Legislation

Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) is the key Federal legislation addressing child abuse and neglect.  CAPTA was enacted in 1974 to support the prevention, assessment, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect. It is currently the only piece of federal legislation to address the representation of children in dependency cases. CAPTA provides modest state grants to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect. For states to receive grant funds under the Act, states are required to certify that they have specific procedures in place for receiving and responding to allegations of abuse or neglect and for ensuring children’s safety.

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CAPTA Reauthorization

CAPTA has been amended several times and was last reauthorized on December 20, 2010, by the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-320). In addition, it was amended in 2015, 2016, and 2018, and most recently, specific provisions of the Act were amended on January 7, 2019, by the Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-424). CAPTA is currently up for reauthorization, and current drafts include several new provisions. 

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Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)

As part of the Bipartisan Budget Act (HR. 1892), which was signed into law in February 2018. The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) was enacted to turn the focus of the current child welfare system toward keeping children safely with their families to avoid the trauma that results when children are placed in out-of-home care. The law provides families with greater access to mental health services, substance use treatment, and/or improved parenting skills to increase the number of children who can remain safely at home with their families. This law significantly shifts how the country provides services for families and youth.

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Find additional resources, including information about claiming federal Title IV-E Funds here.