The association of prosecuting attorneys will implement a training and technical assistance program that works to ensure equitable access to justice for children and youth victimized in out-of-home…

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) awarded a $2,000,000 Cooperative Agreement under the CFDA 16.757 Judicial Training on Child Maltreatment for Court Personnel Juvenile Justice Programs to the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Inc. (APA). Over a 3-year period from October 2024 to September 2027, APA will implement a training and technical assistance program to ensure equitable access to justice for children and youth victimized in out-of-home and custodial care. Key project activities include national listening sessions, creation of a multi-disciplinary advisory council, three national expert summits, a webinar series, comprehensive technical assistance for prosecutors and child welfare professionals, and development of a resource website. Expected outcomes include improving case outcomes, updating forensic interviewing protocols, providing trauma-informed training, and removing barriers to justice for youth in foster and custodial care.

The association of prosecuting attorneys will implement a training and technical assistance program that works to ensure equitable access to justice for children and youth victimized in out-of-home and custodial care, while holding offenders accountable. The purpose of the program is to develop a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, trauma informed, culturally competent, guide to investigate and prosecute cases involving children victimized in systems care. Project activities include: national listening sessions of individuals with lived experience; creation of a multi-disciplinary advisory council; three national convenings of experts (summits); a robust web-based webinar series; comprehensive technical assistance capability for prosecutors and child welfare professionals; and a website clearing house of resources and guides for professionals investigating and prosecuting these cases. Expected outcomes include the development of resources to improve the outcome of cases involving children and youth in systems care; protocol changes to forensic interviewing in custodial settings; trauma informed trainings and guidelines; and removal of barriers to accessing justice for youth in foster and custodial care.