Application and Program Reporting Requirements for Children's Justice Act Grants

OMB Control No: 0970-0425
Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX

ACF
Administration
for Children
and Families

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES
Administration on Children, Youth and Families
1. Log No. ACYF-CB-PI-16-01

2. Issuance Date: February 22, 2016

3. Originating Office: Children's Bureau
Office on Child Abuse and Neglect
4. Key Words: Children's Justice Act
5. 42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.

PROGRAM INSTRUCTION
TO:

The State Office, Agency, or Organization Designated by the
Governor to Apply for a Children's Justice Act Grant (CJA)

SUBJECT:

Availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Children's Justice Act
Grants to States Under the Child Abuse Prevention and
Treatment Act (CAPTA)

LEGAL
REFERENCES: Section 107(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of the Child Abuse
Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) (42 U.S.C. 5106c et
seq.) as amended by Public Law (P.L.) 111-320 enacted
December 20, 2010; and the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 10603 et seq.).

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I: BACKGROUND INFORMATION ................................................................................ 3
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................ 3
PURPOSE ........................................................................................................................................... 3
INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................. 3
Annual Reporting Requirements.................................................................................................... 3
Three-year Assessment Requirement ............................................................................................ 4
Grant Administration Regulations ................................................................................................. 5
EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS ............................................................................................................. 5
AVAILABILITY AND ALLOCATION OF FUNDS ........................................................................ 6
Excess Funds .................................................................................................................................. 7
FUNDING PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES ...................................................................................... 7
Required Categories/Areas for Use of CJA Funds ........................................................................ 7
PART II: APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS .............................................................................. 11
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS .................................................................................................... 11
Format ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Signature .................................................................................................................................... 12
Delivery...................................................................................................................................... 12
ELIGIBILITY INSTRUCTIONS ..................................................................................................... 12
Eligibility Requirements ............................................................................................................ 12
Documentation of Eligibility ..................................................................................................... 13
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL STATES ........................................................................................... 13
Establishment/Maintenance of a CJA State Task Force ............................................................. 13
Governor's Letter ......................................................................................................................... 14
Certifications ............................................................................................................................... 15
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (for States which have not previously established
eligibility and for States which are required to submit a three-year assessment) ............................. 15
State Task Force Recommendations ........................................................................................... 16
State Implementation of the State Task Force Recommendations ............................................. 16
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................................... 17
Program Performance Reporting Requirements and Program Content ...................................... 17
Application for Proposed Activities ........................................................................................... 18
PART III: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ............................................................................... 18
CLOSING DATE ............................................................................................................................... 18
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW .............................................................................................. 18
INQUIRIES ........................................................................................................................................ 19
EFFECTIVE DATE ........................................................................................................................... 19
WEBSITE RESOURCES…………… .............................................................................................. 20
ATTACHMENT 1 (Tentative Allocations) .................................................................................. 21-22
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PART I: BACKGROUND INFORMATION
SUMMARY: Section 107(a) of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (P.L. 111-320)
(the Act) authorizes grants to States for the purpose of assisting States in
developing, establishing and operating programs designed to improve: (1) the
assessment and investigation of suspected child abuse and neglect cases, including
cases of suspected child sexual abuse and exploitation, in a manner that limits
additional trauma to the child and the child’s family; (2) the assessment and
investigation of cases of suspected child abuse-related fatalities and suspected child
neglect-related fatalities; (3) the investigation and prosecution of cases of child
abuse and neglect, including child sexual abuse and exploitation; and (4) the
assessment and investigation of cases involving children with disabilities or serious
health-related problems who are suspected victims of child abuse or neglect.
The term “State” as used in Section 3 (7) of the Act includes each of the States, the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam,
American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. In FY
2015, 50 States, including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands were deemed eligible for grants from funds deposited in
the Crime Victims Fund, for a total of $17,000,000.
Since the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana
Islands may submit consolidated grant applications in accordance with 45 CFR Part
97, these jurisdictions need not submit an application under this Program
Instruction (PI) if they choose to have their allotments included in a consolidated
grant and to expend these funds under the authority of another program that is
available for consolidation.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this PI is to set forth the eligibility requirements and the grant
application procedures for FY 2016 Children’s Justice Act (CJA) grants and to
provide the tentative State allocation table.
INFORMATION:
Annual Reporting Requirements
Financial Reporting
Federal funds awarded through these grants must be expended for the purposes for which
they were awarded and within the time period allotted, in accordance with the deadlines
discussed below.

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1. Funding (Project) Period/Obligation Deadline (10/01/2015 – 09/30/2018). The grantee
must submit an annual Financial Status Report, using Standard Form 425 (Form SF425), within 90 days of the end of each 12 months of the three-year
obligation/liquidation period.
2. Liquidation Deadline (12/30/2018). All obligated Federal funds awarded under this
grant must be liquidated no later than 90 days after the end of the funding/obligation
period (i.e., December 30 following the end of Federal Fiscal Year 3). Any Federal
funds from this award not liquidated by this date will be recouped by this Department.
3. Federal Financial Reporting System. Form SF-425, “Federal Financial Report.”
Effective October 1, 2013 – It is mandatory that grantees enter their expenditures
into the Online Data Collection (OLDC) system. ACF will no longer accept paper
submissions of any expenditure reports either by mail, email or fax. The OLDC
web address is https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/oldcdocs/materials.html. To sign up for
access to OLDC, send an email request to Matthew McMahon at
matthew.mcmahon@acf.hhs.gov.
4. Submission Schedule: Annual. Each annual report must be submitted within 90 days
following the end of each Federal Fiscal Year.
(a) An Interim report (covering Year 1 thru Year 2 of the project period) is due 90
days following the end of the Federal Fiscal Year: 12/30/2016 and 12/30/2017.
(b) A Final report (cumulative, covering the entire 3-year project period
10/01/2015 – 09/30/2018) is due 90 days following the end of Federal Fiscal
Year (12/30/2018).
Program Performance Reports
Program Performance Reports are required once a year as part of the grant application.
(See instructions under Part C, PROGRAM DESCRIPTION INSTRUCTIONS on pages
17-18.)
Three-year Assessment Requirement
Section 107(d) of the Act requires the State Task Force (see State Task Force
requirements on page 13) to undertake a comprehensive review and evaluation of
the investigative, administrative and judicial handling of cases of child abuse and
neglect and to make training and policy recommendations in each of the three
categories in Section 107(e)(1) (A), (B) and (C). The State Task Force assessment
(review, evaluation and recommendations) is required for an initial application and
at three-year intervals thereafter.

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The assessment must include a report clearly outlining the review, evaluation,
and recommendations in all the areas required in Section 107(e)(1)(A), (B) and
(C). See required areas on pages 7-8.
The report must detail the process used by the State to conduct and complete the
Three-year Assessment. The review and evaluation should build on prior
assessments and note system improvements related to prior work. The review must
outline proposed policy and training recommendations.
Additional information: The report may also include any other relevant
comments and recommendations. States may identify numerous training
and policy recommendations and choose to prioritize certain
recommendations to be supported by CJA funding.
States which established their eligibility and first received funding in FY 2013, and
States which completed the three-year assessment requirement and received
funding in FY 2013, must include in their FY 2016 application documentation
that the State Task Force complied with the requirement for a State Task Force
study at three-year intervals. Those States are:
District of Columbia
Indiana
Maine
Michigan
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Grant Administration Regulations
The regulations which apply to the administration of these grants are contained in
45 CFR Part 92, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments," (see website link on
page 17 for a copy of 45 CFR Part 92 revised regulations).
EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS:
States are encouraged to obligate (establish binding contracts and sign them) CJA Federal
funds in one year but are required to obligate and liquidate (spend) CJA funds no later than
two years after the end of the fiscal year in which the funds are awarded. Grantees have
until December 30, 2018 to liquidate FY 2016 CJA funds. This December 30, 2018
deadline is to assist grantees in paying invoices for services completed, but invoiced by
end of the year (September 30, 2018). A negative grant award will be issued for any
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unobligated or unliquidated balances reported as of December 30, 2018, and returned to
the Treasury.
States must obligate all FY 2016 CJA funds by September 30, 2018. States must liquidate
all FY 2016 CJA funds by December 30, 2018.
States must obligate all FY 2015 CJA funds by September 30, 2017. States must liquidate
all FY 2015 CJA funds by December 30, 2017.
States must obligate all FY 2014 CJA funds by September 30, 2016. States must liquidate
all FY 2014 CJA funds by December 30, 2016.
No-cost extension requests will not be approved except in the event of a
natural occurrence of destruction or distress. These circumstances are defined
in 45 CFR § 95.22. (See Appendix).
Those States requesting an extension due to a natural occurrence of destruction or
distress are to provide a written request, explaining the amount of money that
remains to be liquidated and the circumstances for such an extension to: Rafael
López, Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF),
Attn: Children’s Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families,
Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C Street, SW, 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C.
20201, no later than November 1, 2016.
Note: The Office of Grants Management is pleased to work with grantees needing
guidance in the obligation and liquidation of funds according to the terms and
conditions of their grant award.
AVAILABILITY AND ALLOCATION OF FUNDS:
Funding for the CJA program is available from the Crime Victims Fund.
Legislation requires in any fiscal year that funds be made available to the
Department of Health and Human Services for CJA grants to the States, except that
15 percent will be reserved by the Attorney General for CJA grants to Native
American Tribes. With the enactment of the Child Abuse Prevention and
Enforcement Act (CAPE) in March 2000, the amount transferred to ACF is capped
at $17,000,000. The total funding available for the CJA grants is $17,000,000.
Funds will be allocated to States based on a formula similar to that used in
distributing the CAPTA State grants, i.e., a base amount of $50,000 will be
awarded to each State; an additional amount will be awarded bearing the same ratio
to the total funds remaining as the number of children under the age of 18 in each
State bears to the total number of children under 18 in all the States.

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The tentative FY 2016 allocation for each State is shown in Attachment 1 on pages
21-22.
Excess Funds
Any excess funds resulting from States not meeting the eligibility requirements will
be awarded to eligible States on a pro rata share basis. When a State receives more
than their tentative allocation, supplemental information to explain the State's
use of these additional funds should be submitted in the form of a letter to
Rafael López, Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families
(ACYF), Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C Street, SW, 3rd Floor, Washington,
D.C. 20201 no later than November 29, 2016.
The use of excess funds must conform to the guidelines contained in this PI.
FUNDING PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES:
In accordance with Section 107(a) of CAPTA, grants awarded are to be used to
develop, establish and operate programs designed to improve:
1. the assessment and investigation of suspected child abuse and neglect cases,
including cases of suspected child sexual abuse and exploitation, in a manner
that limits additional trauma to the child and the child’s family;
2. the assessment and investigation of cases of suspected child abuse-related
fatalities and suspected child neglect-related fatalities;
3. the investigation and prosecution of cases of child abuse and neglect, including
child sexual abuse and exploitation; and
4. the assessment and investigation of cases involving children with disabilities or
serious health-related problems who are suspected victims of child abuse or
neglect.
Required Categories/Areas for Use of CJA Funds
In particular grant funds should be used to implement State Task Force
recommendations in the following three categories (the three categories from
Section 107(e)(1)(A) (B) and (C)) of the Act:
A. investigative, administrative, and judicial handling of cases of child
abuse and neglect, including child sexual abuse and exploitation, as
well as 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
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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, including sexual abuse and exploitation, while ensuring
fairness to all affected persons.
CJA funds should be used for programs to reform State systems and improve the
processes by which States respond to cases of child abuse and neglect, including
child sexual abuse and exploitation and cases of suspected child abuse or neglect
related fatalities. This will enable States to deal more effectively with both the
child victim and the offender and to limit additional trauma to the child victim.
The on-going activities of a State Task Force in monitoring implementation of its
recommendations and continuing interagency collaboration in carrying out the
intent of the Act may be supported with these funds. Supporting child abuse
prevention programs or treatment services is not an appropriate use of CJA
funds.
CJA funds are to be primarily focused on the front-end, intake and investigative
piece of child welfare. Projects selected by State Task Forces should be mindful
that funds must be spent to support efforts at this point in a child welfare case.
Examples of CJA-supported Activities Include:


Developing curricula and conducting training for personnel in law
enforcement and child protective services, as well as health and mental
health professionals, prosecutors and judges. This may include attention
to issues of trafficking and exploitation within child welfare.



Establishing or enhancing child advocacy centers and other
multidisciplinary programs to serve child victims and their families in
order to minimize trauma.
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

Establishing and supporting local and/or State child fatality review
teams, including multidisciplinary training, team development, and
annual reporting.



Supporting the enactment of laws to improve system response,
including allowing the admission of indirect testimony of children into
evidence, making the courtroom setting less intimidating to children,
increasing the penalties for sexual offenses against children, requiring
mandatory sentencing, shortening the trial process and permitting
victims to make statements prior to sentencing.



The on-going activities of a State Task Force in monitoring
implementation of its recommendations and continuing interagency
collaboration in carrying out the intent of the Act may be supported with
these funds.

Trafficking
This Administration has increased its attention on the issue of Human Trafficking.
The Children’s Bureau, along with the Administration on Children, Youth and
Families (ACYF), continues to focus efforts at the intersection of trafficking and
child welfare. In 2014, 9 discretionary awards were made to grantees focused at
addressing trafficking within the child welfare population (information available at
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/resource/discretionary-grant-awards-2014).
In the funding announcement for these grants was mention of collaboration and
coordination with CJA work and State Task Forces. The Children’s Bureau is
committed to supporting the work of States to address trafficking and exploitation.
The Children’s Justice Act specifically mentions the issue of exploitation in Section
107 of CAPTA. CJA State Task Forces have directed CJA funds to projects to
address exploitation and trafficking. Projects responding to trafficking must be
focused on systems improvement in response to cases of child maltreatment.
Examples of appropriate use of CJA funds in this area include: trainings on
recognizing trafficked or exploited children for first responders,
training/collaborative efforts between child protective services and law
enforcement, and/or development of procedures or a resource (tool kit) for
professionals to address trafficking or exploitation. Other areas might focus on
policies and procedures to promote successful prosecution of the
traffickers/exploiters and ways to reduce child victim trauma.
Funds should be used for programs to reform State systems and improve the
processes by which States respond to cases of child abuse and neglect, including
child sexual abuse and exploitation and cases of suspected child abuse or neglect
related fatalities. This will enable States to deal more effectively with both the child
victim and the offender and to limit additional trauma to the child victim.
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Linkage to the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) and Continuous Quality
Improvement Work
The Children’s Bureau is focusing efforts on the Child and Family Services Review
and the connection of formula grants to this work. The CFSR is the process the
Children's Bureau uses to conduct periodic reviews of state child welfare systems.
CJA programs should be aware of State work as it engages in this process.
Reporting related to the CFSR
Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP)
States are required to develop a Child and Family Services Plan, a five-year
strategic plan that sets forth the vision and the goals to be accomplished to
strengthen the States' overall child welfare system.
The CFSP was due on June 30, 2014 for fiscal years 2015 - 2019. A
primary purpose of the CFSP is to facilitate States’ integration of the
programs that serve children and families, including title IV-B, subparts 1
and 2 of the Social Security Act (SSA), and the Chafee Foster Care
Independence Program (CFCIP) and Education and Training Vouchers
(ETV) programs (section 477 of the SSA) for older and/or young adults
formerly in foster care, into a continuum of services for children and their
families. The CFSP consolidates plans for these programs to help States
comprehensively integrate the full array of child welfare services, from
prevention and protection through permanency (45 CFR 1357.15(a)). States
are required to make these plans available to the public and many of them
are located online. In addition, while states are no longer required to submit
a new plan for the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)
state grant program every five years, they are required to submit an annual
update on their use of CAPTA State grant funds each year and to submit
other updates to the CAPTA plan, as needed. These CAPTA plan reports
and updates are submitted with the CFSP and Annual Progress and Services
Reports each year.
Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR)
Each year on June 30, States are required to submit an APSR, which
provides an annual update on the progress made toward accomplishing the
goals and objectives in the CFSP. In preparing the APSR, each State must
conduct an interim review of the progress made since the last APSR toward
accomplishing the goals and objectives in the CFSP based on updated
information and current data. The next APSR is due June 30, 2016.
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Both of these reports are available online as part of State’s reporting
requirements and additional information is available at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/cfsp_apsr_reporting_requireme
nts.pdf.
Alignment of CFSP/APSRs with the Child and Family Services Reviews
(CFSRs)
The 2015-2019 CFSP was used to align the work conducted under the
CFSP with the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs). After a CFSR
is completed, States develop a Program Improvement Plan (PIP) to address
areas in their child welfare services that need improvement. The Children’s
Bureau continues to work with States to align the CFSP/APSR, CFSR and
the PIP process, and other program and services to achieve measurable
progress to improve outcomes for children and families.
A core component of the CFSP/APSR and CFSR process is the
collaboration and coordination by the child welfare agency with partners,
tribes, courts and other stakeholders.
In an effort to purposefully and consistently align CJA programs to relevant work
in the States, the 2015 CJA Program Instruction asked States to demonstrate their
awareness of the CFSP/APSR and CFSR processes. To move this effort forward,
CB encourages CJA programs and/or its State Task Force members to become
more active participants in various stakeholder meetings and planning committees
related to the Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP)/Annual Progress and
Services Report (APSR) and review the goals and objectives of the CFSP/APSR
and identify which of them are related to the final recommendations identified
through the State’s Three-year Assessment process. The ACF Regional Office is
also available to help facilitate this process.
Linkage to Court and Legal Representation Improvement Work
The Children’s Bureau’s Court Improvement Program (CIP) is a mandatory formula grant
authorized under the Social Security Act. All 50 States, Puerto Rico and the District of
Columbia receive CIP funding. The purpose of the program is to promote the continuous
quality improvement of court processes and legal representation in child welfare
proceedings through ongoing assessment, data collection and analysis, and training. The
CIP is also designed to enhance collaboration between the judicial branch of state
government, state child welfare agencies, other executive branch agencies, and tribes. The
grant requires the creation of a statewide multi-disciplinary task force, a strategic plan and
an annual self-assessment of how the grantee is progressing on its identified priorities.
CJA grantees are encouraged to connect with the CIP Director in their state and become
familiar with efforts planned or underway to improve the handling of child welfare
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proceedings under the program and explore opportunities for collaboration and joint work
toward shared outcomes. A CIP Director directory is included as an attachment to this
program instruction.
The Children’s Bureau Regional Office and Central Office plan to provide technical
assistance to assist CJA programs in making connections to improve collaboration and
coordination to improve services for children and families.
PART II: APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
A.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Format: States are no longer required to submit a SF-424, “Application for Financial
Assistance,” although a State may use this form if it so chooses. States may apply in a
format best suited to their needs. However, we recommend that States complete and
submit the SF-424, because all of its content is required information for the applicant. In
addition to the items specified in the SF-424, the application should include the Dun and
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number for the agency.
To receive a grant, States must meet the eligibility requirements identified in this PI.
Signature: The application and report may be signed by the Governor or an individual
authorized to act on behalf of the State office, agency, or organization designated by the
Governor to apply for a CJA grant, and to assume for that agency the obligations imposed
by the terms and conditions of the grant award.
The Governor must sign the Governor’s letter listing the assurances related to the CJA
award. The Governor’s letter requirement is detailed below.
Delivery: The Federal government is continually striving to promote efficiency in the
management of its programs. As such, States should submit the application and
subsequent annual program reports electronically. Consistent with Action Transmittal No.
OGM-AT-13-01, issued September 25, 2013 by the ACF Office of Grants Management, as
of October 1, 2013, all applications, plans and financial reports for mandatory grants must
now be submitted electronically. States should submit their application and report, and the
three-year assessment (if applicable), to the CJA Resource Inbox at:
childrensjusticeact@acf.hhs.gov.
For additional questions, please contact the Federal Project Officer for CJA, Lauren
Fischman at (202) 205-4539 or lauren.fischman@acf.hhs.gov.

B.

ELIGIBILITY INSTRUCTIONS
1.

Eligibility Requirements
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Eligibility for a CJA grant is based on two sets of requirements:

A.

(a)

States must be in compliance with the child abuse and neglect State Grant
requirements set forth in Section 106(b) of CAPTA at the time of the CJA
award. States not eligible for a State Grant will not be eligible for a FY 2016
CJA grant.

(b)

States must fulfill the CJA requirements specified in Section 107 of the Act.
These requirements differ for: (A) States which have never established
eligibility to receive CJA funding; (B) States which met the three-year
assessment requirement and received CJA funding in FY 2013; and (C) all
other States. These requirements are specified in the “Documentation of
Eligibility” section which follows.

2.

Documentation of Eligibility

N.B.

All States must complete Part A below and applicable sections of Part C on
pages 17-18. States which have not previously established eligibility, and
States required to submit a three-year assessment with this application, must
complete the additional requirements stated in Part B, Additional
Requirements for States, on pages 15-17.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL STATES
All States must provide as part of the application information regarding:
1. Establishment and Maintenance of a CJA State Task Force (Sections 107(b)(2)
and 107(c)(1)) of the Act
Documentation that the State has established or designated and maintained a
multidisciplinary Task Force on children's justice, composed of professionals with
knowledge of and experience with the criminal justice system and the system handling
child physical abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse and exploitation, and child
maltreatment related fatalities.
Applicants must clearly list the member for each discipline. The documentation must
include the names, titles and brief descriptions of the relevant professional experience
of each Task Force member, and designation of which professional category the task
force member represents. States have found presenting this information in table format
useful.
Documentation that the State Task Force includes members representing the following
disciplines as specified in Section 107(c)(1) of the Act:
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• Law Enforcement Community
• Criminal Court Judge(s)
• Civil Court Judge(s)
• Prosecuting Attorney(s)
• Defense Attorney(s)
• Child Advocate(s) (Attorney(s) for Children)
• Court Appointed Special Advocate Representative(s), where such programs are in
operation
• Health Professional(s)
• Mental Health Professional(s)
• Child Protective Service Agencies
• Individual(s) experienced in working with children with disabilities
• Parents and Representative of Parent Groups
• Adult former victims of child abuse and or neglect; and
• Individuals experienced in working with homeless children and youths (as
defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11434a)).
2. Governor's Letter (Signed)
A letter addressed to Rafael López, Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and
Families (ACYF), Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C Street, SW, Washington, D.C.
20201, signed by the Governor certifying:
(a)

the State received the FY 2015 child abuse and neglect Basic State
Grant and continues to comply with the requirements stipulated in
Section 106(b) of the Act; or the State has received a recently rendered
Federal decision attesting to the State's current compliance with the
requirements for the Basic State Grant under Section 106(b); and

(b)

the State will maintain a State multidisciplinary task force on
children's justice (only for those States not currently receiving CJA funds);
or

(c)

the State has maintained a State multidisciplinary task force on
children's justice (only for those States currently receiving CJA funds);
and

(d)

the State has adopted or continues to progress in adopting
recommendations of the State Task Force or a comparable alternative to
such recommendations; and

(e)

the State will make such reports to the Secretary as may reasonably be
required, including an annual report on how assistance received under
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this program was expended throughout the State, with particular attention to
the areas described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of Section 107(a); and
(f)

the State will maintain and provide access to records relating to
activities under CJA; and

(g)

the State will participate in at least one Federally initiated CJA meeting
each year that the grant is in effect and are authorized to use grant
funds to cover travel and per diem expenses for two CJA
representatives (CJA Coordinator and Task Force Chairperson) to
attend the meeting.

Please note that a new and updated Governor’s letter with the aforementioned assurances
must be included every year as part of the CJA application.

3. Certifications
The following certifications are required at the time of application for Federal funds:
(a)

Certification Regarding Lobbying (See Website on Page 20)

Pursuant to 45 CFR Part 93, the certification must be signed and submitted with
the application. If applicable, a SF LLL, which discloses lobbying payments, must
be submitted.
A retyped certification or a State's own certification form will not be accepted.
(b)

Certification Regarding Drug-Free Work Place (See Website on Page
20)

Signature on the application by an authorized individual attests to the applicant's
intent to comply with Drug-Free Work Place requirements. A signed form does not
have to be returned with the application.
(c)

Debarment Certification (See Website on Page 20)

Signature on the application by an authorized individual attests to the applicant's
compliance with the Debarment requirements. A signed form does not have to be
returned with the application.
(d)

Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke
(See Website on Page 20)

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Signature on the application by an authorized individual attests to the applicant's
compliance with the Environmental Tobacco Smoke requirements. A signed form
does not have to be returned with the application.
B.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STATES
States which have not previously established eligibility and States which are required
to submit a Three-year Assessment with this application must provide:
1.

a statement of the Task Force's function/purpose; and

2.

the date the Task Force was established.

Note: A Commission or Task Force established after January 1, 1983 and presently
maintained with substantially comparable membership and functions meets the Task Force
requirements. However, clear designation of which professional category the task
force member represents must be included as part of the documentation. (See Section
107(c)(2))
States not previously eligible and States required to submit a Three-year Assessment
with this application must also provide:
1.

State Task Force Recommendations (Section 107(d))
Documentation that the State Task Force has comprehensively:
(a)

(b)

reviewed and evaluated State investigative, administrative and both
civil and criminal judicial handling of cases of child abuse and
neglect, including child sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as
cases involving suspected child maltreatment related fatalities and
cases involving a potential combination of jurisdictions, such as
intrastate, interstate, Federal-State, and State-Tribal; and
made policy and training recommendations in each of the categories
described in Section 107(e) of the Act. The task force may make
such other comments and recommendations as are considered
relevant and useful.

Documentation must include a report of the State Task Force
study including its recommendations in all areas required in
Section 107(e) of the Act.
2.

State Implementation of the State Task Force Recommendations
(Section 107(e)) of the Act

16

Documentation that the State adopted the Task Force recommendations as
stipulated in 1(b) above.
Note: As provided in Section 107(e)(2) of the Act, a State shall be
considered to be in fulfillment of Section 107(e)(1) requirements if it:
(a)

(b)

adopts comparable alternatives to the recommendations of the Task
Force in each of the categories for which the Task Force's
recommendations are not adopted; or
is making substantial progress toward adopting the Task Force
recommendations or comparable alternatives to such
recommendations.

The documentation must identify all Task Force recommendations adopted
and/or comparable alternatives designed to carry out the purposes of the
Act; describe the actions yet to be taken and timetables for implementing
each recommendation or comparable alternative; or be sufficient to support
a showing that the State is making substantial progress in adopting Task
Force recommendations or comparable alternatives.
C.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION INSTRUCTIONS
Program Performance Reporting Requirements and Program Content
The program performance report is required annually. The performance report is to be
included as part of the application.
The reporting period for a program performance report should include activities for the 12
month period preceding the date of submission of the application (for example May to
May).
A program performance report should focus on the programming, outputs and outcomes
of CJA activities and projects for the prior year. Reports should include:




clear statement of the needs of the State as identified by the Task Force;
activities, outputs and outcomes as they relate to the needs identified,
including implementation of evidence based trainings and programming;
and
results of evaluation work of the CJA projects (both process and program
evaluations including program efforts).

Applications from States currently receiving CJA funds must contain a
performance report which describes project impact and/or progress related
to categories listed in the legislation:
17

A. activities to improve the investigative, administrative, and
judicial handling of cases of child abuse and neglect, including
child sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as cases involving
suspected child maltreatment related fatalities and cases
involving a potential combination of jurisdictions, such as
intrastate, 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.

support of 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,
which may include those children involved in reports of child
abuse or neglect with a potential combination of jurisdictions,
such as intrastate, interstate, Federal-State, and State-Tribal,
from child abuse and neglect, including child sexual abuse and
exploitation, while ensuring fairness to all affected persons.

Application for Proposed Activities
All applications are to contain a performance report as well as an application for proposed
activities.
The application is to include a description of the categories/areas/activities (as described on
page 7 (A), (B) and (C)) to be supported with Children's Justice Act grant funds.
The Application should include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

project goals and objectives;
approaches to be used;
a clear budget for each activity;
evaluation efforts related to the project;
an explanation of the extent to which the activity contributes to the reform
of State systems handling cases of child abuse and neglect/and furthers
implementation of State Task Force recommendations; and
18

6. a clearly articulated demonstration of the CJA program’s awareness of the
CFSP and APSR strategies and goals.
PART III: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS:
The signed original, including all attachments, must be submitted to the Federal Project
Officer at the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect by May 31, 2016.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS
(EXECUTIVE ORDER 12372):
This program is covered under Executive Order (EO)12372, "Intergovernmental Review of
Federal Programs," for State plan consolidation and simplification only (See 45 CFR
100.12). The review and comment provisions of the EO and Part 100 do not apply.
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) Control Number.
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 60 hours
per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the
data needed, and reviewing the collection of information.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-13), the Department is
required to submit to OMB for review and approval any reporting and record-keeping
requirements or program announcements. This program announcement meets all
information collection requirements approved for ACF grant applications under OMB
Control Number 0970-0425 which expires July 31, 2017.
CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) # 93.643
INQUIRIES TO:
Lauren Fischman
Children's Bureau
Office on Child Abuse and Neglect
Telephone: (202) 205-4539
Email address: lauren.fischman@acf.hhs.gov
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon Issuance.
19

/s/
Rafael López, Commissioner
Administration on Children, Youth and Families

20

WEBSITES TO CJA RESOURCE MATERIALS
Please visit the following websites listed below to download the relevant CJA resource materials
for this PI:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_01/45cfr92_01.html
45 CFR Part 92, revised as of October 1, 1996
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getcfr.cgi?TITLE=45&PART=95&SECTION=22&YEAR=1999&TYPE=TEXT
45 CFR Part 95.22, revised as of October 1, 1999
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/cblaws/capta/capta2010.pdf
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act as amended by P.L. 111-320, the CAPTA
Reauthorization Act of 2010
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/certification-regarding-lobbying
Certification Regarding Lobbying
Drug-Free Work Place Certification
Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other
Responsibility Matters
Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke
http://www.dpm.psc.gov/
Payment Management System

21

ATTACHMENT 1
TENTATIVE FISCAL YEAR 2016 STATE ALLOCATION TABLE
STATE

ALLOCATION
AMOUNT

ALABAMA

260,922

ALASKA

85,780

ARIZONA

359,041

ARKANSAS

184,824

CALIFORNIA

1,797,597

Colorado

287,602

CONNECTICUT

196,994

Delaware

88,978

District of Columbia

72,524

FLORIDA

822,587

GEORGIA

524,607

HAWAII

109,235

IDAHO

132,145

ILLINOIS

619,120

Indiana

351,322

IOWA

188,402

KANSAS

188,015

Kentucky

243,233

LOUISIANA

262,672

MAINE

99,170

MARYLAND

307,688

MASSACHUSETTS

314,899

MICHIGAN

472,819

MINNESOTA

294,548

MISSISSIPPI

189,201

MISSOURI

315,467

MONTANA

92,946

NEBRASKA

139,136

NEVADA

176,342

NEW HAMPSHIRE

100,621

NEW JERSEY

433,000

NEW MEXICO

145,707

New York (Start 2011)

858,760

NORTH CAROLINA

485,708

NORTH DAKOTA

82,453
22

STATE

ALLOCATION
AMOUNT

OHIO

552,328

OKLAHOMA

231,947

OREGON

213,501

PENNSYLVANIA

564,496

RHODE ISLAND

90,510

SOUTH CAROLINA

256,716

SOUTH DAKOTA

90,308

TENNESSEE

334,873

TEXAS

1,407,958

UTAH

222,792

Vermont

73,095

VIRGINIA

406,941

WASHINGTON

356,111

WEST VIRGINIA

122,483

WISCONSIN

297,416

WYOMING

76,412

AMERICAN SAMOA

54,247

GUAM

59,468

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

53,104

PUERTO RICO

196,338

VIRGIN ISLANDS

54,891

Total

17,000,000

23