How does FVPSA support programs in my state/territory?

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) provides the primary federal funding stream dedicated to the support of emergency shelter and supportive services for victims of domestic violence and their dependents. FVPSA is located in the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), a division of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families in the Administration for Children and Families. FYSB administers FVPSA formula grants to States, Territories and Tribes, State domestic violence coalitions, and national and special-issue resource centers.

FVPSA formula grants are awarded to every State and Territory and over 200 Tribes. (To learn more about the FVPSA’s tribal program, click here.) Funds awarded to state and territories reach more than 1,600 domestic violence shelters and 1,100 non-residential service sites, providing both a safe haven and an array of supportive services to intervene in and prevent abuse. In a recent 12-month period, FVPSA-funded programs served over 1.3 million victims and their children and respond to 2.7 million crisis calls. FVPSA-funded programs do not just serve victims, they engage and mobilize their communities. In 2012, programs provided over 178,000 presentations reaching almost 2.5 million adults and 2.3 million youth.


About FVPSA

Celebrating the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) 30th Anniversary [1:22:05]
This webinar, held on October 9, 2014, celebrated the far-reaching impact of FVPSA, the first Federal commitment to creating a pathway to safety for survivors of domestic violence and their children. A diverse representation of speakers discussed the positive efforts of community-based domestic violence programs, culturally specific services, state coalitions, and Tribal Nations to end domestic violence.

Family Violence Prevention and Services Program
The Family Violence Prevention and Services Program administers the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), the primary federal funding stream dedicated to the support of emergency shelter and related assistance for victims of domestic violence and their children.

FVPSA supports community-driven solutions to domestic violence, domestic and dating violence prevention education, and a network of programs and services to respond to domestic violence across the country, territories and tribal communities. FVPSA is also committed to strengthening our country’s response to domestic violence and ensure that all survivors, including tribal and immigrant communities, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ communities, can safely access the services and supports that meet their needs. 

In addition to providing core crisis and intervention services for the safety of victims and survivors of domestic violence and their families, FVPSA coordinates and supports a range of discretionary grant programs. More information about FVPSA’s discretionary grant programs can be found here.


FVPSA-funded State/Territory Grants and Programs

Family Violence Prevention and Services Formula Grants to States and Territories
FVPSA formula grants to states and territories fund more than 1,600 local public, private, nonprofit and faith-based organizations and programs demonstrating effectiveness in the field of domestic violence services and prevention. These domestic violence programs provide victims of domestic and dating violence and their children with: shelter, safety planning, crisis counseling, information and referral, legal advocacy and additional support services.

State Domestic Violence Coalitions 
FVPSA is the primary federal funding stream for State and Territorial Domestic Violence Coalitions, which coordinate state- and territory-wide improvements within local communities, social service systems, and programming regarding the prevention and intervention of domestic violence.  Every Coalition provides comprehensive training and technical assistance on a multitude of social, legal, and economic issues that affect victims’ safety and well-being.  Coalitions partner with government, private industry, non-profit and faith-based communities, and other stakeholders to effectively coordinate and improve the safety-net of services available to victims and their dependents.


Reports to Congress on the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act

Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Report to Congress 2013-2014 (115 p.) This report provides an overview of the nationwide network of direct intervention and prevention services offered by FVPSA-funded programs during fiscal years 2013 and 2014. Included are information and statistics on program operations and impact, as well as descriptions of hotlines, resource centers, grantee activities, and collaborations with other agencies.  

Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Report to Congress 2011-2012 (75 p.) This report provides an overview of the network of services and programming offered by FVPSA-funded programs in fiscal years 2011 and 2012. It includes information and statistics on the program's impact along with descriptions of the activities of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, resource centers and institutes, state domestic violence coalitions, and collaborations with other agencies. 

Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Report to Congress, 2009-2010 (73 p.) by the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (April 26, 2013)
The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Report to Congress provides an overview of the extensive network of services and programming made possible by the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act in 2009 and 2010. The report not only describes the programs and services supported during these years, but also explores their effectiveness in the prevention and intervention of domestic violence.

Report to Congress on the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program, 2007/2008 (38 p.) by the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (April 15, 2009)
The Report to Congress on the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program, 2007/2008, discusses the need for domestic violence shelters and services and how FVPSA grant programs are meeting those needs. The Report further includes information on the Shelter Study Evaluation, Prioritizing Children and Youth, and the DELTA Program.

Report to Congress on the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program, 2005-2006 (57 p.) by the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (March 27, 2007) 
The 2005-2006 Report to Congress discusses the activities and accomplishments of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program. Information on Understanding the Scope and Impact of Domestic Violence; FVPSA Grants to States, Territories and Tribes; the National Domestic Violence Hotline; National and Special Issue Resource Centers; Culturally Specific Institutes; National Training Centers, and; Discretionary Grants and Collaborative Work.


Collaboration with Other Federal Agencies

The FVPSA Office has partnered with the Administration for Native Americans, Office of Child Care, Office of Head Start, Children’s Bureau, Office of Community Services, Office of Child Support Enforcement, Office of Financial Assistance, Office of Refugee Resettlement, and Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response to raise awareness about the impact of domestic violence for the millions of families served by the Administration for Youth & Families.

Here is a selection of examples highlighting additional FVPSA-supported initiatives and partnerships: