Children's Justice Grants to States (93.643)

Program

93.643 Children's Justice Grants to States

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Administration For Children And Families

Authorization

Child Abuse and Treatment Act (CAPTA), Section 107, 42 U.S.C 5106 et. seq.

Program Number

93.643

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

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; (c) the investigation and prosecution of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation; and (d) the handling of cases involving children with disabilities or serious health-related problems who are victims of abuse or neglect.

Types of Assistance

FORMULA GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

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. To receive funds, States must meet eligibility requirements stated in the authorizing statute.

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. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

No preapplication is required. Advice and technical assistance to State applicants are available from the Children's Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect within 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. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. 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

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 90 to 120 days. Deadlines will be contained in the Program Instruction sent to each State and other eligible entities announcing the availability of funds under this program.

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

Statutory Formula:

Matching Requirements: There is no matching requirement. Each State receives a base amount of $50,000 with an additional amount based on the population of children under age 18 in each State.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grant funds may be expended for a period of 2 years after the end of the fiscal year in which the funds are awarded. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Program reports are not applicable. PSC-272. Program progress reporting requirements are described in the Program Instructions. Financial reporting requirements are described in the Program Instructions. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. 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.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Grants were made to 49 States, the District of Columbia, and five territorial governments. Fiscal Year 2009: Grants are expected to be made to 50 States, including the District of Columbia, and five territorial governments. Fiscal Year 2010: Grants are expected to be made to 50 States, including the District of Columbia, and five territorial governments.

Financial Information

Account Identification

15-5041-0-2-754.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $17,000,000; FY 09 est $17,000,000; FY 10 est $17,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

FY 08: $53,553 to $1,900,799 with an average grant of $309,091.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

All pertinent instructions are contained in the annual Program Instruction.

Related Programs

93.645 Child Welfare Services_State Grants; 93.667 Social Services Block Grant; 93.669 Child Abuse and Neglect State Grants; 93.670 Child Abuse and Neglect Discretionary Activities; 93.671 Family Violence Prevention and Services/Grants for Battered Women's Shelters_Grants to States and Indian Tribes

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Catherine Luby Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, 1250 Maryland Ave, SW, 8th Floor , Washington, District of Columbia 20024 Phone: (202) 205-8879

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.