Public Policy

Department of Health and Human Services Violence Against Women Funding

The Campaign for Funding to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, which represents a diverse coalition of advocates, requests that Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) programs in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) be fully funded in FY 2009. The tables present give a historical view of funding levels, the President's budget request for FY 2009, and the Campaign's funding request for FY 2009 for specific programs. Click here to see the full VAWA funding chart. (All numbers are expressed in millions.)

Family Violence Prevention and Services Act/Battered Women Shelters and Services

FY 2007 Budget FY 2008 Budget President's 2009 Request  Authorization Campaign's Request
 $124.7  $122.6  $122.6 $175  $175

Programs under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) constitute the second largest portion of VAWA funding. FVPSA programs help communities provide services for women and children living in shelters, including counseling, legal assistance, case management, food, and clothing.

Training for Health Professionals

FY 2007 Budget FY 2008 Budget President's 2009 Request  Authorization Campaign's Request
 $0  $0  $0 $3  $3

This program is designed to develop the clinical skills and understanding needed to recognize and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence. Funds support interdisciplinary training and education programs for health profession students, training projects to help students and residents provide health care services and refer victims to the appropriate community services, and community-based training opportunities.

Public Health Responses to Abuse

FY 2007 Budget FY 2008 Budget President's 2009 Request  Authorization Campaign's Request
 $0  $0  $0 $5  $5

Funds would be used to create a coordinated response from advocates, health care professionals, policymakers, and public officials in addressing domestic and sexual violence. Specifically, this program would implement, evaluate, and disseminate policies and procedures to help health care professionals respond to abuse, in addition to developing programs to serve children exposed to violence, creating strategies to protect confidentiality, and developing and launching public education campaigns and materials.

Interventions in the Healthcare Setting

FY 2007 Budget FY 2008 Budget President's 2009 Request  Authorization Campaign's Request
 $0  $0  $0 $5  $5

This program would improve rates of screening and identification through intervention research. Funds would be dedicated to researching the effects of violence and childhood exposure to violence, testing prevention strategies, and evaluating the impact of domestic violence on the health care system.

Community Initiatives to Prevent Abuse

FY 2007 Budget FY 2008 Budget President's 2009 Request  Authorization Campaign's Request
 $5.2  $5  $5 $6  $6

Through a prevention strategy that involves program planning and evaluation, this program would aim to reduce the rate of intimate partner violence.

Rape Prevention and Education

FY 2007 Budget FY 2008 Budget President's 2009 Request  Authorization Campaign's Request
 $42.8  $42.1  $41.8 $80  $80

This program provides money to states for rape education seminars for college students, training for professionals, and funding for rape crisis centers and hotlines. Additionally, the program funds the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

Greenbook/Collaboration on the Intersection of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

FY 2007 Budget FY 2008 Budget President's 2009 Request  Authorization Campaign's Request
 $0  $0  $0 $5  $5

Supporting collaboration between the child welfare and domestic violence systems, this program aims to ensure that non-abusive family members receive the support and services needed from community organizations and agencies to keep their children safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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