A Collaboration to Evaluate the Outcomes of a Therapeutic Horticulture Program at a Domestic Violence Shelter

Therapeutic horticulture (TH) programs have produced beneficial outcomes for various vulnerable, at-risk populations, but empirical evidence demonstrating benefits for intimate partner violence (IPV) victims is lacking. The proposed project will: 1) evaluate the therapeutic and self-sufficiency benefits of a TH farm program for residents at a domestic violence shelter and following their shelter stay; and 2) provide shelter staff with research expertise to increase their capacity for program evaluation beyond the grant period.