Domestic Violence Awareness

Hi, I'm Dr. Erica Schwartz, CDC Director, and I'm pleased to be joined by Dr. Alex Adams, Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families. Every year millions of Americans are affected by domestic violence or intimate partner violence. More than one in three women and more than one in six men experience sexual or physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. And domestic violence is often an under-identified factor that contributes to child welfare involvement. In the month of October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, HHS is working across teams to invest in proven resources to prevent domestic violence and strengthen families. Today, ACF announced a call for new recommendations for domestic violence prevention and support programs and services to be reviewed by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. This call for recommendations is HHS's latest effort to move upstream and address challenges facing families before they become crises. By lowering barriers for states to provide mental health, substance use disorder, and parenting skills services connected to preventing domestic violence and intimate partner violence means we will help prevent unnecessary entry into foster care. And once these recommendations are reviewed and rated by the Clearinghouse, states will be able to claim federal reimbursement for most over 50 cents for every dollar spent to implement these programs and services. That means ACF will carry the cost burden for states to work with families to help lower the risk of them experiencing domestic violence. At the CDC, we have long been committed to addressing the root causes of domestic violence. In 2002, we launched the Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership through Alliances, also known as DELTA. Today, DELTA is working hard to implement evidence-based violence prevention strategies at both the state and local levels. We are proud to be working with jurisdictions across the nation and funding programs that keep Americans safe every day from domestic violence and support victims. This program is ever-evolving as we adapt to reflect changing needs in communities across the nation. ACF is also awarding 237 million dollars in funds to local organizations that help prevent family violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and provide critical services to communities all across the country. This additional funding is also going towards national resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Together, our actions to prevent domestic violence further advances our Home for Every Child initiative aimed at improving the ratio of foster homes to children in foster care. We can reduce the risk of domestic violence before it begins by addressing root causes. We can see fewer families involved in child welfare. I have dedicated my life to serving Americans through the military, medicine, and good public health policy. Throughout my career, I have seen how the effects of domestic violence can reach far beyond one person, affecting children, families, and entire households. That is why one of my priorities here at the CDC is to identify the services that are working to keep kids safe and get parents the critical help they need immediately. By bringing together expertise and resources across HHS, this Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are strengthening communities to prevent harm. If you or someone you love is a victim of domestic violence, please share this video with them and tell them to visit thehotline.org. Thank you. Produced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.