FY 2003 OJJDP DISCRETIONARY CONTINUATION PROGRAMS - CHILD PROTECTION

The FY 1998 Justice Appropriations Act, Public Law 105-119 authorized $2.4 million to OJJDP to stimulate the creation of "State and local law enforcement cyber units to investigate childsexual exploitation" by offenders using the Internet or online communications technology. OJJDP developed the ICAC Task Force Program to assist State and local law enforcement agencies to acquire the necessary knowledge, equipment, and personnel resources to prevent, interdict, or investigate ICAC offenses.

In FY 1998, ten agencies (1st Tier) received ICAC Task Force cooperative agreements. Subsequent annual funding has allowed for the expansion of the ICAC program to grow to 36 Task Forces. Under this program, these agencies serve as regional sources of prevention, education, and investigative expertise to provide assistance to parents, teachers, law enforcement, and other professionals working on child victimization issues.

Using OJJDP funds, the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team will continue to operate an ICAC Investigative Satellite, and as such, work with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to create a multi-agency, multi- disciplinary response to ICAC offenses in Missouri that is composed of federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and child welfare organizations to: 1) conduct reactive and proactive ICAC investigations; 2) develop a prevention education program; 3) establish a case management system; 4) develop standardized protocol for interagency referrals; and 5) increase forensic and investigative capacity through the acquisition of specialized training and equipment.

CA/CF