FEDERAL AGENCY:

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AUTHORIZATION:

Children's Justice and Assistance Act of 1986, as amended, Title I, Section 102, Public Law 99-401; Child Abuse Prevention, Adoption and Family Services Act of 1988, Title I, as amended; Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Adoption, and Family Services Act of 1992, Public Law 102-295; Victims of Crime Act of 1984, as amended, Public Law 98-473; 42 U.S.C. 5106c.

To encourage States to enact reforms which are designed to improve: (a) The handling of child abuse and neglect cases, particularly cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation, in a manner which limits additional trauma to the child victim; (b) the handling of cases of suspected child abuse or neglect related fatalities; and (c) the investigation and prosecution of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

To receive funds, States must meet eligibility requirements stated in the authorizing statute. Funds are to be used for reforms in the following categories: (a) Investigative, administrative, and judicial handling of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation; cases involving suspected child maltreatment related fatalities; and cases involving a potential combination of jurisdictions, such as interstate, Federal-State, and State-Tribal, in a manner which reduces the additional trauma to the child victim and the victim's family and which also ensures procedural fairness to the accused; (b) experimental, model and demonstration programs for testing innovative approaches and techniques which may improve the prompt and successful resolution of civil and criminal court proceedings, or enhance the effectiveness of judicial and administrative action in child abuse and neglect cases, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation cases, including the enhancement of performance of court-appointed attorneys and guardians ad litem for children, and which also ensure procedural fairness to the accused; and (c) reform of State laws, ordinances, regulations, protocols and procedures to provide comprehensive protection for children from abuse, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation, while ensuring fairness to all affected persons.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   States, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Beneficiaries include State governments and victims of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Credentials/Documentation:   Applicable costs and administrative procedures will be determined in accordance with 45 CFR, Parts 74 and 92. Applications require certification and/or documentation that the State meets eligibility requirements described in the Act.

Pre-application Coordination:   No pre-application is required. Advice and technical assistance to State applicants are available from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families. This program is covered under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs" for State plan consolidations and simplification only (see 45 CFR, Part 100.12). Review and comment provisions do not apply.

Application Procedure:   No Federal forms are required, but certain assurances and information described in the Annual Program Instruction must be included.

Award Procedure:   Applications will be reviewed against all eligibility requirements contained in the authorizing legislation. All eligible State and territorial governments will receive funding.

Deadlines:   Deadlines will be contained in the Program Instruction sent to each State and other eligible entities announcing the availability of funds under this program.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   From 2 to 3 months.

Appeals:   Appeals are processed in accordance with HHS regulations in 45 CFR, Part 16.

Renewals:   Grants are made annually. A new application is required each year.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   There is no matching requirement. The statistical factor used for fund distribution is the population of children under age 18 in each State.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Grants are made for a period of 2 years after the end of the fiscal year in which the funds are awarded.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Financial and program progress reporting requirements are described in the Program Instructions.

Audits:   Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 74 and 92.

Records:   Records must be kept in accordance with 45 CFR, Parts 74 and 92.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   15-5041-0-2-754.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $17,000,000; FY 02 est $17,000,000; and FY 03 est $17,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   From $50,000 to $1,950,043; Average: $326,923.

Grants were made to 48 States (including the District of Columbia.) and four territorial governments in fiscal year 2001. Similar numbers of grants are estimated for fiscal years 2002 and 2003.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

All pertinent instructions are contained in the annual Program Instruction.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:   Catherine Nolan, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, 330 "C" Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Telephone: (202) 205-8076.

Web Site Address:   http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

States which meet all eligibility requirements and propose projects which meet the required uses of these funds will receive grants.