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Imagine you’re a small child, helpless, neglected and possibly abused. Now imagine that the feelings of helplessness continue as you’re subjected to the trauma again and again through well-intentioned, but untrained adults, in a bewildering system of investigation, prosecution and judicial procedures. That’s exactly why The Children’s Justice Act (CJA) was created – to put systems in place that would surround child abuse and neglect victims, especially in cases of sexual abuse and exploitation, with a team of professionals capable of guiding them gently through the criminal justice and child welfare systems, typically through Child Advocacy Centers (CACs). The goal is to ensure the child does not endure additional trauma.
To meet program requirements, the Texas Center maintains a multidisciplinary task force of professionals with knowledge of and experience with the criminal justice and child welfare systems. The Task Force, chaired by the Honorable Larry Thorne, meets quarterly to monitor the progress of CJA funded projects, as well as ensuring the effective administration of CJA Funds. Last year the Task Force gathered for a two-day planning session, where they created recommendations that ultimately led to requesting applications for funds. Out of the 35 applications received, CJA chose 16 projects around the state that will begin receiving grant funds October 1. CJA has in the past provided funds to the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas (CACTX), an umbrella organization that offers training, resources and some funding to CACs. This year, CJA will continue in that role, but will also begin funding a few local CACs directly. One of the programs that will receive support is the CAC of Smith County Kids in Court Project. This is a new program that will provide advocacy services tailored to child victims of sexual abuse and their caregivers and family members while the child’s case proceeds through the criminal justice system. |
In Tom Green County, the CAC will implement a special project that will use CASA (Court Appointment Special Advocate) volunteers to reevaluate cases where children have been placed into permanent managing conservatorship by the state. The project is designed to advocate for permanent placements for these children, so that they won’t be moved multiple times during their childhood. Texas CASA will also continue to receive funds from CJA – this year to support its Quality CASA Advocacy and Volunteer Recruitment programs. Part of this program focuses on ensuring strong advocacy for children in CPS custody by making sure volunteers are well-trained and supervised. The other part of this program focuses on volunteer recruitment. Through a coordinated public outreach campaign, Texas CASA hopes to expand their recruitment efforts. CJA funds will be used to help recruitment efforts in Henderson, Anderson, Cherokee and Navarro counties. A new program that CJA will fund is the Ft. Bend County Court Team for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers. The Court Team is a community-based initiative of ZERO TO THREE, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the health and development of infants and toddlers. Currently serving 36 children, this team, led by 328th District Court Judge Ronald Pope, has so far helped 55 abused or neglected infants and toddlers, and 100 siblings and their parents. Pope and Dr. Connie Almeida, Ft. Bend County Community Coordinator, plan to disseminate information and resources to legal professionals throughout the state in hopes of expanding the Court Team project to new communities. These are just few of the programs that CJA funds that directly help protect the most vulnerable members of our society. Through these programs, CJA makes a difference in the lives of these children. For more information on CJA or how to apply for CJA funding, contact: Ginny Woods |
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CJA, a federal award, funds programs in each state to put these professionals in place. CAPTA amendments to the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 expanded the reach of the program by awarding grants to address handling children who also have disabilities or serious health problems. The Governor’s Office designated The Texas Center for the Judiciary (Texas Center) to administer CJA funds in Texas.