• Provide an opportunity for eligible caregivers to participate in an alternative to the formal criminal justice response following an incident of physical abuse of a child as the result of excessive physical discipline and punishment.
• Integrate parenting programs that strive to reduce the number of children who are abused by the excessive use of physical discipline and punishment by replacing current discipline practices with positive parenting methods.
• We are committed to offering parents/participants and children services in a timely, culturally responsive, and systems-coordinated manner. Ensuring our services are accessible and respectful of the diverse cultural backgrounds within our community.
• Our goal is to offer all participants services promoting positive change. We do this by tailoring our services to their needs, abilities, goals, history, and offense, fostering a sense of trust and commitment to their personal growth. 
• Eliminate the use of physical discipline and punishment by all participants.
• Provide professional training opportunities regarding strategies to end violent parenting and efforts to improve cultural competency.
• Engage the community in a discussion that explores positive parenting practices.
   

• Any caregiver who has committed an act of intentional physical abuse to a child within the context of excessive physical punishment.
• Accepts accountability and responsibility for offense behavior, and if Post-charge, accepts responsibility for which guilty plea was entered. 
• Agrees to participate voluntarily in the program and sign an individualized Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) based on needs identified.  
• Is charged or referred by the District Attorney’s Office for a crime that occurred in Dane County, Wisconsin.
• Active participation, accountability, responsibility, and willingness to comply with DPP’s rigorous programming as shown in program expectations.

For more information on the referral process, click here for the DPP flowchart