Children's Justice Act Grant Information

Since 1987, the state of Washington has received the Children’s Justice Act (CJA) Grant to develop, establish and operate programs designed to improve:

  • The handling of child abuse and neglect cases, particularly cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation, in a manner which limits additional trauma to the child victim.
  • The handling of cases of suspected child abuse or neglect related fatalities.
  • The investigation and prosecution of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation.
  • The handling of cases involving children with disabilities or serious health related problems who are victims of abuse or neglect.

Washington State Children’s Justice Act Grant Application

Current Program Instructions (PI)
The purpose of this PI is to set forth the eligibility requirements and the grant application procedures for FY 2023 Children’s Justice Act (CJA) grants and to provide the tentative State allocation table.

Three Year Review & Assessment

Section 107(d) of the Act requires the State Task Force to undertake a comprehensive review and evaluation of the investigative, administrative, and both civil and criminal judicial handling of cases of child abuse and neglect and to make training and policy recommendations in each of the three categories in Section 107(e)(1)(A), (B) and (C). The State Task Force assessment (review, evaluation, and recommendations) is required for an initial application and at three-year intervals thereafter.

The State Task Force conducted a Three-Year Review & Assessment in the following years: 1988, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021.

An analysis and review of the statewide children’s justice systems was conducted, and recommendations for improvements to those systems were presented to DCYF.