Louisiana Children’s Justice Act (CJA)

Louisiana Children’s Justice Act Task Force

Three-Year Recommendations
2012-2015

KEY:
CJA Categories:
A = handling of cases of child abuse and neglect
B = innovative program development to improve the prompt and successful resolution of court proceedings or enhance effective judicial and administrative action in child abuse and neglect cases
C = reform of state laws, ordinances, regulations, protocols, and procedures

Recommendation Type:
(T) = Training Recommendation
Policy Recommendations are reflected throughout the document and are not specifically labeled.

Mission Statement: Work collaboratively to improve investigative, administrative, prosecutorial, and judicial processes for child victims of abuse and neglect by advancing systemic reform through innovative and evidence based policies, programs, practices, and training.

CJA Category	RECOMMENDED GOALS	PROPOSED STRATEGIES	PRIORITY
Collaboration
A-C	1. Support and Strengthen CJA Infrastructure	Performance Measures – activities and outcomes: Task Force Self-Evaluation Grantee Presentations/Reports on Goals and Objectives Convey/share CJA performance with community and to other agencies Participate in Required Annual CJA Meeting hosted by the U.S. Children’s Bureau Support quarterly LA CJA Task Force meetings	Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3
A-C	2. Collaborate with Child Welfare Stakeholders to Improve Processes/Outcomes for Child Victims of Abuse and Neglect	CJA Fellow (Part-time with Travel included) 2. Courts – Support specialization Education – Mandatory Reporting Youth Planning Board Louisiana Children’s Code State Death Review Panel	Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1 Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3
B- C	3. Support Establishment of Child Welfare Center of Excellence	Partner with Pelican Center to provide: Policy Analysis, Training, Technical Assistance & Legislation as needed	Y1, Y2, Y3
Child Victims with Disabilities
A	1. Increase Cross Training (T)	Assist with institutionalizing the training for skills & knowledge to include interviewing to prevent additional trauma to the victim	Y2,Y3
Laws & Protocols
A, C	1. Promote the safety, permanency & well-being for child victims of abuse/neglect (T)	Monitor enactment and implementation of federal legislation and policies Support responsive laws and internal policies	Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3
A, C	2. Advance Effective Substance Abuse Intervention Processes (T)	Promote family drug court programming/alternative processes for timely access to treatment/intervention for substance abusing parents Monitor legislation targeting substance abusing moms	Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3
Programs to Improve Process
A-C	1. Advance Quality Advocacy for Children (T)	Caring & competent CASA volunteers in every JDC Access in every community to a CAC Support initiatives to improve legal representation of children & indigent parents	Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3
A-C	2. Foster Collaboration at the Community Level to Improve System Response to Child Abuse/Neglect (T)	1. Child Death Review 2. Children born to substance abusers with focus on children 0-5	Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3
A-C	3. Advance Initiatives which Engage Children, Youth, and Families in the Decision Making Process (T)	Alternative Response Disproportionate Minority Representation & Disparate Treatment of Children of Color (formerly known as Knowing Who You Are) Trainer Development & Implementation Support LA CSFR/PIP	Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3
Training/Resources
A, C	1. Enhance access to current evidence-driven knowledge (T)	Continue CLARO Website. Links with Midwest CAC Include Human Trafficking	Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3
A, C	1. Maximize opportunities for collaboration on training processes (T)	Support Conferences related to CJA mission – ensure child focus to child welfare professionals Assess gaps in all supported conferences in attendance representation & address in planning for upcoming conferences supported by CJA Continue Practice Toolkit targeted to all professionals Collaborate with Pelican Center [formerly known as Child Welfare Center of Excellence (CWCOE)] to maximize access to training Pursue open discussions with physicians, emergency room physicians, coroners, first responders, law enforcement to develop training on effective interviewing skills, crime scenes, rape kits and forensic sexual exams Ongoing Professional Training appropriate to different levels of staff Include Human Trafficking Ongoing & expand regional MDT training	Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3 Y1, Y2, Y3

Louisiana Children’s Justice Act (CJA)

Louisiana Children’s Justice Act Task Force

CJA

Category

RECOMMENDED GOALS

PROPOSED STRATEGIES

PRIORITY

Collaboration

Directory

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