The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) is one of the three pillars of the Federal response to domestic violence. It provides core funding for more than 1,500 domestic violence programs nationwide and supports more than 240 tribes and tribal organizations as well funding state domestic violence coalitions and funding a network of training and technical assistance resource centers. It also funds the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the StrongHearts Native Helpline. FVPSA grants keep doors open and lights on.

FVPSA has not been reauthorized since 2010, and expired in 2015. While it is still being funded, it is vulnerable to cuts and it is woefully out-of-date. The bipartisan, bicameral Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (H.R.2119/S.1275) contains key updates to increase access to services for all survivors and to invest in prevention.

H.R.2219/S.1275:

• Increases FVPSA’s authorization
• Increases access to funding for Tribes, Communities of Color and underserved communities
• Invests in prevention
• Enhances victim services through training and technical assistance

The House of Representatives plans to vote on the bill the week of September 27. Contact your Representative and tell them to vote YES on H.R.2119. You can find your Representative here. Call them directly, email them through their websites or call the House Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Representative. Use the script below or create your own!

“I am a constituent [calling/writing] from [your location and, if applicable, your program]. I am reaching out today to ask Representative [your Representative] to vote YES on H.R.2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act, and NO on any poison pill amendments. FVPSA provides core, flexible funding for 1,500 domestic violence programs and 240 tribes and tribal organizations across the nation. However, it has not been updated since 2010 and is woefully out of date. H.R.2119 is a bipartisan, bicameral bill that increases access to critical services, including for tribes, underserved communities and Communities of Color. It also invests in prevention and enhances services through training and technical assistance. Domestic violence shelters across the country rely on FVPSA to keep their doors open and their lights on. Again, as a constituent, I urge Representative [your Representative] to vote YES on H.R.2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.”