OVC-ARC Riverside Online Professional Training Conference 9/9-9/29 2004

WORKSHOP INFORMATION FOR CEU CREDIT

NATIONAL POLICY UPDATE: CHILD MALTREATMENT VICTIMS WITH DISABILITIES
Howard Davidson, Esq,  LL.D.

Workshop Description:
This training will acquaint participants with both recently enacted and
proposed federal law initiatives to help better address the needs of abused
and neglected children with disabilities.  This will include a focus on
amendments to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) that
became effective in June 2004 (these amendments were in a law called the
"Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003").  Special attention will
be paid to one change in the Children's Justice Act that adds this group of
crime victims to the special areas of focus for statewide Children's
Justice Task Forces, as well as to changes that will provide for
substantiated victims of abuse or neglect under age 3 to be referred for
assessments under the Part C, IDEA Early Intervention Program.

Course Outline:

Key Federal Laws Affecting Child Maltreatment Victims with Disabilities
      Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
           Pre-2003 Provisions of Interest
           2003 Amendments
      Children's Justice Act
           Overview of the CJA
           Potential Impact of the New Child Disability Victim Focus
      Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
           Proposed Amendments Related to Child Maltreatment Victims
      Juvenile Justice Act
      Provisions (Including 2002 Amendments) Related to Child Maltreatment
Victims
Issues for Lawyers, Judges, and Advocates
      The Federal Child and Family Service Reviews
           What These Are, And Why They're Important
           State Failures to Address "Well Being" of Foster Children
      Enhancing Court Attention to the Needs of Children with Disabilities
           Need for Special Training for Judges, Attorneys, and CASA
           Using the State Court Improvement Program Committees as Reform
      Vehicles
Other Proposals for Law and Policy Change Related to Foster Children with
Mental Health Needs
      Suggested Changes in Federal Law and Policy
      Better Collaboration Between Child Protection and Mental
Health/Disability Agencies

Learning Objectives:

Understand relevant federal laws and how to utilize them effectively in
advocacy
Consider new advocacy strategies to aid child maltreatment victims with
disabilities
Appreciate ways in which lawyers and judges can aid in better serving this
population of children