Montana's Children's Justice Act Task Force
What is the Children's Justice Act?
The Children’s Justice Act (CJA) provides grants to States to improve the investigation, prosecution, and judicial handling of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation, in a manner that limits additional trauma to the child victim. CJA grantees are responsible for implementing the requirements of the CJA grant program to reform state processes for responding to child abuse and neglect.
CJA funding provides assistance for states and territories to improve their approach and response to child abuse and neglect. The focus of the funding is to create systemic changes that prevent additional trauma to child victims, and to more effectively protect their rights.
Section 107(a) of CAPTA outlines the purpose of CJA funding, which is to assist states 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.
To qualify for CJA funding, states must establish and maintain a multidisciplinary task force on children’s justice and meet the eligibility requirements for the CAPTA Basic State Grant.
Purpose of the Task Force
The task force is required to make policy and training recommendations for systems improvements in the investigative, administrative, and judicial handling of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases, and child maltreatment-related fatalities. In order to do that, the task force must conduct statewide assessment upon the initial CJA grant application and at three-year intervals thereafter.
Task Force Membership Requirements
The task force must be composed of professionals with knowledge and experience relating to the criminal justice system and issues of child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse and exploitation, and child maltreatment-related fatalities.
Meet Montana's Children's Justice Act Task Force Members
Mary Pat Hansen, MSN, APRN
Clinical Supervisor, First Step Resource Center, Providence St. Patrick Hospital
