FEDERAL AGENCY:

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

AUTHORIZATION:

Child Abuse Prevention, Adoption and Family Services Act of 1988, Title I, Public Law 100-294, as amended; Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Adoption, and Family Services Act of 1992, Public Law 102-295; Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act Amendments of 1992, Public Law 102-586; Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Amendments, Public Law 104-235; 42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.

To assist States in the support and improvement of their child protective services systems.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

States may use the funds for one or more of the nine purposes specified in the authorizing legislation.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

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

Beneficiary Eligibility:   There are no eligibility requirements attached to the beneficiaries of these funds (abused and neglected children and their families).

Credentials/Documentation:   State plans require certification of the State's eligibility under Section 106(b) of the authorizing legislation. Applicable costs and administrative procedure will be determined in accordance with 45 CFR 74 and 92.

Pre-application Coordination:   Technical assistance is available at the regional level to assist States in meeting conditions specified in the Act. The five-year State plan application and approval process under CAPTA is consolidated with comprehensive Child and Family Services Plan under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act. The State plan may be submitted in a format best suited to a State's need and must be accompanied by the information, certifications, assurances, and documentation required by the annual program instruction. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs" for State plan consolidation and simplification only. The review and comment provisions do not apply. The application process is governed by the requirements of 45 CFR 74 and 92.

Application Procedure:   State plans and updates must be submitted to the Regional Offices. Complete information is furnished annually to the appropriate State office regarding format and timing of State plan applications and updates.

Award Procedure:   State plans and updates are reviewed at the Regional level. Regional HUB Directors and Administrators have approval/disapproval authority for these grants.

Deadlines:   As described in the Annual Program Instruction. Contact Regional Offices for details.

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

Appeals:   There is no appeal authority for these grants.

Renewals:   Grants are made annually. States submit a five-year plan and annual updates are required each year.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   No matching requirements. The statistical factor used for fund distribution is the population of children under 18 in each State. Data are provided by "Current Population Reports."

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Grants are awarded for five years.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Financial data and annual reporting requirements are described in annual 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:   75-1536-0-1-506.

Obligations:   (Formula Grants) FY 01 $21,026,000; FY 02 est $22,013,000; and FY 03 est $22,013,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   In FY 01, from $76,000 to $2,499,573; $368,818. In FY 02, from $76,002 to $2,484,979; Average: $368,877.

In fiscal year 2001, 57 grants were awarded to States to support and improve their State child protective services systems. It is anticipated that the same number of grants will be awarded in fiscal years 2002 and 2003.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Regulation 45 CFR 1340; annual Program Instruction.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Regional HUB Directors and Administrators, ACF. Contact: Geraldine Neal, (202) 205-2629. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog for addresses of Regional Offices.)

Headquarters Office:   Geraldine Neal, Children's Bureau, 330 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20447. Telephone: (202) 205-2629.

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

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Grants to 48 States and five Territorial governments for one or more of the following purposes: (1) The intake, assessment, screening, and investigation of reports of abuse and neglect; (2) creating and improving the use of multidisciplinary and interagency protocols to enhance investigations, and improving legal preparation and representation; (3) case management and delivery of services provided to children and their families; (4) enhancing the general child protective system by improving risk and safety assessment tools and protocols, automation systems that support the program and track reports of child abuse and neglect from intake through final disposition and information referral systems; (5) developing, strengthening, and facilitating training opportunities and requirements for individuals overseeing and providing services to children and their families through the child protection system; (6) developing and facilitating training protocols for individuals mandated to report child abuse or neglect; (7) developing, strengthening, and supporting child abuse and neglect prevention, treatment, and research programs in the public and private sectors; (8) developing, implementing, or operating information and education programs or training programs designed to improve the provision of services to disabled infants with life- threatening conditions and programs to assist in obtaining or coordinating necessary services for families of disabled infants with life-threatening conditions; and (9) developing and enhancing the capacity of community-based programs to integrate shared leadership strategies between parents and professionals to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect at the neighborhood level.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

States which submit State plans and updates in accordance with the annual updates and statutory requirements.