SECTIONS 18952-18958 - California Statutes

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE

SECTION 18952-18958

18952. There is hereby established in the State Department of
Social Services an Office of Child Abuse Prevention which shall be
administered by a chief who is subject to civil service rules and
regulations and has recognized training and experience in child abuse
prevention.

18953. The office shall employ such personnel as is necessary to
carry out the provisions of this chapter, subject to civil service
rules and regulations.

18953.5. The Office of Child Abuse Prevention may fund the various
programs established pursuant to this chapter, Chapter 12 (commencing
with Section 18975), and Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section
18980) by means of grants rather than contracts. The grants shall not
be subject to the review specified in Section 10295 of the Public
Contract Code.

18953.7. The Office of Child Abuse Prevention may renew grants not
to exceed three years in duration on condition that the grant is
reviewed annually and the grantee is found to be satisfactorily
meeting the grant objectives.

18955. In the exercise of its authority under Section 18954 the
office shall develop plans to fulfill the requirements of any federal
act providing for the establishment and maintenance of pilot
projects for the prevention, identification, and treatment of child
abuse to facilitate the receipt and allocation of federal funds for
planning, research, demonstration and special project grants. The
office shall submit its recommendations concerning applications for
federal funds to the Health and Welfare Agency to be forwarded to the
appropriate federal agency.

18955.1. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Office of
Child Abuse Prevention shall make every attempt to qualify projects
implemented pursuant to this chapter for federal funding. To that
extent, should any provisions of this chapter prevent federal funding
for projects implemented pursuant to this chapter, those provisions
of this chapter shall be rendered inoperative.

18958. The Office of Child Abuse Prevention shall apply for federal
funding for the administration of its functions under this chapter.
The office shall use these funds to do all of the following:
(a) Provide technical assistance (directly or through grant or
contract pursuant to Section 16304 of the Government Code) to public
and private agencies and organizations to assist them in planning,
improving, developing, and carrying out programs and activities
relating to the prevention, identification, and treatment of child
abuse and neglect.
(b) Compile training materials for personnel who are engaged or
intend to engage in the prevention, identification, and treatment of
child abuse and neglect.
(c) Assist and provide funds for the coordination of child abuse
prevention programs.
(d) Develop and establish other innovation programs in child abuse
prevention where the office finds a need for the programs.
(e) Conduct research and collect data relevant to the
determination of the effectiveness of child abuse prevention
programs.