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93.643 CHILDREN'S JUSTICE GRANTS TO STATES

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

AUTHORIZATION
Section 107(a),(b),(c),(d),(e) and (f), Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), 42 U.S.C.5106c et. seq., as amended; Public Law 108-36; Victims of Crime Act of 1984, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 10601 et seq.

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
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.

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.

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.

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.

Formula and 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.

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.

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.

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

Obligations
(Grants) FY 07 $17,000,000; FY 08 $17,000,000; and FY 09 est $17,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Grants ranged from $54,104 to $1,895,572 in FY 07 and it is estimated that grants will range from $54,104 to $1,895,572 in FY 08 and FY09. The average amount awarded is $303,571.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Grants were made to 49 States (including the District of Columbia.) and four territorial governments in fiscal year 2007; 49 States are expected to be funded for fiscal year 2008 and 50 in 2009.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE
All pertinent instructions are contained in the annual Program Instruction.

Regional or Local Office
None.

Headquarters Office
Catherine E. Luby, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, 1250 Maryland Avenue S.W., 8th Floor Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 205-8879.

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

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.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS
None.

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


General Services Administration
Office of Chief Acquisition Officer
Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR)