In September 2022, OCSE awarded $11.2 million in Section 1115 grants for the Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security (SAVES) Demonstration (PDF). Colorado, Georgia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians tribe are running five-year projects. These will allow grant recipients to implement comprehensive domestic violence safety policies, procedures, and outreach activities to increase access to child support and parenting time services for parents not currently receiving child support due to safety concerns. The goal is to support domestic violence survivors who need child support services but are unable to access them.
OCSE also awarded a cooperative agreement (PDF) to Colorado to create a training, technical assistance, resource, and evaluation center. The SAVES Center provides resources and training needed by child support professionals nationwide to ensure that survivors of domestic violence receive child support and parenting time services that promote long-term safety and financial independence.
For more information, refer to the Project Summaries or select individual grantee projects from the drop down box below:
New SAVES Website!
Resource hub provides information, guidance, and support services to domestic violence survivors.
SAVES Podcast
NCSEA On Location hosts conversations with SAVES project directors in New York, Oklahoma, and Virginia.
Top SAVES Resources
Cooperation and Good Cause
Summarizes child support cooperation rules and good cause exemptions and provides specific information for each SAVES demonstration site
Caseworker Guide for DV Survivor-Centered Communication
A desk reference to help child support staff safely navigate conversations and connect parents to appropriate support
Read Caseworker Guide for DV Survivor-Centered Communication (PDF)
Assessing Risk, Enhancing Safety
A resource for child support staff describing their role in safeguarding DV survivors during the child support process
Child Support Process: Resource for DV Advocates
Explains safety considerations and risk reduction strategies for each stage of the child support process
Meaningful Engagement with Survivors
Provides strategies to support and empower DV survivors and guidance for child support agencies