The Domestic Violence Resource Network (DVRN) is an essential coordinating network that provides training, technical assistance, and systems-based advocacy to existing grantees or anyone wanting to help survivors. The DVRN’s efforts help ensure that every state, tribe, and community can offer essential services to individuals who experience and are recovering from domestic violence. The DVRN brings a collective voice to advocates, organizations, and programs that work to prevent and address domestic violence with the support of discretionary grant funding. This work is done through national, special issue, culturally specific, and emerging or current issue resource centers and national domestic violence hotlines. This Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services factsheet lists DVRN’s partner organizations that work together to improve domestic violence prevention and intervention for people, families, communities, and the very systems set up to support and respond to this important societal concern.

The Domestic Violence Resource Network (DVRN) is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to inform and strengthen domestic violence intervention and prevention efforts at the individual, community, and societal levels. DVRN works collaboratively to promote practices and strategies to improve our nation’s response to domestic violence and make safety and justice not just a priority, but also a reality. DVRN member organizations ensure that victims of domestic violence and professionals (including but not limited to advocates, community‐based programs, case managers, and government leaders at the local, state, tribal and federal levels) have access to up‐to-date information on best practices, policies, research, and victim resources.

The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center is hosting a re-watch of a webinar hosted originally in 2023, on February 21, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. ET. In this live re-watch, participants will hear a discussion on how youth advocates can address teen dating violence in Tribal communities. The webinar will include available tools and resources for Native youth; defining violent versus healthy relationships, and empowering the next generation through Indigenous values.

The targeting and scale of missing Indigenous relatives is deeply concerning and rooted in historical injustices, marginalization, and socio-economic disparities. The connection between exploitation and the displacement of Indigenous communities underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of vulnerability. This involves enhancing collaboration between Indigenous leaders, law enforcement, and policy makers to develop effective strategies for prevention, intervention, and support for victims and their families as described in the findings of the Not Invisible Act Commission. This blogpost from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) and the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) provides resources for tribal leaders, Indigenous-led organizations, and state and federal partners committed to searching for missing relatives and loved ones. The resources include a podcast series on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, a paper on culturally based prevention strategies, online trainings on strengthening screening and trauma-informed responses to human trafficking – and more.

This Native Center webinar is a part of a series that examines the history of disability within Native communities, present-day challenges, and the possible solutions to creating a more equitable and accessible future for Native people with disabilities. Participants come away from the series with a greater understanding of the unique intersectionality of disability and Native populations as well as culturally-based strategies and approaches that can help improve the quality of life for Native people with disabilities. The Native Center will be hosting the November webinar on November 16, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. MDT, which will highlight available resources and programs for Native veterans.

The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration hosted a virtual event on April 20, 2023 where the Division of Indian and Native American Programs invited Jim Warne, subject matter expert in the field of disabilities among Native populations, to share his presentation “Helping Native People with Disabilities Succeed Through Family and Community Engagement.” This presentation included information on the value of community-driven solutions, cultivating a deeper understanding of community practices, and the varying types of traumas affecting native people with disabilities. The presentation ended with an open dialogue, where Warne answered questions about practices employed to assist people with disabilities, potential partnerships with Section 166 programs, and smaller tribal vocational rehabilitation programs.

The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families has awarded $9 million to 32 Native American Tribes and Native organizations to help improve the social and economic well-being in their communities. Every year, ANA supports Native-led, community-based projects across the United States, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Funds will be awarded across three Notice of Funding Opportunities: Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS), Social and Economic Development Strategies Alaska (SEDS-AK), and Environmental Regulatory Enhancement Grant Awards (ERE). This ACF press release announces the new FY 2023 SEDS, SEDS-AK, and ERE community partners and highlights three tribal projects that will be supported with this funding.

The Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services (OFVPS) leads Administration for Children and Families' comprehensive approach to domestic violence prevention and administers the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to improve support for families and individuals experiencing violence and trauma. Each October, OFVPS recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month by standing in solidarity with survivors, their loved ones, advocates, and communities to mourn those who lives have been lost to domestic violence; to celebrate the accomplishments to end and prevent further violence; and to connect with others leading this movement to transform communities to be more inclusive and supportive of all individuals and families fleeing violence. 

FVPSA grant recipients are hosting engaging events throughout October 2023. A few highlights are listed below: 

• October 11, 2023: 24th Annual Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day (HCADV Day) is hosted by Futures without Violence, starting at 1:00 p.m. EST. Participants who attend this webinar will be able to better describe the role domestic violence programs can have in addressing the health needs of survivors, gain access to at least two tools their organization can utilize to formalize a partnership with a health provider/program, and identify at least one health policy opportunity to increase health access for survivors.
• October 13, 2023: Pregnant and Surviving: Maternal Health in the Black Community is hosted by the Ujima Inc., starting at 12:00 p.m. EST. This virtual conversation will focus on the intersections of domestic violence and birthing, as well as ways to better support Black pregnant survivors. 
• October 19, 2023: Purple Thursday National Domestic Violence Awareness Day is an all day event where you are invited to wear purple, be a voice, and start a conversation about domestic violence! Take a photo of yourself wearing purple and share it on social media for #PurpleThursday! Be sure to tag the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence #DCCADV. 
• October 19, 2023: Supporting Survivors at the Intersections of Mental Health and Substance Use is hosted by the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health. This webinar will start at 3:00 p.m. EST and will share new and forthcoming tools to support survivors, advocates, behavioral health providers, and organizations. 
• October 25, 2023: Understanding the Dynamics and Tactics of Intimate Partner Violence through the Lens of Indigenous Survivors is hosted by the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, starting at 9:00 a.m. EST. This webinar will provide an overview of root causes by domestic violence in Indigenous communities as well as highlight the importance of traditional, cultural practices in strengthening and building the capacity to provide effective, respectful advocacy. 

OFVPS invites you to strengthen community-based partnerships and support meaningful action for individuals, youth, and families in your communities. Nationally, there are many opportunities for you to support and stand in partnership with survivors. Please help OFVPS raise awareness about these events by sharing the OFVPS 2023 DVAM Calendar of Events, which includes the above events and many more. 

Want to learn more? This domestic violence 101 course was developed by FVPSA grant recipients - the Battered Women's Justice Project, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence.

How can you help? FVPSA-funded helplines and hotlines have increased their texting and online services to better provide counseling and advocacy by phone, text, or online chat. Discussing domestic violence is never easy which is why the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and StrongHearts Native Helpline are available for anyone who needs support. Should you or someone you know need help talking about domestic violence or abuse, please reach out to a hotline or helpline for support. There are caring advocates standing by to discuss safety options and supportive services available in your community.

Your leadership and continued support will make a huge difference for those striving for meaningful social change for millions of survivors in their communities! Thank you! 

In May and June of 2022, the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network (a national technical assistance center funded by the Administration for Community Living) hosted five virtual half-day regional convenings. Additionally, one of the Network’s key national partners, the National Indian Child Welfare Association, hosted a virtual half-day tribal convening. These six convenings brought together leaders from various systems within states, tribes, and territories to address challenges and explore promising practices in serving kinship/grandfamilies. They engaged individuals with lived experience, leaders and professionals in kinship navigator programs as well as community- and faith-based organizations. Additionally, the convenings included representatives of the following government systems: Aging, Child Welfare, Disability, Education, Housing, Medicaid/Medicare, Nutrition, and TANF.

The Child Welfare Information Gateway created a five-part podcast series that illustrated ways that states and tribal jurisdictions have supported kinship caregivers. Part 3 of this series focuses on the unique successes experienced within the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. The Tribe’s flexible use of funding and their prevention-focused approach have resulted in a near 70 percent reduction in the number of children in care. Their success is built upon strong, trusting relationships forged between tribal members. Topics discussed included:

• How Port Gamble S’Klallam’s Children and Family Services differs from other State and Tribal child welfare agencies,
• How the trusting relationships Children and Family Services shares with the community enable proactive engagement with families before they encounter the child welfare system,
• Tailoring services and assessments to address a community’s specific needs, and
• Guidance for child welfare professionals who may work with Tribal families and communities.