Children's Justice Grants to States (93.643)

 

Program

93.643 Children's Justice Grants to States

 

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.

 

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; and (c) the investigation and prosecution of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation.

 

Types of Assistance

Formula Grants.

 

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.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

No preapplication 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

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.

 

Program Accomplishments

Grants were made to 48 States (including the District of Columbia.) and four territorial governments in fiscal year 2002. Similar numbers of grants are estimated for fiscal years 2003 and 2004.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

15-5041-0-2-754.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $17,000,000; FY 03 est $17,000,000; and FY 04 est $17,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$50,000 to $1,966,737 in FY 02 it is estimated that funds will range from $50,000 to $1,900,000 in FY 03.

 

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

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.