History
The Domestic Violence Regional Councils (DVRCs) originated from a series of listening sessions with domestic violence service providers across the state, at which participants noted current methods of communication across systems and regions were decentralized and inconsistent. As a result, the 2019 New York State Domestic Violence Task Force proposed the creation of DVRCs to examine how services and resources were being delivered region by region. In 2020, the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV), along with our sister state agencies, launched the DVRC initiative. In 2025, they were renamed Gender-Based Violence Regional Councils (GBVRCs) to better represent the scope of work being addressed.
Goal
The goal of the DVRCs is a collaborative reimagining of a more survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive domestic violence service delivery system. To achieve this goal, it is important to get input from all systems in the field to better understand what statewide policies and programs are needed and if there are any statutory or regulatory barriers to be addressed. Information gained from the DVRC meetings is compiled on an on-going basis and presented to the NYS Domestic Violence Advisory Council, state agency leadership, the Office of the Governor, and the state Legislature for consideration when making policy and programmatic decisions. Where systemic barriers that can immediately be addressed are identified, state agencies have the information to act in a responsive manner and remove such barriers.
System Impact
The work of the regional councils informs policy recommendations, training initiatives, significant system investments and innovative collaborations. Led by local co-chairs, the DVRCs are intended to be comprised of representatives and providers from domestic violence service programs, local departments of social services, law enforcement, courts, probation, legal services, education, health care, mental health and substance use professionals, and other relevant stakeholders. OPDV’s sister state agencies are 2023-2024 Domestic Violence Regional Council Report 4 important partners in this work, including the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Office of Court Administration (OCA), Office of Victim Services (OVS), Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (OPCA), Division of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) and Department of Health (DOH). These agencies, along with statewide nonprofit partners, are invited and encouraged to attend each meeting. DVRC meeting topics can include challenges occurring across systems, opportunities for increased collaboration, funding opportunities, or any other of-the-moment issues impacting survivors in the region.
View the video recap from the Spring 2024 Capital Region DVRC
Upcoming Regional Councils:
The next round of GBVRCs will be held in Fall 2026. Register below:
Central New York Counties: Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego Location: New York State Fairgrounds Wegmans Arts and Home Center - Empire Room Address: 581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, NY 13209 | Wednesday, October 28th, 10am-3pm | Register |
Southern Tier Counties: Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins Location: SUNY Tompkins Cortland Community College - The Forum Address: 170 North Street, Dryden, NY 13053 | Thursday, October 29th, 10am-3pm | Register |
Mid-Hudson Counties: Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester Location: Orange County Community College Newburgh Campus - Kaplan Hall Address: Kaplan Hall, 73 1st Street, Newburgh, NY 12550 | Thursday, November 5th, 10am-3pm | Register |
North Country Counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence Location: Paul Smith's College Joan Weill Adirondack Library - Adirondack Room Address: 7777 NY-30, Paul Smiths, NY 12970 | Tuesday, November 10th, 10am-3pm | Register |
Capital Region Counties: Albany, Columbia, Greene, Saratoga, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Warren, Washington Location: Hudson Valley Community College - Bulmer Telecommunications Center, Meeting Rooms 1, 2, 3 Address: 80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180 | Thursday, November 12th, 10am-3pm | Register |
Western New York Counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara Location: TBD Address: TBD | Wednesday, November 18th, 10am-3pm | Register |
Finger Lakes Counties: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates Location: Monroe Community College Downtown Campus - High Falls A & B Address: 321 State Street, Rochester, NY 14608 | Thursday, November 19th, 10am-3pm | Register |
Mohawk Valley Counties: Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie Location: The Center Address: 201 Bleecker Street, Utica, NY 13501 | Thursday, December 3rd, 10am-3pm | Register |
Long Island Counties: Nassau, Suffolk Location: Juliette Low Friendship Center Address: 760 Lakeview Ave, Bayport, NY 11705 | Tuesday, December 8th, 10am-3pm | Register |
New York City Counties: Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, New York Location: Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building - Community Room Address: 163 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027 | Wednesday, December 9th, 10am-3pm | Register |
For more information, email [email protected].