The IFCADV began as a part of the Montgomery County Abused Persons Program (APP) of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.  It began its work in 1998 when Cynthia Anderson, then Manager of APP, asked staff Therapist Maud Clarke to organize a training for clergy about domestic violence.  The original planning group included Rev. Colin Phillips (Methodist), Donna Kane (Pastoral Counselor), and Lon Dring (then Executive Director of Community Ministries of Montgomery County).  The group planned a two-part training, which was presented in 1999.  The training focused on the history of the Christian church and domestic violence, the prevalence and dynamics of domestic violence, the needs of families experiencing domestic violence, the roles of religious professionals and faith communities in preventing domestic violence and the resources available to support them. The training was well received, and the IFCADV grew as it was decided to make such an opportunity an annual event.  There has been conference open to the entire community every year since then, focused on the intersection of faith and domestic abuse.  The IFCADV Board and programs continued to grow, and in 2006, we were granted our 501(c)(3) status as a private nonprofit corporation.

 From the beginning, the IFCADV was and continues to be a coalition of individuals who are domestic violence survivors and folks from faith communities, health care organizations, law enforcement, community groups, and public agencies.

 The IFCADV has won two awards: the Education Award from the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence and the Public/Private Partnership Award from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.