National Resource Center for Child Welfare Legal and Judicial Issues

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement is to establish by cooperative agreement a National Resource Center for Child Welfare Legal and Judicial Issues (NRCLJI). The NRCLJI will serve as a member of the Children's Bureau's Child Welfare Training and Technical Assistance Network (T/TA Network), which is designed to improve child welfare systems and to support States and Tribes in achieving sustainable, systemic change that results in greater safety, permanency, and well-being for children, youth, and families. The primary mission of the NRCLJI is to improve legal representation and judicial decision-making in juvenile and family courts. Particular emphasis will be placed on supporting and enhancing activities carried out under the State Court Improvement Program (CIP), and increasing legal and court involvement in the development and implementation of Program Improvement Plans (PIPs) in response to the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs).