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COMMUNITY-BASED FAMILY RESOURCES
AND SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM
The American Psychological Association (APA) recommends funding at the authorized level of $66 million for the Community-Based Family Resource and Support Grants program (CBFRS), which provides needed support to vulnerable children and their families through the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Child abuse is a growing problem. Between 1988 and 1997, the number of children reported as victims of abuse or neglect rose 41%. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimated in 1995 that five children die every day from abuse or neglect and that, for children under 5, deaths from abuse and neglect outnumber those from falls, fires, suffocation, drowning, choking on food, or car accidents.
Responding to child abuse is more expensive than preventing it. A 1993 report estimated that the cost of child welfare, health care, and out-of-home care for abused and neglected children is over $9 billion annually. Each child abuse case costs about $2000 just for an investigation and initial short-term placement. These figures do not include the long-term physical and mental health consequences for children who have been maltreated. Strong prevention programs can reduce these personal, social, and financial costs.
CBFRS funding has not kept pace with the rate of child maltreatment. CBFRS is currently authorized at $66 million, but it received appropriations of only $33 million in FY 97, FY 98, and FY99.
CBFRS program history. CBFRS was created in the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) Amendments of 1996 by combining the authority for the Community-Based Family Resource Programs, the Temporary Child Care for Children with Disabilities and Crisis Nurseries Program, and the Family Support Program of the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act.
CBFRS SERVICES
CBFRS helps prevent child abuse. CBFRS constitutes the core federal effort to prevent child maltreatment through community-based, family-centered programs. It supports such crucial abuse prevention services as parenting classes, crisis nurseries, home visitors, sexual abuse prevention counseling, respite care for families with disabled children, and programs to decrease the risk of homelessness.
CBFRS supports state efforts to strengthen families and communities. Through formula grants, CBFRS supports state efforts to develop, operate, and expand a network of community- based, prevention-focused family resource and support programs that coordinate resources among existing public and private organizations.
CBFRS helps states and communities develop programs to address their specific needs. Such services focus primarily on developing a continuum of preventive services for children and families; addressing specific unmet needs of families in a community; maximizing funding for establishing, operating, or expanding a statewide network of community-based, prevention- focused, family resource and support programs; and financing public information activities that focus on the healthy, positive development of parents and children and promote the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
RECOMMENDATIONS
CBFRS should be funded in FY2000 at the authorized level of $66 million.
CBFRS should continue to support programs that enhance the stability and mental health of at-risk families.
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Daniel Dodgen, Ph.D.
Senior Legislative and Federal Affairs Officer
Public Policy Office
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone 202-336-6062
FAX 202 336-6063
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