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Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
as Amended by the
Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003

SECTION I: CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT

Sec. 206. LOCAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. [42 U.S.C. 5116e]

[This section was amended by sec. 126 of P.L. 108-36.]

1. IN GENERAL.—Grants made under this title shall be used to develop, implement, operate, expand and enhance community-based, and preventionfocused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect that—
   1. assess community assets and needs through a planning process that involves parents and local public agencies, local nonprofit organizations, and private sector representatives;
   2. develop a strategy to provide, over time, a continuum of preventive, family centered services to children and families, especially to young parents and parents with young children, through public-private partnerships;
   3. provide—
      1. core family resource and support services such as—
         1. parent education, mutual support and self help, and leadership services;
         2. outreach services;
         3. community and social service referrals; and
         4. follow-up services;
      2. other core services, which must be provided or arranged for through contracts or agreements with other local agencies, including voluntary home visiting and all forms of respite care services to the extent practicable; and
      3. access to optional services, including—
         1. referral to and counseling for adoption services for individuals interested in adopting a child or relinquishing their child for adoption;
         2. child care, early childhood development and intervention services;
         3. referral to services and supports to meet the additional needs of families with children with disabilities;
         4. referral to job readiness services;
         5. referral to educational services, such as scholastic tutoring, literacy training, and General Educational Degree services;
         6. self-sufficiency and life management skills training;
         7. community referral services, including early developmental screening of children; and
         8. peer counseling;
   4. develop leadership roles for the meaningful involvement of parents in the development, operation, evaluation, and oversight of the programs and services;
   5. provide leadership in mobilizing local public and private resources to support the provision of needed family resource and support program services; and
   6. participate with other community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect in the development, operation and expansion of networks where appropriate.
2. PRIORITY.—In awarding local grants under this title, a lead entity shall give priority to effective community-based programs serving low income communities and those serving young parents or parents with young children, including community-based family resource and support programs.

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