State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > California > Wic > 18952-18958WELFARE 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.
