OJJDP FY24 Child Victimization and Juvenile Justice Prosecution Training and Technical Assistance Program

The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys will implement a training and technical assistance program that works to ensure equitable access to justice for children and youth victimized in out-of-home and custodial care, while holding offenders accountable. The purpose of the program is to develop a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, trauma informed, culturally competent, guide to Investigate and Prosecute Cases Involving Children Victimized in Systems Care. Project activities include: national listening sessions of individuals with lived experience; creation of a multi-disciplinary Advisory Council; three national convenings of experts (Summits); a robust web-based webinar series; comprehensive technical assistance capability for prosecutors and child welfare professionals; and a website clearing house of resources and guides for professionals investigating and prosecuting these cases. Expected outcomes include the development of resources to improve the outcome of cases involving children and youth in systems care; protocol changes to forensic interviewing in custodial settings; trauma informed trainings and guidelines; and removal of barriers to accessing justice for youth in foster and custodial care.