In Support of Funding for Strengthening Abuse and Neglect Courts Act
Resolution 10 In Support of Funding for Strengthening Abuse and Neglect Courts Act
The Conference of Chief Justices recognizes that:
- Securing safe, permanent homes for children is of critical importance.
- The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA) provides essential structure and accountability to ensure that the nation's children are cared for in safe, permanent homes.
- State courts are committed to the effective implementation of ASFA.
- Historically, state courts have not been included in the allocation of federal funding, despite the need for such funding to effectively carry out responsibilities assigned by Congress under ASFA.
- In 2001, Congress enacted legislation — P.L. 106-314, known as the Strengthening Abuse and Neglect Courts Act (SANCA) — to assist state courts in implementing ASFA.
- The goals and objectives of SANCA include:
- Developing automated tracking systems;
- Reducing case backlogs;
- Increasing training for judges and non-judicial personnel;
- Providing best practices information; and
- Increasing support for guardian ad litem programs, such as Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs.
- Congress appropriated partial funding for SANCA for Fiscal Year 2002.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices urges Congress to increase the appropriated funds to the authorized levels in P.L. 106-314 to provide the needed federal funding to assist state courts in implementing the provisions of ASFA.
Adopted as proposed by the Courts, Children and Families Committee of the Conference of Chief Justices at the 25th Midyear Meeting in Tucson, Arizona on January 24, 2002.