Family and Community Violence Prevention Program

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) in the Department of Health and Human Services was created in December 1985 with a mission to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of policies and programs to address health disparities and gaps. Consistent with its mission, the role of OMH is to serve as the focal point within the Department for leadership, policy development and coordination, service demonstrations, information exchange, coalition and partnership building, and related efforts to address the health needs of racial and ethnic minorities.

The Family and Community Violence Program (FCVP) was developed in fiscal year 1994 under a cooperative agreement between OMH and Central State University (CSU), Wilberforce, Ohio. The purpose of the FCVP is to impact the increasing incidence of violence and abusive behavior in low income, at-risk communities through the mobilization of community partners. The FCVP coordinates the activities of Family Life Centers (FLCs) at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions in 17 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FLCs are engaged in violence prevention activities which address the academic, personal, cultural and career development of youth who are at risk for involvement in violent and other abusive behavior. Each FLC provides a summer academic enrichment program and conducts activities to improve family bonding, parenting skills and social interaction skills. Each has collaborative agreements with schools and community organizations to assist in recruiting youth and their families and delivering services.

The 23 FLCs described in this fact sheet were each selected through a competitive application process and funded for a three-year project period – 3 ending 07/31/05 and 20 ending on 07/31/06. The FLCs serve predominantly African American, Hispanic, and American Indian youth, ranging from elementary to high school, and their families.

In FY 2002, the FCVP made awards to support FLC demonstration programs which: place a greater emphasis on developing violence prevention interventions tailored around the internal strengths and assets of participating youth; serve as local community resource centers for the dissemination of violence prevention, youth development, and health/wellness information; and serve youth with increased risk levels. The 20 institutions funded in FY 2003 continue to emphasize family bonding along with academic enrichment and personal, cultural/recreational and career development and operate the FLC within a 10-mile radius of the target population.

March 2004

List of Family and Community Violence Prevention Program Family Life Centers' 2003 Grantees