CJA TASK FORCE MEETING - Texas Center for the …...Austin, TX (512) 487-3396...

CJA TASK FORCE MEETING

October 3, 2013, 9:00 am-1:00 pm Rio Grande B, Courtyard by Marriott – Austin Downtown

300 E 4th St. Austin, TX 78701

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Agenda……………………………………………………………………………… 3

Task Force Roster…………………………………………………………………. 4

Meeting Minutes (7/12/13)………………………………………………………… 6

2014 Grant Summaries..…………………………………………………………... 9

2014 Grantee Milestones…………………………………………………………… 28

2014 Budget…………………………………………………………………………. 34

Committee Rosters…………………………………………………………………. 35

Committee Scope of Work………………………………………………………… 38

News/Resources…………………………………………………………………….. 41

Children’s Justice Act Task Force

Quarterly Task Force Meeting October 3, 2013

9:00 AM- 12:30 PM

AGENDA

8:30 Networking Breakfast

9:00 Welcome and Introductions (New Members) – Honorable Chris Oldner

9:20 Approval of July 12, 2013 meeting minutes – Action Item

9:25 2013-2014 Grant Projects – Heidi Penix

10:05 Budget Report – Heidi Penix

10:15 Break

10:30 Project Spotlight: Harris County Institute of Forensic Science – Jennifer Love

10:50 Project Spotlight: Texas Council on Family Violence – Krista DelGallo

11:15 Committee Assignments and Charges – Kriste Burnett/Heidi Penix

11:25 Committee Breakouts and Action Plans (Working Lunch)

12:00 Report Out on Committee Plans

12:30 Adjourn

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TX Children’s Justice Act Task Force Members 2013-2014

Chris Oldner, Chair District Judge 416

th Judicial District Court

2100 Bloomdale, Suite 20030 McKinney, TX 75071 (972) 548-4520 [email protected]

Kriste Burnett, Vice-Chair Attorney at Law 904 W. Henderson Cleburne, TX 76033 (817) 648-0002 [email protected]

Tony Bradley, Chair-Elect Lieutenant/Supervisor, Rural Child Abuse Task Force Collin County Sheriff 2205 Los Rios Blvd Plano, TX 75074 (972) 633-6626 [email protected]

Isidro Alaniz District Attorney Webb Country District Attorney’s Office 1110 Victoria, Suite 401 Laredo, TX 78040 (956) 523-4912 [email protected]

Irene Clements President Texas Foster Families Association 1102 Prairie Ridge Pflugerville, TX 78660 (512) 775-1024 [email protected]

Cathy Crabtree Director of Chapter Development National Children’s Alliance 9600 Great Hills Drive, Suite. 150W Austin, TX 78759 (512) 971-2367 [email protected]

Audrey Deckinga CPS Assistant Commissioner Texas Department of Family and Protective Services 701 W. 51

st St (MC: E 557)

Austin, TX 78751 (512) 438-5776 [email protected]

Jon Evans Attorney at Law 806 W. 11

th St

Austin, TX 78701 (512) 476-4075 [email protected]

Kristen Foster Director of Employee Relations Austin Independent School District 1111 W. 6

th St

Austin, TX 78703 (512) 414-1431 [email protected] [email protected]

Joyce James Associate Deputy Executive Commissioner Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities Texas Health & Human Services Commission Austin, TX (512) 487-3396 [email protected]

Aurora Martinez Jones Attorney at Law The Martinez Jones Law Firm, PLLC PO Box 82331 Austin, TX 78708 (512) 452-1555 [email protected]

Randi King Assistant District Attorney Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office 1001 Pearl St, 3

rd Floor

Beaumont, TX 77701 (409) 835-8615 [email protected] [email protected]

Kris Linenberger Training Manager Texas Homeless Network 1713 Fortview Rd Austin, TX 78704 (512) 482-8270 [email protected]

Gabriel Martinez, Jr. Captain, Special Projects City of Laredo Police Department 4712 Maher Ave Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 795-2899 [email protected]

Lindsay Mullins Legislative Director and General Counsel State Senator Joan Huffman 6206 Naranja Lane Austin, TX 78749 (512) 826-6334 [email protected]

Sandeep Narang Child Abuse Pediatrician University of Texas Health Science Center 6431 Fannin St MSB 3.020 Houston, TX 77030 [email protected]

Daniela Ontiveroz Youth Specialist Texas Department of Family and Protective Services 901 Wall St Midland, TX 79701 (432) 686-2297 (432) 557-3400 cell [email protected]

Julie Prudhome Clinical Director Garth House, Mickey Mehaffy CAC 1895 McFaddin Beaumont, TX 77701 (409) 838-9084 [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]






mailto:audrey.deckinga@dfps











TX Children’s Justice Act Task Force Members 2013-2014

Joy Rauls Executive Director Children Advocacy Centers of Texas 1501 W. Anderson Lane, Suite B-1 Austin, TX 78757 (512) 258-9920 [email protected]

Monica Reyes Parent Liaison The Children’s Partnership/Travis County Health and Human Services 100 IH35 North Austin, TX 78701 (512) 854-7872 [email protected]

Dean Rucker District Judge 318

th Family District Court

500 N. Laraine St, Suite 900 Midland, TX 79701 (432) 688-4390 [email protected]

Craig Spinn Superintendent of Schools Thorndale ISD 300 North Main PO Box 870 Thorndale, TX 76577 (830) 798-7311 [email protected]

Vicki Spriggs CEO Texas CASA, Inc. 1501 W. Anderson Lane, Suite B-2 Austin, TX 78757 (512) 473-2627 [email protected]

Nhung Tran Asst. Professor of Pediatrics Texas A&M College of Medicine Scott and White Healthcare Department of Pediatrics 2401 S. 31

st St

Temple, TX 76508 (254) 724-6060 [email protected]

Laura Wolf Executive Director CASA of Travis County 7701 N. Lamar BLVD, #301 Austin, TX 78752 (512) 539-2665 [email protected]

LaRu Woody Former Director, Family Justice Division Travis County District Attorney’s Office 1801 Santa Clara St. Austin, TX 78757 (512) 779-9013 [email protected]

Staff

Heidi Penix Program Director (512) 482-8986 (517) 974-8009 cell [email protected]

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MINUTES of Texas Children’s Justice Act Task Force Meeting Date: July 12, 2013

Call to order: A regular meeting of the Texas Children’s Justice Act Task Force (CJA) was held at the Courtyard Marriott in downtown Austin, TX on July 12, 2013. The meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. with Cathy Crabtree, CJA Task Force Vice Chair, presiding. Members in attendance: Tony Bradley, Kriste Burnett, Irene Clements, Cathy Crabtree, De Shaun Ealoms, Kristen Foster, Denise Hyde, Joyce James, Margaret Lalk, James Lukefahr, Gabriel Martinez, Chris Oldner, Daniela Ontiveroz, Dan Powers, Julie Prudhome, Joy Rauls, Craig Spinn, Nhung Tran, Laura Wolf, LaRu Woody Members not in attendance: Audrey Deckinga, Jon Evans, Randi King, Kris Linenberger, Dean Rucker, Vicki Spriggs Also in attendance: Catherine Bass, Heather Bradford, Dan Capouch, Kelly Cleveland, Cathy Cockerham, Jennifer Morales, Heidi Penix Welcome and Introductions by Cathy Crabtree. Ms. Crabtree welcomed members and guests. Introductions were made around the room. Ms. Crabtree announced that Heidi Penix will be taking over the role of CJA Project Director. Approval of past meeting minutes: CJA meeting minutes from April 05, 2013 were disseminated to the Task Force members via email three days prior to the Task Force meeting. Revised minutes were handed out at the July 12, 2013 Task Force meeting. Minor changes were made to correct errors in the recorded attendance but there was no change to the content. Minutes were approved without objection. Project Spotlight: Increasing Access to Medical Assessments by Catherine Bass with CACTX. Ms. Bass presented on the results of the CACTX project “Increasing Access to Child Abuse Medical Evaluations.” CACTX partnered with University of Texas to conduct the statewide study. The study looked at four key questions:

1. What are the current practices for obtaining child abuse medical evaluations across Texas? 2. How do these practices vary by community size and other community characteristics? 3. What factors increase or decrease the likelihood a child will receive a medical evaluation in an alleged

child abuse case? 4. What can be done to improve practices for obtaining child abuse medical evaluations in Texas?

The methodology included qualitative data obtained through focus groups and interviews as well as quantitative data obtained through an online survey. Ms. Bass identified the main barriers to child abuse assessments: capacity, SANE concerns, cost, MDT functioning, and lack of training. The resulting recommendations will require local and state-level stakeholders, legislators, and community partners to come together to identify strategies for implementation. Specific recommendations include developing expertise among MDT members to promote referrals for medical evaluations, improving access to training for nurses in rural/small and mid-sized communities who seek SANE certifications, streamlining CVC billing and reimbursement processes for PHAB evaluations, developing statewide guidelines that define criteria for when an evaluation is required, assisting MEDCARES network in achieving the long term vision of ensuring accessibility in all areas of the state, increasing motivation for hospitals and medical providers to invest in infrastructure and programs for victims of child abuse, and improving training on pertinent topics for MDT members and community partners. Legislative Update by Heather Bradford and Kelly Cleveland with DFPS. Ms. Bradford first presented an overview of the fiscal year 2014-2015 budget decisions affecting DFPS. Key budgetary highlights include

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funds for additional direct delivery staff to maintain FY 2013 caseloads for CPS Investigations and Conservatorship, funds to restore statewide matching for post-adoption services, additional funds for updates to IMPACT and CLASS, funds to improve staff retention, foster care rate increases, and increased funding for prevention services. Ms. Bradford also presented key legislation that passed during the regular session. Some of the bills discussed related to improving visitation between parents and children who are in temporary managing conservatorship (TMC) of DFPS, securing course credit for students in foster care who experience school disruptions, increased requirements for attorneys ad litem appointed to children and parent in a CPS suit, life-skills training for foster youth, oversight of psychotropic medications for children in DFPS conservatorship, and the expansion of education-related responsibilities for DFPS staff, guardians ad litem, attorneys ad litem, and school staff. Membership Committee Report by James Lukefahr, Membership Committee Co-Chair. Dr. Lukefahr presented the Task Force Membership Committee Report. He reviewed the process for the recruitment and selection of the new Task Force members. This year the Task Force received 13 recommendations for new members. The Committee met by conference call on May 14th and determined which of the recommended candidates to nominate for Task Force membership. Nominations were based on primary/secondary expertise as well as Task Force priority of membership diversity. The following candidates were nominated:

1. Aurora Martinez Jones – Child Advocate/Legal 2. Monica Reyes – Parent Representative/Advocate 3. Sandeep Narang – Medical-Child Abuse Specialist 4. Lindsay Mullins – Government Affairs Professional 5. Isidro Alaniz – District Attorney

The Task Force agreed to pass the entire slate of nominees with a single vote. Cathy Crabtree asked for a motion to recommend approving the five nominations. Motion to approve, motion was seconded. All in favor; none opposed. The Membership Committee presented a slate of current Task Force members up for re-election. The following Task Force members had been contacted prior to the meeting and agreed to be re-elected to serve on the Task Force:

1. Kriste Burnett – 3rd Term 2. Joyce James – 3rd Term 3. Randi King – 3rd Term 4. Chris Oldner – 3rd Term 5. Daniela Ontiveroz – 3rd Term 6. Kris Linenberger – 2nd Term 7. LaRu Woody – 2nd Term

Cathy Crabtree requested a motion to approve the slate of members for re-election. Motion to approve, motion was seconded. All in favor; none opposed. Finally, the Membership Committee presented recommendations for officer positions. The positions of Chair Elect and Vice Chair will be vacant in 2014. On June 24th, the Membership Committee met by conference call and nominated Tony Bradley for Chair Elect and Kriste Burnett for Vice Chair. Chris Oldner will move from the position of Chair Elect to Chair. Motion to approve officers; seconded and approved. All in favor; none opposed.

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Recognition of outgoing Task Force: The Task Force recognized the service of five outgoing members:

DeShaun Ealoms, Parent Program Specialist, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Denise Hyde, Attorney at Law

Margaret Lalk, Attorney at Law

James Lukefahr, Child Abuse Pediatrician, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio

Dan Powers, Senior Vice President of Clinical and Administrative Services, CAC of Collin County Outgoing members received words of appreciation from their fellow Task Force members as well as certificates to acknowledge their years of service. Except for Dan Powers. He received an empty folder. Quarterly Task Force Education: Empirically-Supported Treatments for Traumatized Children by Julie Prudhome, Clinical Director, Garth House, Mickey Mehaffy CAC of Beaumont. Julie began her presentation by defining Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and some of the associated signs/symptoms. She defined Evidence-based Practice and Empirically-Supported Treatments (ESTs) and explained the importance of using ESTs. Julie discussed the following treatments:

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Child Directed Interaction Julie also discussed the importance of maintaining fidelity to the model versus “drift” and having ongoing consultation and supervision. The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

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CACTX – Ensuring Access to Justice for Child Maltreatment Victims with Disabilities or Special Health Care Needs

Grantee: Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, Inc.

Project Title: Ensuring Access to Justice for Child Maltreatment Victims with Disabilities or Special

Health Care Needs

Task Force Priority: Improve Multidisciplinary Response to Child Maltreatment Victims with Disabilities

or Special Healthcare Needs

Project Budget: $30,000

Summary: Children with developmental disabilities have a heightened risk for sexual abuse compared

to those children without disabilities and they are also more likely to delay disclosure than non-disabled

children. Because of delayed disclosure, the likelihood of finding any physical evidence is significantly

reduced, often leaving the child’s statement as the sole evidence available to investigators.

Unfortunately, the combination of circumstances all too often results in children with disabilities not

having full access to justice. Investigators and prosecutors who do not have specialized training in

working with children with disabilities doubt the efficacy of these cases and may not believe they can be

pursued to a satisfactory end. However, studies indicate that children with disabilities are able to

explain what happened to them and can be reliable witnesses when appropriate measures are taken to

understand their conditions and implement alternative options that are useful for gathering forensic

evidence and building a case. In order to effectively investigate an abuse case that involves a child with

disabilities, it is imperative that forensic interviewers and child protection officials have the proper

training and resources.

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, Inc. (CACTX) recognized the need for this kind of capacity building

in their programming for the forensic interview, which is a critical piece of the investigative and

prosecutorial processes. In fiscal year 2013 (FY13), CACTX was award a CJA grant to create an extended,

multiple-session forensic interview (MSFI) process for interviewing children with disabilities so that the

child’s statement could be take in a non-suggestive and non-leading way, but without the constraints of

the standard one-session forensic interview format. CACTX is currently implementing this grant and has

made significant progress in developing the training curriculum and a toolkit that outlines when a MSFI

is warranted and how to implement the process. In fiscal year 2014, CACTX will provide the MSFI

training to the field, develop technical assistance materials for multidisciplinary team (MDT) members

and expand CACTX training capacity.

The goal of this project is to build the capacity of and educate forensic interviewers and MDT members

across the state to understand the multiple-session forensic interview process and how it can be useful

in working with children with disabilities.

CACTX will meet this goal by completing the process that began with the FY13 CJA grant. The objectives

for this portion of the project include:

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CACTX – Ensuring Access to Justice for Child Maltreatment Victims with Disabilities or Special Health Care Needs

Delivery of training to forensic interviewers and other MDT members on the utilization of the

multiple-session forensic interview technique; and

Development of a web-based training to educate CAC staff and MDT members on the use and

effectiveness of multiple-session forensic interviews.

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CACTX-Enhancing Multidisciplinary Team Response Grantee: Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas (CACTX)

Project Title: Enhancing Multidisciplinary Team Response through Expanded Programming for Texas

Children’s Advocacy Centers

Task Force Priority: Enhance Multidisciplinary Team Response and Coordination

Project Budget: $124,000.00

Summary: The goals of children’s advocacy centers (CACs) are to reduce the re-victimization of child

victims of abuse, facilitate prosecution through effective fact-finding and strong case development, and

provide a comprehensive array of services to help abused children and their non-offending family

members/caregivers recover from the trauma. A comprehensive, child-centered approach that includes

a high functioning multidisciplinary team (MDT), a strong advocacy component, and evidence-based

mental health programming is critical to ensuring the realization of these goals. Children’s Advocacy

Centers of Texas recognizes that CACs and MDTs must also evolve over time to keep pace with current

research and best practices. Therefore, it has recently completed a comprehensive revision of its

standards for Texas CACs to strengthen infrastructure and emphasize key components for a quality

system. The new standards, which will go into effect on September 1, 2013, are each supported by

evidence-based practices and will lead to more in-depth coordination of services to children and a more

comprehensive level of care. As the membership association for the 66 CACs in the state, CACTX assists

centers by providing high quality professional training, technical assistance, and support designed to

strengthen the skills, functioning, and leadership of their multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and highly

specialized professionals employed by local centers. CACTX’s activities and offerings will expand in FY14

as the newly revised standards for CACs go into effect. Texas centers will have one year to become fully

compliant with the revised standards and new and enhanced training will be needed to ensure all CACs

are equipped to meet the more comprehensive requirements.

In fiscal year 2014, CACTX will continue to offer in-depth training for all CAC staff and MDT members, as

well as provide new training offerings – both in-person and online - aimed at enhancing MDT

coordination and operation. Further, it will expand its capacity in forensic interviewing by adding

additional instructors to provide core and advanced courses. This expansion will help alleviate wait lists

which can often impair a center’s ability to get new interviewers on board and interviewing.

In FY2014, CACTX has the goal of expanding its programming for CACs and MDTs to address the evolving

needs in the field and requirements under the revised, elevated standards as well as the need for

continuous improvement. As research in the field continuous to evolve, all CACTX programming will be

revised to reflect recommended best practices. The overall goal of this project is to ensure the

accessibility, stability and quality of a coordinated, victim-centered, multidisciplinary approach to

services for child victims throughout the state and their non-offending family members/caregivers. To

reach this goal, CAC staff and MDT members must have training and technical assistance.

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CACTX-Enhancing Multidisciplinary Team Response CACTX will meet this goal by achieving the following objectives:

1. Develop and/or provide in-depth, relevant and accessible training and technical assistance that

will improve and support:

a. Case coordination and functioning of MDTs addressing the issues of child abuse

investigation, prosecution and intervention;

b. Evidence-based/trauma-informed intervention and treatment services for child victims

and their non-offending family members/caregivers; and

c. Coordination of advocacy services to achieve the best outcomes for children and their

non-offending family members/caregivers.

2. Build additional capacity to provide introductory and advanced training for forensic interviewers

that is specific to Texas CACs.

3. Develop new online capabilities that will allow MDT members and CAC staff to access specific

cross-training modules from remote locations. Web-based modules will be developed on the

topics below to address cross-training needs and improve understanding of team members’

core functions:

a. CPS – who they are and the mandates they must follow in investigating child abuse

cases;

b. Law enforcement – the various entities that serve on MDTs and the mandates they must

follow in investigating child abuse cases;

c. Prosecutors – the various entities that serve on MDTs and the mandates they must

follow in prosecuting child abuse; and

d. MDT Orientation – training for new team members on the CAC model.

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Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas- Increasing Access to Quality Medical Assessments for Child Maltreatment Victims

Grantee: Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, Inc.

Project Title: Increasing Access to Medical Evaluations for Child Maltreatment Victims

Task Force Priority: Improve Access to Quality Medical Assessments for Child Maltreatment Victims


Summary: Child abuse medical evaluations are an important part of a comprehensive multidisciplinary

team (MDT) response when investigating allegations of abuse. The percentage of Texas CAC clients

receiving a medical evaluation is significantly lower than the national average, and for mid-sized and

rural communities, it is much more so. In fiscal year 2013, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas

(CACTX) worked with the University of Texas at Austin’s Child and Family Research Institute (CFRI) at

the School of Social Work to 1) examine current practices across Texas for obtaining medical

evaluations in alleged abuse cases, and 2) identify strategies to mitigate barriers and improve access to

medical evaluations.

The outcome data identified several barriers that prevent a higher percentage of children from receiving medical evaluations; however, addressing those issues effectively will require a multifaceted approach that involves local and state level stakeholders, legislators and community partners coming together to identify strategies and funding sources for implementation. Through this project, CACTX will develop and provide training and technical assistance materials to CAC staff, MDT members and local medical community members to lay the groundwork upon which future initiatives can further expand. CACTX will also work with the Office of Attorney General, legislators and subject matter experts to effect policy changes at the state level that would help to streamline processes and improve access to services.

This approach will help educate pertinent stakeholders and establish a consistent frame of reference for future action. It is anticipated that by developing and providing quality training and resources in a variety of formats to CAC staff, MDT members, and medical community partners, more children who are victims of maltreatment will have access to qualified medical professionals who can provide the needed services.

The goal of this project is to strengthen medical components within the 68 CACs across the state so that more children who are victims of maltreatment will have access to qualified medical professionals who can provide needed evaluations.

Objectives:

CACTX will meet this goal by taking the initial steps to operationalize at a systemic level the

recommendations from the CFRI study. This includes:

Providing educative resources in various formats to pertinent stakeholders in order to

establish a consistent basis upon which to further develop state and local capacity; and

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Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas- Increasing Access to Quality Medical Assessments for Child Maltreatment Victims

Working with state-level stakeholders to effect policy changes that will streamline current

procedures and expand access to needed services.

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Harris County IFS- Method of Evaluation of Bone Health in Infants and Young Children

Grantee: Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences

Project Title: Development of a Method to Evaluate Bone Health of Infants and Young Children in the

Medical Examiner Setting and Emergency Department

Task Force Priority: Improve Multidisciplinary Response to Suspected Child Maltreatment Related

Fatalities


Summary: Child abuse cases form one of the most contentious areas of medicolegal investigation.

Physicians are responsible for determining with reasonable medical certainty the cause of a specific

injury pattern observed in a child. This opinion must be rendered with comprehensive knowledge of the

case, including: medical history, events surrounding the injury, and police and/or child protective

services reports. Often the diagnosis of child abuse is based on the absence of evidence to support

alternative hypotheses.

Often skeletal trauma in children is considered non-accidental injury (i.e. child abuse) when the bone is

in good health and the injury history is inconsistent with the fracture type and/or pattern. Clinically, “in

good health” means the bone is of normal bone mineral density (BMD). Highly accurate and precise

instruments are available to measure BMD in adult bones: dual energy X-ray absorption (DXA) and

quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Additionally, biochemical assay can show serum levels

indicative of poor bone quality. However, assessment of BMD in the emergency department and

medical examiner setting is hindered by several obstacles. Blood chemistry analysis is not applicable to

postmortem specimens. DXA and QCT scans require advance scheduling in the hospital setting, and

installation of DXA and QCT equipment is not practical, nor is it realistically available, within a medical

examiner budget. Yet, even with access to DXA and QCT equipment, the standards for infants are poorly

defined.

In the absence of blood chemistries and QCT and DXA scans, physicians assess bone health

through visual evaluation of skeletal radiographs. Atypical bony features, such as sparse and

rarefied trabeculae, thinned cortical bone, bowed shafts, flared metaphyses, and ringed epiphyses are

recognized as signatures of low BMD. However, recent research shows that there is high interobserver

error associated with this qualitative analysis. Also, approximately 30% of BMD loss is required before

manifestation of gross radiological changes, and even this can vary depending on the radiograph

technique. Therefore, subtle radiological changes may go unrecognized or low levels of BMD loss may be

undetectable using this common method, creating the potential for the misidentification of pathologic

fractures as non-accidental injury.

The goal of the proposed study is to develop and validate analytical tools that will improve the

thoroughness of the medical evaluation assisting in the recognition of non-accidental skeletal injury in

infants and children. The study presents a quantitative method for pediatric bone health evaluation

using standard radiographs and QUS. Evaluating pediatric radiographs for abnormalities is common

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Harris County IFS- Method of Evaluation of Bone Health in Infants and Young Children

practice in clinical and medical examiner settings. However, current methodology is qualitative and

experience based. The proposed study would replace the methodology with a quantitative and validated

method. The use of QUS for evaluating pediatric bone health is an emerging field in pediatrics and

neonatology. Standard protocols and normal bone thresholds have not been developed. The proposed

study would fill this knowledge gap enabling the medical community to serve the target population

through effective and efficient diagnosis of child physical abuse and sound scientific testimony.

The proposed study is designed to answer two questions. First, can units of x-ray attenuation be

converted to equivalent BMD to precisely and accurately measure bone health in infants and young

children? Second, can a threshold for normal SOS values be measured using QUS be established for

infants and young children? To answer these questions, the Institute of Forensic Sciences has designed

a six month study to evaluate digital radiographs and SOS values of decedents under the age of two

years. The radiograph analysis and SOS values of each decedent will be compared to the bone health

evaluated by histological analysis. Furthermore, the significance of sex, age, race, and health status will

be measured using linear regression analysis. If the method is successful, a threshold between normal

and abnormal radiographic parameters and SOS values will be defined. Once abnormal and normal

readings have been established, the rate of false positives (histologically healthy bone with abnormal

readings) and false negatives (normal readings with histologically unhealthy bone) will be measured.

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SafePlace- Strategies for Change: Enhancing Response to Children with Disabilities

Grantee: SafePlace

Project Title: Strategies for Change – Enhancing Response to Children with Disabilities

Task Force Priority: Improve Multidisciplinary Response to Child Maltreatment Victims with Disabilities

or Special Healthcare Needs


Summary: Children with disabilities are at increased risk of abuse and neglect and they delay reporting

abuse longer than peers without disabilities (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2012). Yet, child

maltreatment practitioners typically lack the skills and training to respond effectively to reports of child

abuse/neglect in this population. Children with disabilities are also largely perceived to be unreliable

witnesses to their own abuse by child protective services and criminal justice staff, meaning that these

abuse cases are less likely to be prosecuted. However, when workers have skills for responding to the

needs of child victims with disabilities and their cases are fully investigated and/or referred to law

enforcement or the court systems, children with disabilities who are abused are more likely to have a

legal remedy for the abuse they have experienced. The under-prosecution of perpetrators of abuse

against children and youth with disabilities can then be improved.

SafePlace will develop and disseminate an easy-to-use, quick reference and resource guide with best

practice information for increasing the capacity of Texas child maltreatment service providers to interact

with, respond to, and advocate for the specific needs of abused and neglected children with disabilities

and their families and caregivers.

The goals of this project are to enhance practitioners’: 1) awareness and sensitivity to children with

visible and hidden disabilities and their families and caregivers; 2) ability to effectively respond to abuse

and neglect claims against children with disabilities; 3) willingness to more fully investigate and/or refer

cases of children with disabilities to law enforcement and/or the court system, and 4) understanding of

the complex relationship between abuse/neglect, and the behavioral and mental health of victims of

child maltreatment in Texas.

Objectives

Objective 1: Modify existing training materials as needed, based on evaluation information received

from training participants in previous CJA project (FY2013).

Objective 2: Deliver 1 multidisciplinary webinar to approximately 50-100 allied professionals in Texas.

Objective 2: Develop and disseminate a guide with best practices information for child welfare and

maltreatment service professionals to use in responding to cases of abuse and neglect of children with

disabilities.

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SCAN – Transforming Trauma Treatment for Texas Children

Grantee: Serving Children and Adults in Need, Inc.

Project Title: Transforming Trauma Treatment for Texas Children

Task Force Priority: Improve Access to Quality Victim Advocacy and Mental Health Services for Child

Maltreatment Victims and Caregivers


Summary: This project will address the shortage of adequate, trauma informed mental health services

for abused and neglected children in the southern region of Texas. The southern border region of Texas

has a predominately Hispanic population with high rates of poverty and high rates of adults without a

high school education. This area suffers from fractured and inadequate behavioral health services and a

lack of training for existing mental health service providers on trauma informed treatment. Additionally,

to be effective, mental health treatment must be culturally sensitive to the people being served.

Clinicians working with Hispanic children and families may face problems with client engagement and

premature termination of treatment if they neglect to integrate the client’s cultural values into the

therapeutic process and relationship.

Serving Children and Adults in Need (SCAN) will develop a Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

(TF-CBT) Learning Community for therapists working with trauma exposed youth and families in South

Texas. Therapists will be provided with training and consultation on the implementation of Trauma-

Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with youth exposed to various traumas including

complex trauma and with an emphasis on implementation in special settings and with special

populations. Therapists will also be trained on Culturally-Modified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral

Therapy (CM-TF-CBT) which is an adaptation of TF-CBT tailored for Hispanic youth and families that

incorporates cultural constructs relevant to the Hispanic population. The project’s strategies are: to

provide initial and advanced training and consultation to therapists on the (Culturally-Modified) Trauma-

Focused Treatment (CM)-TF-CBT model; to provide live training and to develop webinars on special

trauma topics such as assessing organizational readiness for implementation of evidence-based

treatment, creating a trauma-informed system of care, implementing (CM)-TF-CBT in schools and

residential settings, implementing (CM)-TF-CBT with youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice

systems, implementing (CM)-TF-CBT with young children, and implementing (CM)-TF-CBT with youth

experiencing complex trauma, violence, and traumatic grief; and to disseminate National Child

Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) products that will enhance the delivery of trauma-informed services

to a medically indigent and underserved region.

Objectives:

1. Deliver an initial 2-day, 12 hour training on (CM)-TF-CBT to 50 therapists in each of the

targeted areas of Laredo, Corpus Christi, Edinburg, and Brownsville for a total of 200

therapists trained.

2. Upon completion of training, develop a listserv of therapists for the dissemination of

resources/training materials

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SCAN – Transforming Trauma Treatment for Texas Children

3. Deliver an advanced 1-day, 6-hour training on the implementation of (CM)-TF-CBT to

therapists that received initial training.

4. Provide 12 hours of consultation on the implementation of (CM)-TF-CBT to therapists

that received the initial training with 75% of trained therapists completing all 12 calls.

5. Therapists will implement the model and successfully complete treatment with 2

youth for a total of 300 youth receiving treatment.

6. Develop and deliver four live four-hour trainings on special trauma topics such as

assessing organizational readiness for implementation of evidence-based treatment,

creating a trauma-informed system of care, implementing (CM)-TF-CBT in schools and

residential settings, implementing (CM)-TF-CBT with youth in the child welfare and

juvenile justice systems, implementing (CM)-TF-CBT with young children, and

implementing (CM)-TF-CBT with youth experiencing complex trauma, violence, and

traumatic grief.

7. Develop and deliver four 90-minute webinars on special trauma topics such as

assessing organizational readiness for implementation of evidence-based treatment,

creating a trauma-informed system of care, implementing (CM)-TF-CBT with youth in

the child welfare system, implementing (CM)-TF-CBT with young children, and

implementing (CM)-TF-CBT with youth experiencing complex trauma, violence, and

traumatic grief.

19

Texas CASA- Strengthening our Response Through Informed Advocacy

Grantee: Texas CASA

Project Title: Strengthening our Response Through Informed Advocacy

Task Force Priority: Improve the Recognition and Response by the Education System to Suspected Child

Maltreatment


Summary: In fiscal year 2012, over 47,000 children found themselves in the middle of an overburdened

and understaffed bureaucracy that is the child protection system in Texas. Abused or neglected by their

parents and already victims of unspeakable harm, these vulnerable children are at further risk of being

traumatized or hurt within the system charged with their safety care, and well-being. CASA volunteers

provide critical information to the courts about the children they serve, but their contribution goes well

beyond the courtroom. CASA volunteers also advocate in many other areas that contribute to the well-

being of the child. It is Texas CASA’s mission to support local programs with educational/training

opportunities and support to increase the knowledge base of advocates and collaborative stakeholders.

Providing children in CPS care with a quality education and chance of educational success has been

widely recognized as a need and challenge by the Texas Supreme Court Children’s Commission, Casey

Family Programs, the American Bar, the National Council of Family and Juvenile Court Judges, advocates,

attorneys, and foster youth themselves. The final report from the Children’s Commission, the Texas

Blueprint: Transforming Education Outcomes for Children and Youth in Foster Care, outlines specific

goals, objectives and training needs for CASA’s (GAL’s) , attorneys, CPS caseworkers, educators, parents

and many others to help children in foster care achieve educational success. Texas CASA will develop a

training toolkit to help CASA and collaborative stakeholders provide educational advocacy.

Through the operational support of this grant, Texas CASA will strengthen response to children in the

child protection system. The goal of the Educational Advocacy Toolkit and Training is to increase

individual and systems advocacy knowledge and skills to promote better outcomes for abused and

neglected children in the child protection system.

Objectives:

1. Training of Facilitator (TOF) Educational Advocacy Toolkit

Toolkit will include:

o Detailed facilitator guide

o 2-5 short videos with expert speakers, applicable commentaries, detailed

description of exercises or material debriefs, motivational stories from

children/parents/teachers/volunteers

o Replicable handouts, posters, templates for exercise

20

Texas CASA- Strengthening our Response Through Informed Advocacy

These strategies will include addressing school stability, school transitions, the role of extra-curricular

school activities in providing normalcy, and special education. The toolkit will also reference for use

as supplementary material, Children and Their Families, A Journey Through the Texas Child Welfare

System video case studies.

Toolkit training topics will include:

Education issues for applicable age groups in checklists and fact sheets

How to advocate within the school setting

Balancing educational well-being with permanency and safety considerations

Providing critical information to schools

Understanding the effects of schools discipline

Post-secondary support

Video of youth sharing hopes and dreams and reality of educational experiences

2. Two TOF Toolkit Trainings (1/2 day Trainings on the Educational Advocacy Toolkit and

resources)

21

TCFV – Children Within CPS: Promoting Resiliency and Preventing Future Maltreatment

Grantee: Texas Council on Family Violence

Project Title: Children Within CPS: Promoting Resiliency and Preventing Future Maltreatment




Summary: In homes where one parent is a victim of intimate partner violence, children often witness or

are impacted by the abuse. Families experiencing family violence are also two times as likely to have a

substantiated case of child abuse compared to families without family violence. In Texas, family

violence was indicated in almost one-third of Texas’ CPS investigations in 2012. However, a gap exists in

Texas in the implementation of specific policies and best practices to address the complex dynamics of

family violence, child witnessing of family violence, and child maltreatment. Family violence programs

often lack an understanding of the CPS system and how to best educate and advocate for survivors of

family violence and their children. There is also a lack of understanding among CPS workers about how

to work with parents who have been victims of family violence. To address this gap, the 82nd Texas

Legislature passed SB 434 creating a Task Force of stakeholders charged with recommending policy

changes to address the complexities and safety concerns when family violence occur. Texas Council on

Family Violence participated in that Task Force and the goals of this project stem from the

recommendations of the SB 434 Task Force.

The goals of this project are to provide support and technical assistance to all 100 family violence

programs across Texas to increase their capacity to serve victims of family violence with CPS

involvement as well as their children and improve the resources for building collaboration for services

for these families. Additionally, TCFV will provide support and expertise to CPS for the implementation

of recommendation changes in CPS policy and procedure.

The objectives of the project are:

1. TCFV will provide statewide trainings, technical assistance, and capacity building for all liaisons

in the 78 HHSC funded family violence programs to CPS; all regional liaisons within CPS to family

violence programs and other community partners through the SB434 Task Force work. 85% of

programs and liaisons receiving support will increase their knowledge of the CPS system,

methods for increasing protective capacity of victims of family violence; methods for

building/increasing resiliency in children who have experienced family violence and methods to

increase community collaboration.

2. TCFV will provide webinars to train and provide technical assistance on the intersections of

family violence, child witnessing of family violence, and child maltreatment to regional liaisons

and community partners.

3. TCFV will create a resource (palm card or brochure) for victims of family violence to understand

more about the CPS system and their rights within it.

22

TCFV – Children Within CPS: Promoting Resiliency and Preventing Future Maltreatment

4. TCFV will provide expertise and support to CPS to assist in the implementation of the changes

identified in SB 434 Taskforce report when responding to cases involving family violence. TCFV

will provide assistance with the implementation of a flexible response system within CPS,

support CPS in the creation of disposition guidelines for families experiencing family violence,

provide support to shift how CPS staff documents victim of family violence’s protective capacity

and abusive partner’s responsibility, and provide assistance on the development of policies that

document specific protocols based on national best practices.

23

Texas Tech- Training in Evidence-Based Assessment of Abused Youth

Grantee: Texas Tech University

Project Title: Training in Evidence-Based Assessment of Abused Youth




Summary: While there has been widespread acceptance and endorsement of the need for evidence-

based treatments (EBTs) to serve children who have been victims of abuse or neglect, there has not

been much attention paid to the use of evidence-based assessments (EBAs). A failure to utilize EBAs

without EBTs may actually undermine treatment since most EBTs are designed for use with specific

disorders. Without proper evaluation, evidence-based treatments may not be matched to children who

are likely to benefit.

The primary goal of this project is to develop knowledge and improve skills among mental health

professionals as related to evidence-based assessment of abuse-related symptoms (including trauma)

among abused children.

The project will:

1. Provide training to mental health professionals in principles and techniques of tests and

measurements,

2. Provide training to mental health professionals in assessment using reliable, viable, and normed

instruments for the assessment of abuse-related and trauma-related symptoms

3. Provide training to mental health professionals in the identification of traumatic events using

existing best practices,

4. Provide training to mental health professionals in differential diagnosis and common

misdiagnoses made among professionals serving abused children,

5. Provide training to mental health professionals in matching assessment findings with evidence-

based practices,

6. Provide training in ethical principles related to the administration, scoring, interpretation, and

dissemination of assessment findings as related to abused and traumatized children.

7. Evaluate satisfaction and changes in practice implemented by mental health professionals in

response to achievement of goals 1-6 above.

Each of the goals is tied to specific learning objectives for the participants.

The project will train up to 240 licensed mental health professionals from across the state of Texas. In

order to teach the skills, a combination of 9 hours of synchronous and asynchronous online learning will

be required. Additionally, each participant will be required to administer three assessment instruments

to three different children. The LPs will receive up to 18 additional hours of consultation and

supervision in the administration, scoring and interpretation of findings, as well as preparing reports for

stakeholders (e.g., CPS). Each practitioner must pass a clinical case presentation.

24

TMPA – Child Abuse and Neglect Training for Law Enforcement Grantee: Texas Municipal Police Association

Project Title: Child Abuse and Neglect Training for Law Enforcement

Task Force Priority: Enhance Multidisciplinary Team Response and Coordination


Summary: Law enforcement agencies across Texas struggle to provide high quality training and

resources to officers to facilitate a consistent and effective response to victims of child abuse, neglect,

and exploitation. Specialized training on crimes against children is not readily available to most rural

agencies in Texas nor are there available funds to travel to attend such trainings. TMPA, with CJA

funding, has developed a comprehensive and free training to address this need.

The goal of the Child Abuse & Neglect Training Program for Law Enforcement is to improve law

enforcement’s response to child abuse and neglect, including child sexual abuse, exploitation, and

fatality cases and cases involving vulnerable populations. This training will be provided to agencies in

one of two ways, either a three day training model that the program has been using since its inception

or through a non-consecutive three-day modular version of the training developed during the FY13

grant period. The program curriculum covers topics such as law enforcement’s role in multidisciplinary

teams, victim advocacy and mental health resources through Children’s Advocacy Centers; dynamics of

abuse of vulnerable populations, including children with disabilities; child fatality investigations; and the

purpose and process of medical assessments for child maltreatment victims. This program utilizes a

network of certified instructors to deliver the trainings on a local basis thus enabling more officers to

take part. This project will offer free, up-to-date training for all Texas Peace Officers and will training

more than two hundred and fifty officers across the state.

The program goals will be achieved through the following activities:

Improve and update current Child Abuse & Neglect Training curriculum, specifically sections relating to cases involving child fatalities and children with disabilities.

Target rural areas that have been identified by program staff.

Hold 20 Regular 3 day classes. 10 classes will be held in Targeted Counties identified by program staff and 10 classes will be held in non-Targeted areas.

Hold 5 8-hour Modular classes taught over 3 non-consecutive days.

Train at least 250 officers on the Child Abuse & Neglect curriculum.

Assist instructors with the implementation of newly created Interactive Exercises and updated curriculum.

25

UTHSCSA-Patterns and Locations of Bruises in Children with Congenital Bleeding Disorders

Grantee: University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio

Project Title: Patterns and Locations of Bruises in Children with Congenital Bleeding Disorders

Task Force Priority: Improve Access to Quality Medical Assessments for Child Maltreatment Victims


Summary: Bruising is the most common manifestation of child physical abuse, and represents the most

common reason for reporting suspected child physical abuse. During the evaluation of a child with

bruises, the child is tested for an underlying bleeding disorder that may explain the child’s bruises.

There is currently no medical literature that describes how bruises appear (whether patterned or not),

and in what locations they occur, in children with known bleeding disorders. We plan to study how, and

where on the body, bruises occur in children diagnosed with a congenital bleeding disorder.

We plan to study how, and where on the body, bruises occur in children diagnosed with a congenital

bleeding disorder. The pattern and location of bruises will be documented by the caregiver in a log for a

period of one year. This data will be recorded in a secure database. Statistical analysis will be applied to

the data to describe the incidence of patterned bruises as well as the location of bruises in our study

population. The results of the study will be disseminated through leading peer-review journals. CJA

funding will allow us to compensate our subjects for their time in completing the study.

Data from this study will permit child abuse pediatricians to more confidently distinguish between

abusive and accidental bruising, more confidently testify in a court of law as to forensic conclusions

based upon evidence-based research, and, even diminish unnecessary medical workup for potential

bleeding disorders.

The goal of this project is to provide evidence-based medical literature on bruising in children, and

thereby improve the quality of medical evaluations in child abuse.

Objectives:

To provide incidence data on bruising appearance and location in children 0 to 18 years

old with a known congenital bleeding disorder.

Approach:

This will be a prospective study. We will prospectively recruit children, aged 0 to 18 years, from several

Hematology Treatment Centers in Texas who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study.

Once enrolled, the child will undergo an “entrance physical” into the study—basically, a documented

detailed pediatric physical exam by a physician, with specific emphasis on neurologic and skin findings.

Any bruising will be documented on the sample log below and also be photo-documented. All photo-

26

UTHSCSA-Patterns and Locations of Bruises in Children with Congenital Bleeding Disorders

documentation will be kept on a separate, secure server, with appropriate de-identifying precautions.

Thereafter, the caregiver of the patient will be provided education (a short educational power-point) on

the identification of bruises, and appropriate documentation of them on the sample log below. They

will be provided specific examples of patterned bruises. At the end of the educational session, the

caregiver will take a short computer quiz to ensure they can adequately identify and log the attributes of

a bruise. Caregivers will be educated to contact study personnel or their hematologist (via email) with

any questions of potential bruises noted on their child. Caregivers will then be provided a log notebook

to document any bruises they see in between medical visits. Caregivers will be requested to photo-

document any patterned bruising and email such photos to study personnel (or their hematologist) as

soon as possible. Caregivers will be informed that they will be required to return to the Hematology

Center every 4 months for a one year period (3 visits) for a short visit with study personnel/their

hematologist to go over the log and for a physical exam by a physician. At that time, inquiry will be

made into any head trauma that occurred during the interim, and any that required them to seek

medical attention. Bruising logs will be submitted to study personnel and reviewed with the caregivers

for accuracy/discrepancy. The patient will have a total of 4 visits.

27

2013-2014 CJA Grantee Activities

Priority Grantee Project Title Activities/DeliverablesEstimated

CompletionMDT Response and

Coordination

Children's Advocacy

Centers of Texas

Training and Technical

Assistance to Local CACsHost statewide "Partners in Courage" Annual Conference Oct-13

Develop web-based training that CAC staff and MDTs can access

remotelyOngoing

Regional Forensic Interviewer Peer Review Sessions Ongoing

Spanish Speaking Forensic Peer Review Ongoing

Regional Family Advocate Peer Review Sessions Ongoing

TF-CBT Learning Collaborative Conference Calls monthly

Semi-Structured Narrative Process: Practicial Application for

Forensic Interviewers (Core Curriculum)Dec-13

Investigations, Prosecution, and the Forensic Interview Process Dec-13

Beyond the Sexual Abuse Interview (Core Curriculum) Mar-14Essential Issues of Forensic Interviewing and Preparing for Court

(Core Curriculum)Mar-14

Advanced Issues and Current Research in Forensic Interviewing Mar-14

Supervising Mental Health Professionals and Forensic

InterviewersMar-14


Forensic Interviewers (Core Curriculum)Mar-14

Family Advocate Continuing Education Mar-14Program Director Networking Forum Mar-14Volunteer Coordinator Networking Forum Mar-14Semi-Structured Narrative Process: Practicial Application for

Forensic Interviewers (Core Curriculum)Jun-14

Introductory Family Advocate Training Jun-14Cultural Competence & Diversity Jun-14

Beyond the Sexual Abuse Interview (Core Curriculum) Sep-14

How to Facilitate a Case Review Meeting Sep-14

Mental Health Professional Networking Forum Sep-14

Essential Issues of Forensic Interviewing and Preparing for Court

(Core Curriculum)Sep-14


Forensic Interviewers (Core Curriculum)Sep-14

Multidisciplinary Team Orientation Training As neededAdvanced MDT training on request As needed

28



Completion

Basic or Advanced Board Training As neededProvide technical assistance opportunities to support CACs and

MDTsQuarterly

MDT Response and

CoordinationTMPA

Child Abuse and Neglect

Training for Law Enforcement

Update curriculum to include legislative updates as well as other

resourcesDec-13

Train at least 250 officers on the updated curriculum in

identified Targeted AreasOngoing

Victim Advocacy and

Support and Mental

Health

Texas Council on Family

Violence

Advocacy for Survivors of Family

Violence and Their Children

Within CPS

Develop and conduct first of two webinars for family violence

CPS liaisons, CPS regional liaisons and CPS regional liaisons on

SB434 Taskforce report and implementation

Nov-13

Collaborate with CPS to bring in national experts and

representatives to provide technical assistance on the

implementation of differential response

Jan-14

First meeting with SB434 Taskforce members to update and

problem solveJan-14

Develop and conduct second of two webinars for family

violence CPS liaisons, CPS regional liaisons and CPS regional

liaisons on SB434 Taskforce report and implementation

Jun-14

Administer post-test survey to all 78 CPS liaisons from family

violence programs to gauge changes over the year in current

practices and relationships between family violence programs,

local CPS staff, and other community partners working child

abuse issues

Aug-14

Second meeting with SB434 Taskforce members to update,

problem solve and discuss progressSep-14

Complete palm card for victims of family violence in the CPS

systemSep-14

Webinar with all CPS/FVP liaisons to discuss results of the grant

and next stepsSep-14

Victim Advocacy and

Support and Mental

HealthTexas Tech University

Training in Evidence-Based

Assessment of Abused YouthWork with consultant to develop instructional website Oct-13

29



Completion

Announce availability of training through various professional

organizations throughout TexasOct-13

Complete curriculum development Oct-13Begin first 10 week cohort training Oct-13Begin second 10 week cohort training Jan-14Begin third 10 week cohort training Apr-14Begin fourth 10 week cohort training Jun-14

Presentation of preliminary findings at national conference Jul-14

Presentation of preliminary findings at state conference Aug-14

Victim Advocacy and

Support and Mental

Health

Serving Children and

Adults in Need, Inc

Transforming Trauma

Treatment for Texas Children

Initiate contact with therapists in the targeted areas of Laredo,

Corpus Christi, Edinburg, and Brownsville to introduce project

and register therapists

Oct-13

Dissemination of one National Child Traumatic Stress Network

product per monthmonthly

Initial two-day, 12 hour training on (CM)-TF-CBT will be

delivered in Laredo to a total of 50 therapistsNov-14

Weekly consultation calls for Laredo therapists who completed

initial trainingDec-14

90 minute webinar on a special trauma topic will be conducted

live and archived for future viewingJan-14


delivered in Edinburg to a total of 50 therapistsJan-14

Weekly consultation calls for Edinburg therapists who

completed initial trainingFeb-14


live and archived for future viewingFeb-14

Half day, 4-hour live training on special trauma topic delivered

in LaredoMar-14


delivered in Corpus Christi to a total of 50 therapistsApr-14

Weekly consultation calls for Corpus Christi therapists who

completed initial trainingMay-14


live and archived for future viewingMay-14

30



Completion

Half day, 4-hour live training on special trauma topic delivered

in Corpus ChristiMay-14


delivered in Brownsville to a total of 50 therapistsJun-14

Weekly consultation calls for Brownsville therapists who

completed initial trainingJun-14


live and archived for future viewingJul-14

Half day, 4 hour live training on special trauma topic delivered

in EdinburgAug-14

Half day, 4 hour live training on special trauma topic delivered

in BrownsvilleAug-14

One day, 6 hour advanced training on (CM)-TF-CBT will be

delivered in Laredo, Corpus Christi, Edinburg, and Brownsville to

the original 50 therapists in each target area for a total of 200

therapists

Sep-14

Compilation, analysis, and dissemination of project outcomes Sep-14

Improve

Multidisciplinary

Response to Child

Maltreatment Victims

with Disabilities or

Special Healthcare

Needs

Children's Advocacy

Centers of Texas, Inc

Ensuring Access to Justice for

Child Maltreatment Victims

with Disabilities or Special

Health Care Needs

Introduce new multiple-session forensic interview training

sessions for CAC staff and MDT members at 2013 Partners in

Courage Annual Conference

Oct-13

Provide first of two offerings of the new multiple-session

forensic interview training to CAC forensic interviewersJan-14

Provide second of two offerings of the new multiple-session

forensic interview training to CAC forensic interviewersJul-14

Develop a web-based training for CAC staff and MDT members

explaining the multiple-session forensic interview process Sep-14

31



Completion

Improve

Multidisciplinary

Response to Child


with Disabilities or

Special Healthcare

Needs

SafePlace

Strategies for Change:

Enhancing Reponse to Children

with Disabilities

Develop/disseminate survey to victim service agencies and child

maltreatment services in Texas & select committees to seek

input on practitioners educational needs of use in developing a

best practices guide

Oct-13

Review and make adjustments to training curricula and

evaluations based on audience response to previous projectDec-13

Conduct interviews wit subject matter specialists and experts to

seek input on best practice guideApr-14

Develop content outline for best practices guide and revise

formatJul-14

Coordinate with Texas Council on Family Violence to promote

and host Webinar. Deliver webinarAug-14

Format and publish best practices guide on SafePlace's website

and a print based versionAug-14

Improve

Multidisciplinary

Response to

Suspected Child

Maltreatment Related

Fatalities

Harris County

Development of a Method to

Evauate Bone Health of Infants

and Young Children in the

Medical Examiner Setting and

Emergency Department

Receive the analytical equipment and initiative the validation

processDec-13

Conduct the prospective study, data collection and entry Jun-14Analyze the data amd write a Final Technical Report detailing

the study findings for submission to CJA and manuscripts for

submission to The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and

Pathology and Pediatric Radiology

Sep-14

Improve the

Recognition and

Response by the

Education System to

Texas CASAStrengthening Our Response

Through Informed Advocacy

Curriculum and resource development on the Training of

Facilitator Educational Advocacy Toolkit including workgroup

collaboration with the Children's Commission, CPS, TEA, and

Disability Rights. Development of video

Jul-14

Deliver two 4 four "training of facilitator" workshops. First

training to CASA audience only, second training to CASA plus

collaborative stakeholders

Sep-14

32



Completion

Disseminate Toolkit to all 70 CASA programs Sep-14

Improve Access to

Quality Medical

Assessments for Child


Children's Advocacy

Centers of Texas, Inc

Increasing Access to Medical

Evaluations for Child


Work with state medical organizations to develop and adopt

best practices identifying the criteria for when alleged child

victims of physical or sexual abuse should receive medical

evaluations

Dec-13

Identify medical professionals and other subject matter experts

to participate in the project and begin workig with them to

develop content for resources and trainings

Mar-14

Participate in meetings with representatives from OAG's office

to discuss policy changes. Address issues with CVC billing and

SANE training and certification in rural/small and midsized

communities.

Mar-14

Begin providing on-site regional trainings for CAC staff, MDTs,

and local medical community providers across the stateJun-14

Complete development of training videos Jun-14

Distribute training videos to CACs and their MDT members Sep-14

Distribute "toolkits" to the 68 CACs and their MDTs Sep-14

Improve Access to

Quality Medical

Assessments for Child


University of Texas Health

Science Center San

Antonio

Patterns and Location of Bruises

in Children with Congenital

Bleeding Disorders

Recruitment of subjects of inclusion in the study until 150

subjects are enrolled

Prior to

October

Collect data on pattern and location of bruising Jul-14Analyze data on the incidence of patterned bruises as well as

locationAug-14

Report results of study to CJA and in leading peer-review

journalsSep-14

33

CJA BudgetFiscal Year: October 1, 2013 - September 30, 2014

10/2/2013

GY 13

Unexpended Funds: 1,488,899.00$

Income

GY 12 Remaining Funds: 120,000.00$ Estimate

GY 13 Grant Income: 1,368,899.00$

Program Income: -$

Total Grant Income 1,488,899.00$

Total Budgeted 1,413,618.00$ Funds Remaining for New Projects 75,281.00$

Expenses Budget Expenses to Date Balance

Grantees

CACTX - Training and Technical Assistance for CACs 124,000.00$ 124,000.00$

CACTX - Forensic Interview Curriculum for Children w/ Disabilities 30,000.00$ -$ 30,000.00$

Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences 118,948.00$ -$ 118,948.00$

SafePlace - Training for Effective Response to Child Maltreatment

Victims with Disabilities 50,000.00$ -$ 50,000.00$

Serving Children and Adults in Need 168,500.00$ -$ 168,500.00$

Texas CASA - Strengthening Our Response Through Informed

Advocacy 65,000.00$ -$ 65,000.00$

Texas Council on Family Violence - Advocacy for Survivors of Family

Violence and their Children Within CPS 50,000.00$ -$ 50,000.00$

TMPA - Law Enforcement Training 150,000.00$ -$ 150,000.00$

Texas Tech University - Training in Evidence-Based Assessment of

Abused Youth 198,669.00$ -$ 198,669.00$

University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio - Patterns

and Locations of Bruises in Children with Congenital Bleeding

Disorders 8,500.00$ -$ 8,500.00$

CACTX - Increasing Access to Medical Assessments 81,000.00$ -$ 81,000.00$

Placeholder -$ -$ -$

Small Training Grants 25,000.00$ -$ 25,000.00$

Scholarships 50,000.00$ -$ 50,000.00$

CJA Task Force 24,000.00$ -$ 24,000.00$

Overhead

Salaries 140,234.00$ -$ 140,234.00$

Fringe 39,266.00$ -$ 39,266.00$

Travel 10,008.00$ -$ 10,008.00$

Rent 36,383.00$ -$ 36,383.00$

Equipment -$ -$ -$

Contractual (Audit) 8,000.00$ -$ 8,000.00$

Supplies (Office Supplies, Shipping, Printing, etc) 8,500.00$ -$ 8,500.00$

Other Admin (IT, Professional fees and services, Insurance, Phone,

etc) 27,610.00$ -$ 27,610.00$

1,413,618.00$ -$ 1,413,618.00$

Summary34

2013-2014 Children’s Justice Act Task Force Committees

Legislative Committee

Kris Linenberger, Committee Chair Irene Clements Training Manager Texas Homeless Network Austin, TX (512) 482-8270 [email protected]

President, Texas Foster Families Association President, National Foster Parent Association Pflugerville, TX (512) 775-9781 [email protected]

Audrey Deckinga Joyce James

CPS Assistant Commissioner Texas Department of Family & Protective Services Austin, TX (512) 438-5776 [email protected]

Associate Deputy Executive Commissioner Center for Elimination of Disproportionality & Disparities Texas Health and Human Services Commission Austin, TX (512) 487-3396 [email protected]

Aurora Martinez Jones Lindsay Mullins

Attorney at Law Austin, TX (512) 452-1555 [email protected]

Legislative Director and General Counsel State Senator Joan Huffman Austin, TX (512) 826-6334 [email protected]

Sandeep Narang Dean Rucker

Child Abuse Pediatrician University of Texas Health Science Center Houston Houston, TX [email protected]

District Judge 318th Family District Court Midland, TX (432) 688-4390 [email protected]

Vicki Spriggs Chris Oldner – Ex-officio

CEO Texas CASA, Inc Austin, TX (512) 473-2627 [email protected]

District Judge 416th Judicial District Court McKinney, TX (972) 548-4520 (972) 548-4525 fax [email protected]

35


mailto:audrey.deckinga@dfps


Grants Committee

Laura Wolf, Committee Chair Jon Evans Executive Director CASA of Travis County Austin, Texas (512) 539-2665 [email protected]

Attorney at Law Austin, TX (512) 476-4075 [email protected]

Kristen Foster Julie Prudhome

Director of Employee Relations Austin Independent School District Austin, TX (512) 414-1431 [email protected]

Clinical Director Garth House, Mickey Mehaffy CAC Beaumont, TX (409) 838-9084 [email protected]

Craig Spinn Nhung Tran Superintendent of Schools Thorndale ISD Burnet, TX (830) 798-7311 [email protected]

Asst. Professor of Pediatrics Texas A&M College of Medicine Scott & White Healthcare Department of Pediatrics Temple, TX (254) 724-6060 [email protected]

Kriste Burnett - Ex-officio

Attorney at Law Cleburne, TX (817) 648-0002 [email protected]

36

Membership Committee

Randi King, Committee Chair Isidro Alaniz Assistant District Attorney Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office Beaumont, TX (409) 835-8615 (409) 835-8684 fax [email protected] [email protected]

District Attorney Webb Country District Attorney’s Office Laredo, Texas (956) 523-4912 [email protected]

Cathy Crabtree Gabriel Martinez, Jr.

Director of Chapter Development National Children’s Alliance Austin, TX (512) 971-2367 [email protected]

Captain City of Laredo Police Department Laredo, TX (956) 795-2899 [email protected]

Daniela Ontiveroz Joy Rauls

Youth Specialist Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Midland, TX (432) 686-2297 (432) 557-3400 cell [email protected]

Executive Director Children Advocacy Centers of Texas Austin, TX (512) 258-9920 [email protected]

Monica Reyes LaRu Woody

Parent Liaison The Children’s Partnership/Travis County Health & Human Services Austin, TX (512) 854-7872 [email protected]

Former Director, Family Justice Division Travis County District Attorney’s Office Austin, TX (512) 779-9013 [email protected]

Tony Bradley – Ex-officio

Lieutenant/Supervisor, Rural Child Abuse Task Force Collin County Sheriff Plano, TX (972) 633-6626 [email protected]

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CJA 2013-2014 COMMITTTEES SCOPE OF WORK

CJA 2013-2014 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Membership Recruitment The Membership Committee shall assess the composition of the Task Force to ensure compliance with mandated positions; diversity among its membership to include a variety of categories, including but not limited to, professional expertise/contacts, gender, ethnicity, race, and culture; as well as alignment with the current three-year plan priorities .

I. The committee will develop key criteria for 2014-2015 Task Force candidates and will enlist the other members of the Task Force in helping to identify potential candidates that meet one or more of the key criteria. (October – January; Report back at January 4th Task Force meeting)

II. Once potential candidates have been identified, the Committee, with staff support, will schedule meetings (in person if possible) with these individuals to further determine their eligibility and level of interest in being presented as official nominees. (February – May;)

III. The Committee will present a slate of candidates for member and officer positions to the Task Force prior to the July 12th Task Force meeting at which elections will be conducted for Task Force members and officers for the following grant year beginning October 1, 2014. (April – July; Report back at July 12th meeting)

Training and Education The Membership Committee is also responsible for building the capacity of Task Force members by:

I. Assessing and revising, as needed, the current Orientation process for new members. (July – September)

II. Developing and implementing, with staff support, training for the Task Force throughout the year. Training presentations should be designed to further Task Force knowledge pertaining to the three-year assessment priority areas (Ongoing).

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CJA 2013-2014 GRANTS COMMITTEE

I. The Committee shall meet with CJA staff to review the annual grants process and make recommendations for any needed changes. (October – January; Report back at January 4th Task Force meeting)

II. The Committee will review the Request for Applications (RFAs) drafted by staff to ensure the solicitations reflect the Task Force’s current priorities. (October-January; Report back at January 4th Task Force meeting)

III. The Committee shall review Letters of Intent (LOI) submissions as well as staff recommendations regarding LOIs to determine which applicants will be invited to submit full applications. (January - February)

IV. The Committee shall review all full grant submissions as well as staff recommendations related to grant submissions and make final recommendations to the full Task Force regarding grant approvals. (March-April; Report back at April 5th Task Force meeting)

V. The Committee will assist staff in identifying relevant grantee programs for possible presentations to the full Task Force throughout the year. (Ongoing)

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CJA 2013-2014 LEGISLATIVE COMMITTTEE

I. The Legislative Committee will, with staff support, identify, review and report to the full Task Force relevant Interim Session activity and release of related Interim Study reports of interest to the Task Force. (October – January; Report to Task Force at January 4th Task Force Meeting)

II. The Legislative Committee will, with staff support, identify, review and report to the full Task Force relevant national legislation (Ongoing).

III. The Committee shall provide legislative updates at each Task Force meeting regarding issues or activities that might impact, alter, or direct Task Force activities related to the three-year plan priorities. (Ongoing)

IV. The Committee will make recommendations regarding legislative positions or other policy considerations and related activity for approval by the Task Force. (Ongoing; Report to Task Force, as needed, at Task Force meetings)

V. The Committee shall identify, review and report to the full Task Force on any relevant policy changes within the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), the Attorney General’s office or other state agencies that might be of interest to the Task Force. (Ongoing)

VI. The Committee shall develop and maintain relationships with key legislators, their staff and/or committee chairs in order to serve as a resource regarding issues or activities related to the three-year plan priorities.

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CJA TASK FORCE MEETING - Texas Center for the …...Austin, TX (512) 487-3396...

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