AB 883, as introduced, Cooley. Child sexual abuse: prevention and intervention programs.
Existing law authorizes the Office of Child Abuse Prevention to fund, through allocations provided to local counties, child abuse and neglect prevention and intervention programs.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to create a pilot program in each county to fully fund agencies and private or nonprofit programs that provide child sexual abuse prevention and intervention services. The bill would provide that public and private agencies shall be eligible for this funding if specified evidence is provided and would encourage counties to give priority for funding to existing programs that have demonstrated effectiveness in child sexual abuse or prevention. The bill would also make related findings and declarations.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
The Legislature finds and declares all of the
2following:
P2 1(a) Children are a precious resource in the state and country.
2(b) Victims of child abuse and neglect are at higher risk for
3alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, eating disorders, obesity,
4suicide, and other chronic adult health problems.
5(c) Child abuse and neglect costs the United States at least $97.5
6billion per year.
7(d) Preventative services and training can significantly reduce
8the incidences of child abuse, stabilize families, and contribute to
9a reduction in
crime.
Article 7 (commencing with Section 18974) is added
11to Chapter 11 of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions
12Code, to read:
13
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to fully fund
18agencies and private or nonprofit programs that provide child
19sexual abuse prevention and intervention services by creating a
20pilot program in each county to provide those services.
21(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide a minimum of
22$70,000 to each county for the pilot program.
23(c) Each county is encouraged to efficiently use these funds by
24giving priority to programs currently serving the needs of children
25at risk of sexual abuse that have demonstrated effectiveness in
26child sexual abuse prevention or intervention.
Public and private agencies shall be eligible for
28funding provided that evidence is submitted as part of the
29application for funding to demonstrate broad-based community
30support. The evidence shall further demonstrate that the proposed
31services are not duplicated in the community, are based on needs
32of children at risk, and are supported by a local public agency,
33including, but not limited to, one of the following:
34(a) The county welfare department.
35(b) A public law enforcement agency.
36(c) The county probation department.
37(d) The county board of supervisors.
38(e) The county public health department.
39(f) The county mental health department.
P3 1(g) The school district.
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