The Federal government has recently placed a greater emphasis on connecting survivors with asset building programs as a way to build financial independence for the population. With this goal in mind, this toolkit was designed as a step by step guide for both AFI programs and domestic violence service providers interested in creating partnerships. It provides information targeted specifically at each partners, as well as additional resources such as draft MOUs and letters of commitments.

This study examined the outcomes of an IDA program for survivors of domestic violence based in St. Louis, Missouri. The majority of the women involved in the program were able to save money and made matched withdrawals from their account. This demonstrated that IDA programs can be used successfully with survivors of domestic violence.

This discussion paper from the University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research provides analysis of state statutes related to employment protection for survivors of domestic violence. Domestic violence is often not viewed as a workplace concern, but as this report highlights, it can be a huge barrier to employment, safety, and ultimately, self-sufficiency. Example policies are provided, as well as implications for employers, human service professionals, and policy makers.

This research brief from the Center for Financial Security at the University of Wisconsin-Madison provides a thorough overview of the impact of domestic violence on the economic well-being of women. Domestic violence negatively impacts women in a variety of ways, many of which have financial and employment-related implications. For TANF stakeholders wishing to understand how domestic violence directly impacts the employment and financial security of a victim, this brief provides a condensed review of published research on the topic.

This article provides a thorough overview of the existing research related to how poor economic situations contribute to intimate partner violence. The authors explain how low socio-economic status, unemployment, career stress, and poverty are associated with rates and severity of violence. Research is also provided that shows what mitigates these factors. This document would be helpful to TANF stakeholders interested in learning how participation in TANF can help survivors of violence and why poverty can exacerbate violence.

The Administration for Children and Families Family Violence Prevention and Services Program is pleased to announce the launch of Domestic Violence: Understanding the Basics, an online learning tool. This one-hour interactive eLearning module describes the dynamics and common tactics that characterize domestic violence, provides an overview of the scope and impact on individuals and society, explores the underlying factors that allow domestic violence to exist, offers insight into the various risks and choices that survivors face, and shares how to be part of the solution.

In light of the recent recession, this paper examines the effect that financial strain can have on the occurrence of domestic violence and in turn, how domestic violence impacts an individual or family's financial situation. Though being low income does not correlate directly to victimization, research shows a strong relationship between economic hardship and the risk for domestic violence. Financial status can also be affected by the type of abuse a victim suffers, economic abuse being a common tool employed by batterers. The article also addresses how social services, particularly TANF can play a part in helping survivors move towards safety and self-sufficiency. The report concludes by highlighting research which shows that victims feel that housing and financial assistance are the most helpful, over and above counseling and other non-tangible forms of help.