The children's justice act (CJA) partnerships for indian communities grant program (victims of crime act of 1984, section 1402(G), 34 U.S.C. 20101(G) supports american indian and alaska native…

This $450,000 Project Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Children's Justice Act (CJA) Partnerships for Indian Communities program (CFDA 16.583) will enable the Cherokee Nation to establish a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) to improve the investigation, prosecution, and handling of child abuse cases, particularly child sexual abuse, in a manner that increases support for and lessens trauma to child abuse victims. The funding will be used to: 1) hire a full-time forensic child interview specialist and victim advocate; 2) attend required OVC training; 3) purchase recording equipment for child forensic interviews; 4) acquire general office supplies and equipment; 5) lease a vehicle to support program activities; and 6) support federal and state child advocacy group memberships to enhance staff performance and program development. This project aims to provide comprehensive and coordinated multidisciplinary responses to child abuse victims and deliver trauma-informed, culturally competent, holistic services to child abuse victims and their families.

The children's justice act (CJA) partnerships for indian communities grant program (victims of crime act of 1984, section 1402(G), 34 U.S.C. 20101(G) supports american indian and alaska native communities for the purpose of improving the investigation, prosecution, and handling of child abuse cases, especially cases of child sexual abuse, in a manner that increases support for and lessens trauma to child abuse victims. The funding further supports programs to provide comprehensive and coordinated multidisciplinary responses to child abuse victims and provide trauma-informed, culturally competent, holistic services to child abuse victims and their families. The cherokee nation requested funding to establish a child advocacy center (CAC) for conducting child forensic interviews. With this funding, cherokee nation will: 1) hire a 100% FTE forensic child interview specialist and a 100% FTE victim advocate; 2) attend OVC required training; 3) purchase recording system equipment for conducting child forensic interviews; 4) purchase general office supplies and equipment; 5) lease a vehicle to support job-related activities; and, 6) support federal and state child advocacy group membership to enhance staff performance and program development.