The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) provides the primary Federal funding stream dedicated to the support of domestic violence programs and related assistance for victims of domestic violence and their dependents. The domestic violence programs funded through FVPSA provide a safe and supportive environment that allows residents to go about the tasks of setting goals and decisions about their futures.

The purpose of the State Formula Grants is to assist States and Territories in establishing, maintaining, and expanding programs and projects to prevent family violence and to provide immediate shelter and related assistance for victims of family violence and their dependents.

States and Territories distribute FVPSA funds to local public, private, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations and programs demonstrating effectiveness in the field of family violence services and prevention. Grants to these organizations are awarded based on established local criteria and acceptance of assurances as required by the FVPSA legislation. For information on FVPSA funding in a specific State or Territory, please contact the State Administrator.

During FY 2007, FVPSA grants to States and Territories supported:

• Over 1,500 community-based domestic violence programs;

• Approximately 1,200 emergency shelter facilities;

• Crisis hotlines that responded to more than 1.4 million calls; and

• Emergency shelter and supportive services for more than 119,300 victims of domestic violence and 120,900 children.

FVPSA State programs provide a variety of services and activities to domestic violence victims and their families including, but not limited to:

• Victim advocacy
• Outreach and prevention services for victims and their children
• Public awareness campaigns
• Counseling related to domestic violence
• Transportation
• Legal advocacy in civil and criminal matters
• Children’s counseling and support services
• Childcare

FVPSA State Formula Funding

Each fiscal year, 70 percent of the total FVPSA appropriation is awarded as formula grants to States and Territories. The FVPSA funding formula provides a base grant of $600,000 to each State, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with the remaining funds allotted to the States based on population. The Territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands each receive grants of not less than one-eighth of one percent of the amounts available to the States as appropriated under section 304(a)(2) of the FVPSA legislation.

State Coordination and Collaboration

To reach victims in marginalized communities and create effective new research-based responses to family violence, the FVPSA Program funds support training, coordination, and collaborations between State Coalitions, law enforcement, the court, victim services providers, child welfare and family preservation services, medical and mental health service providers, and many others to provide more responsive and effective services to victims of domestic violence and their families.

Technical Assistance

FVPSA staff is dedicated to maintaining rapport with grantees as well as providing effective technical assistance and increased communication via site visits, phone, e-mail and annual grantee meetings. In addition, FVPSA supports National Resource Centers and Institutes that provide training and technical assistance to the domestic violence field.