Learn How to Use the Family Violence Indicator (FVI)

Protecting families from domestic violence requires service systems to balance the need to provide support with the need to safeguard sensitive information. The Family Violence Indicator (FVI) is a protection within the child support system that helps prevent the disclosure of location information about individuals who may be at risk of domestic violence. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners, understanding the FVI is important when coordinating services for families experiencing domestic violence or other safety concerns. This resource can help TANF programs recognize the role of confidentiality in family safety, understand how child support systems protect sensitive information, and strengthen coordination with child support agencies when connecting families to services. These practices can help ensure that efforts to support economic stability do not inadvertently put parents or children at risk.