for their behavior and to ensure greater safety for victims and survivors of domestic violence,’ says Becca Spielman, program director for the Center for Safety and Empowerment. ‘We recognize the importance of these battering intervention programs, and their success rate demonstrates just how effective they are in eliminating the cycle of violence and creating a safer community for families within Shawnee County.’” 

Recidivism Rate of FPI Graduates in Shawnee County, Kansas:

Since 2010, the Shawnee County District Attorney’s office in Shawnee County, Kansas, has independently reviewed a list of individuals who have completed FPI BIP. They have established that graduates of FPI’s BIP have an overall recidivism rate of 21%. This percentage takes into account new arrests and new filings of PFA’s in Shawnee County, Kansas.  

While the evidence seems clear that change can happen at the Family Peace Initiative, victims and partners should never build a false hope that because an abusive partner is in a battering intervention program, change will occur.

AGs Report

What others are saying about the FPI Approach:

“I am loving this program, I use it every week. It is moving people forward!”

—Valerie Waterland, Relationship Counselor with Washington State Certified DVIT Provider

“What an important program and source for everyone involved in this learning process. It was an eye-opening experience and I have a lot to learn to do justice in presenting it to our folks. With such a wise and experienced group of facilitators, I should take comfort in knowing I have some terrific teachers right here in this building, on this floor."

—Zach Stout, II, Program Consultant, Wichita Parole Office 

Resources

Below are resources that inform our philosophy, the FPI Approach, and how we conduct groups. If you have questions or are seeking additional resources for a specific purpose not listed here, contact us.

Trauma Experiences in BIP Participants - Dr. Natalie Hoskins
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Rational Emotional Behavioral Therapy
Rational Emotional Behavioral Process Log
Motivational Interviewing
ACEs Study
Deb Dana Polyvagal Theory
The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work - Dr. John Gottman
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child - Dr. John Gottman
The Drama of the Gifted Child - Alice Miller
For Your Own Good - Alice Miller
What Happened to You - Bruce Perry
Chris Huffine
Dan Siegel 
Unclenching our Fists - Sara Elinoff Acker
The Myth of Normal - Gabor Maté

Synchronous Video Conferencing Service Delivery and its Impact on Victim Safety 

Staff

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., LSCSW – Co-founder & Co-Director (Ext. 2)

Steven M.S. Halley, LSCSW, is the co-founder of Halley Counseling Services, P.A. and co-director of the Family Peace Initiative (FPI). He has been visionary in the development of a trauma-focused approach for intervening with those who batter.  He is nationally recognized for his expertise in using a trauma-focused approach to intervene with those who batter, and in training others in this approach. His development of the “River of Cruelty” model that describes how cruelty is passed from person to person and generation to generation has been groundbreaking in the field. He is the longest sitting member on the Kansas Governor’s Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board. 

Having received a bachelor degree in history, and master degrees in both outdoor administration and social work, Halley focused his career on working with individuals and families. For the past 30 years Halley has worked as a wilderness counselor, probation officer, therapist, and battering intervention provider. Along with his wife, Dorthy, he has authored curricula for working with those who batter, justice-involved women, and justice-involved youth. They have also authored The River of Cruelty, and Halley’s Alley: Commentaries on marriage, family, healthy relationships, parenting, loss, grief, trauma, and domestic violence. Steve writes a monthly blog to assist professionals working with those who batter. It can be accessed through www.familypeaceinitiative.com Steve is an avid golfer and songwriter.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., LMSW, Co-Founder & Co-Director (Ext. 3)

Dorthy Stucky Halley, LMSW, is co-founder of Halley Counseling Services, P.A., and co-director of the Family Peace Initiative Program. Dorthy served as the director of the Victim Services Division of the Kansas Office of the Attorney General (2007-2020). In that role, Dorthy provided leadership for the state in its responses to both human trafficking and domestic violence. In 2010, Dorthy coordinated the development of the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Advisory Board in Kansas, serving in its leadership until her retirement. 

Dorthy’s development of a motivation typology for those who batter has opened the door to a new understanding for judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, advocates, battering intervention providers, and others in the domestic violence field. She led the state efforts to develop standards and certify battering intervention programs throughout Kansas. She has served as an expert witness in domestic violence cases for the past 31 years.

Dorthy has served victims in various capacities since 1986. She was the Executive Director of Safehouse, Inc. for over a decade, and previously served as a Crime Victim Compensation Board member. She was the Practicum Director and Assistant Professor at Pittsburg State University in the Social Work Program from 1997 to 2007. She is the past president of the Kansas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (KNASW), the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV), and the Kansas Organization for Victim Assistance (KOVA). She also served as a consultant for the Kansas Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board (KDVFRB).

Dorthy received the Outstanding Victim Advocate of the Year Award by KCSDV (1996).  She was the first recipient of the Dorthy Halley Lifetime Service Award by the Office of Attorney General Derek Schmidt (2020), and received the Exemplary Service to Children and Families Award by the Kansas Children’s Service League (2020). 

Dorthy continues her work as an author and presenter, along with her husband, Steve Halley. She has provided international and domestic presentations to more than 30,000 advocates, criminal justice professionals, and others. She serves as a delegate and presenter to the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women for the International Public Policy Institute. In addition to her work, Dorthy loves water skiing, traveling, and spending time with family.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., LMSW - Assistant Director (Ext. 5)

Tish holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s of social work, and has focused her career on working to help people heal from the impact of the trauma they have experienced. Across the past 10 years, Tish has worked with justice-involved youth and adults, as a juvenile corrections officer, managed Greenbush Alternative Education Center working with those on probation and parole, and served as the employment specialist of an ankle monitoring program for offenders on parole. Tish lives in Topeka with her amazing husband and is a proud mother of five children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, eating good food, and having good conversation while sitting around the fire pit. 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., LMSW - Director of Training (Ext. 4)

Audra wears two hats for the Family Peace Initiative. She serves as the Director of the Peaceful Families Program serving justice-involved women and gender-diverse populations, and also as the Director of Training. Audra has 15 years of non-profit management experience in areas of performing arts management and domestic violence public education and outreach. She is a passionate advocate for women’s rights, justice for incarcerated peoples, and Waldorf education. Audra is a Master Trainer of the Family Peace Initiative’s Internal-Focused Dialogue. In addition, Audra is a founding board member of the non-profit, #BeMoreLikeClaire. Her experience as a professional musician and music educator helps her to create a unique connection with those she serves. 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Director of Operations

Janay is the Director of Operations at the Family Peace Initiative. Janay began as an intern in 2010 while she was working on her undergraduate degree. She holds a Bachelor's of Science in Human Services and a law degree (Juris Doctorate) from Washburn University. Outside of the Family Peace Initiative, Janay owns a law firm and is a practicing attorney licensed in Kansas and Arizona.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Office Manager

Cheryl has a heart for service and robust experience in systems, analysis, and organization. This combination of warmth and detail-oriented ability makes her the perfect office manager for the Family Peace Initiative. She serves FPI clients, partners, and staff, ensuring they have the information, resources, and support needed to succeed. Cheryl is passionate about connecting clients to this programming and helping them in their relationships and future success.

Ida Aguirre - Facilitator, Assessor (Ext. 6)

Ida is passionate about working with victims, perpetrators, and survivors of domestic violence, because violence is a cycle we can break. Helping even one person to make a difference and experience change makes the work well worth it. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Ida has worked in DV for over 15 years, 9 of which she has worked with BIP program offenders. She serves as a facilitator and assessor for FPI in both Spanish and English groups. Ida enjoys spending time with her sweetheart (whom she met in elementary school), her three grown children, making all forms of art, and watching NFL – go Washington!

Teresa Baily - Receptionist

Teresa holds a Bachelor of Business Management Degree, and worked at a utility company for more than 35 years. As her retirement from the utility company neared, she knew she wanted a part time position where she could learn something new and make a difference. That marked the beginning of her time as part of the FPI family. She currently serves as a receptionist at Family Peace Initiative and strives to assist participants and staff with the support they need. Teresa is proud to serve at an organization that is helping people in the community in a way she had not previously anticipated. 

Allison Basinger - Facilitator, Trainer

Allison Basinger is passionate about creating a world free of violence. Her entire career has been dedicated to this purpose. From teaching historically underserved students in middle school, to creating and implementing two prevention education theatre programs, “The Outrage” and “Connecting the Dots. . .” to writing three prevention education curricula including, “No More Bullying!,” a primary prevention education program for elementary students. Allison’s educator mind and empathetic heart are always on the look-out for the most creative ways to effectively educate folks. Enter FPI! Allison officially joined the FPI staff as a co-Facilitator for BIP groups and assists with training professionals. She couldn’t be more thrilled to be working alongside the Amazing FPI Team!!

Aneta Bodkin - Facilitator

With a BS in Psychology from ESU, an MS in Student Personnel from ESU, and an MSW from Washburn, Aneta has a long history of working with domestic violence and sexual assault victims and survivors. She began work with FPI in 2013 gaining training and experience to see the larger picture of Domestic Violence as well as witness how participants learn coping skills to become healthier individuals, husbands, and parents. Aneta is a Kansas native with 3 grown children. She loves to garden, read and kayak.

Camri_Burke.jpgCamri Burke, BSW - Facilitator

Camri holds a Bachelor's of Social Work and has focused her career on helping her clients find their purpose. She is fulfilled by helping them be able to hold space for more meaningful relationships as they navigate through life. Over the past five years, Camri has worked with women of all ages to help empower themselves through mental and physical wellness. Camri lives in Lawrence with her two amazing children. In her free time she enjoys working out, spending time with her family, and trying new recipes with her daughter.

Cam Cameron, MSW - Facilitator

Cam believes that building healthy relationships is one of the most difficult and rewarding things each of us can do. They hold an MSW from the University of Kansas and have multiple years experience working with DV and SA victims and survivors through the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment. Cam is committed to helping people understand the complexities of relationships, heal from past harm, and find better ways to navigate relationships in the future. They are passionate about strengthening and affirming healing in queer communities. Cam’s interests include DIY projects, truck stuff, and making and playing music.

Payton_Gengler.jpgPayton Gengler - Facilitator

Payton has worked with youth in group homes, crisis centers, and psychiatric facilities for a total of 5 years, prior to FPI.  She is currently taking college courses to receive her bachelor’s in social work. Payton believes that working with youth is one of the most challenging yet rewarding opportunities there is. She is passionate about helping empower youth with skills today, so they can build a better world tomorrow. In her free time, Payton enjoys riding motorcycles and staying busy with her 3 dogs.

Hannah Hansen - Facilitator

Hannah’s passion for helping justice-involved youth in the Topeka community has shown in many different roles over the past 10+ years. Hannah graduated from Ottawa University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s in Human Services, emphasis in Children and Families, and a Minor in Ethnic Studies. Hannah has worked with adolescents in group home/facility settings, the community setting working with both prevention/high-risk adolescents, adolescents on probations, and runaway/homeless adolescents. She has also worked with adolescents in school-based programs focusing on mental health and trauma-informed care. Hannah assisted in the FPI youth initiative program at KJCC and officially joined the FPI staff in May 2023 as a co-facilitator for the youth groups at Community Corrections and JDC. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her son, riding bikes on the Shunga Trail, and being around music in any way possible.

Brian Heiman - Facilitator

Brian began working in corrections in 2001, initially working inside correctional facilities. He then moved to parole and probation, working as a case manger and group facilitator for MRT, employment readiness, mental health, and substance abuse groups. As part of that work, Brian moved into the battering intervention field in 2006 and became certified in several different curriculums, before attending his First FPI Training in 2012. Brian has robust experience in assessments and BIP groups inside the correctional facility and with clients on parole and probation for the State of Kansas victim service unit.

James Encinas - Spanish Program Facilitator & Trainer

Reverend James Encinas is a parent educator, child abuse and domestic violence service provider, activist, author, actor, and public speaker. He's a consultant and trainer for the Colorado Village Collaborative and Converge Denver, Brave Creatives. In addition, he currently serves as Spanish Program Facilitator and Trainer for FPI. He is a Fellow of the first class of the Aspen Teacher Leaders Fellowship and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. James graduated from Saint Josephs University in Philadelphia PA with a dual major BS in Sociology and International Relations. He enjoys cooking, cultivating his garden, outdoor sports and being with nature.

Kat.pngKathryn (Kat) Keyes, LMSW - Facilitator, Trainer, Marketing Coordinator

Kat blends her experience in both marketing and social work to serve the Family Peace Initiative in multiple capacities. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, International Business, and Marketing, as well as a Master’s in Social work. She’s passionate about advocacy, education, and prevention and works to that end helping social service organizations communicate at a statewide and national level with their audiences to reach as many people as possible. Kat serves as a facilitator in multiple men's and women's groups groups at FPI. She wants to help people understand their own stories and embrace them with acceptance so they can live more present, healthy, meaningful lives. She lives in Lawrence, KS with her precocious schnauzers and in her spare time loves reading, textile arts, yoga, and traveling.

Teresa Oliver - Assessor

Teresa is credentialed as a Licensed Addictions Counselor and works full-time as an Advocate at SOS, Inc. in Lyndon as an Osage County Advocate. Through her advocacy work, she found the Family Peace Initiative and also serves as a part-time assessor for their battering intervention programs. She is driven to do this work because she believes in possibilities and people. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her family.

Diana Peak, LAC - Assessor, Facilitator

Since 2008, Diana has worked in the helping profession. She went back to school to obtain her Associates Degree and certification as a Licensed Addictions Counselor. For more than 10 years she has worked in the Kansas Department of Corrections Field Services as a Parole Officer, as well as a Program Provider Supervisor for the last 6 years. Before her work in parole she served at the Addiction Treatment Center for 17 years as a Mental Health Tech, Administrative Assistant, and Outpatient Substance Counselor. Through her work in parole she saw a need to provide assessments and facilitation for BIP programs. She currently serves FPI’s Pittsburg programming by providing assessments, orientations, and facilitating groups. Diana is passionate about this work and is moved by seeing the internal changes in the people she serves, as well as using these skills personally. Outside of work she loves spending time with her wonderfully supportive husband of over 20 years, five grown children, three grandchildren, and loves to crochet and take road trips.

Andy Schafer - Facilitator

Andy’s passion for and commitment to public service began while he was employed with the City of Topeka and these have only deepened through his work at the State Library of Kansas. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Washburn University and Master of Library Science from Emporia State University. Andy is passionate about helping FPI participants find their way out of cycles of cruelty and into healthy behaviors. He is a proud father to two gifted and kind daughters. In his spare time, Andy loves playing the piano and guitar and reading to and with his daughters.

Mia Isenberg, MSW, LAC - Assessor

Mia is dedicated to the process of healing, reconnection, and embracing life in all moments. With a Bachelor's in Counseling with a Concentration in Addiction, Mia has been working at Higher Ground in Wichita, KS, for the past five years, specifically in group facilitation with adolescents. Higher Ground enjoys great collaboration and camaraderie with Family Peace Initiative. Through this excellent agency relationship, Mia joined the Family Peace Initiative team in September 2022 while still working full-time at Higher Ground. Mia is achieving a Master's Degree in Social Work, is currently in the concentration year of practicum at Fresenius Dialysis Clinic, and will graduate in December 2023. In her spare time (when is that? Lol), Mia enjoys spending time in Oklahoma, rock dot painting, and being in the company of meaningful people and animals. 

Max Stucky Halley - Facilitator, Orientation Director (Ext. 7)

Max has dedicated much of his past four years to learning the most effective ways to help those who batter make transformational change.  In addition to his current formal education, Max has repeatedly taken all three of the Family Peace Initiative facilitator trainings multiple times, the Office of the Attorney General assessment and victim contact trainings, attended the BISC-MI conference, taken the Allies in Change training from Chris Huffine, as well as many other trainings. He became a volunteer for the Kansas Dept. of Corrections, observing and learning from experts in the field.  He currently is providing virtually all of the Orientations for the Family Peace Initiative, and works as lead and co-facilitator of various groups. In his spare time, Max is likely to be found on a golf course, rain or shine.    

Hope.jpgHope Thompson - Facilitator

Hope received her Bachelor in Science degree with a major in psychology from Missouri Western State University in 2009. She began working as a Teen Support Specialist in the Growing Resilient Independent Teens (GRIT) Program at the YWCA in St. Joseph, MO, in 2021, assessing and mentoring youth ages 12-19. Her ability to connect with youth and their families became her "trademark".  She became adept at linking these youth and families with helpful resources. She next became a case manager for Youth Alliance, providing support to youth who had dropped out of high school, and assisting them in obtaining their HISET to enable them to succeed in achieving their career goals. Hope joined the FPI team as a Youth Group Facilitator in 2023, and is assisting in the development of the FPI response to justice-involved youth.