FY2020 Cherokee Nation Safe Babies Enhancement Project

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.

This project is modeled after the ZERO to THREE: Safe Babies, Strong Families, and Healthy Communities, which is based on the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Model. The Safe Babies Court Team (Team) will be focused on improving how courts, child welfare agencies, and related child serving organizations work together, share information, and expedite services. Grant funds will be used to hire one coach and two (2) Case Aides who will improve the capacity of Cherokee Nation Human Services to deliver victim advocacy for criminal child abuse and neglect cases. (CA/NCF)