PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To develop model technical assistance and training
programs to improve the courts' handling of child abuse and neglect
cases. Facilitate the adoption of laws to protect children against the
potential second assault of the courtroom proceeding; to address the
present situation in which many States have adopted innovative
procedures that have far outpaced Federal law, leaving those children
who do enter the Federal system inadequately protected; to address the
inconsistency and disparity among State laws on child abuse; to train
criminal justice system personnel on up-to-date, innovative techniques
for investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases; and, to promote a
multidisciplinary approach to coordinating the investigations and
prosecution of child abuse cases and, thereby, limiting the number of
pre-trial interviews a child must go through as well as better assure
the accuracy of each interview, and to increase the number of
communities making use of a Children's Advocacy Center approach to the
investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse cases. The
National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association provides technical
assistance, information and support to local CASA programs, as well as
assists communities in developing new programs, and provides support to
existing and developing State organizations on issues such as the
development of goals and objectives, State legislation, and State
standards to strengthen local programs. Assist communities in
developing child-focused programs designed to improve the resources
available to children and families; provide support to non-offending
family members; enhance coordination among community agencies,
professionals, and provide medical support to health care and mental
health care professionals involved in the intervention, prevention,
prosecution, and investigation systems that respond to child abuse
cases. The American Prosecutors Research Institute's National Center
for the Prosecution of Child Abuse (NCPCA) pursues improvement of the
quality of child abuse prosecution by providing training and technical
assistance in the subject area.
ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. LAW, JUSTICE AND LEGAL SERVICES;
- Law Enforcement - Planning and Operations;
- Law Enforcement - Research, Education, Training;
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- State;
- Local;
WHO CAN APPLY:
- State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Local (includes State-designated Indian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
|
