New Funds Available to Help Families in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming Struggling With Substance Abuse and Child Maltreatment

American Humane Association
Wednesday, 4 September 2002

Families in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming struggling with substance abuse and child maltreatment will soon benefit from a new federally funded collaborative initiative to improve Child Protective Services efforts in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming and the American Indian tribal groups within these states.

Called the Rocky Mountain Quality Improvement Center for Child Protective Services (RMQIC), the initiative will fund new or revised programs or practice methods designed to strengthen families struggling with child maltreatment and substance abuse issues. Denver-based American Humane, the only national organization dedicated to both child and animal protection, will power the Center.

According to Kimberlee Murphy, PhD, co-director of the RMQIC and research associate for American Humane, the Center comes at a perfect time as many programs and practice methods are feeling the crunch of budget cuts.

"Child welfare professionals often find that many families struggling with child abuse and neglect also struggle with substance abuse, unfortunately there is a lack of funding for programs and practices that help families with these issues," says Dr. Murphy. "We are very excited about the chance to support some of these efforts and to see how well they work."

The funds will be available from January 2003 to June 2006 and are being provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, Children's Bureau. The maximum amount of funding available per project per year is $125,000. Those wishing to apply for funding must first submit a Letter of Intent by Oct. 7, 2002.

Application workshops

The RMQIC will hold free workshops in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming to provide details about the program, the application process, and how to complete the Letter of Intent and Application. For locations, dates, and times and to make a reservation, contact us. Applicants do NOT have to attend a workshop to apply for funding.

Applicant eligibility

Applicants must be located and conduct their proposed work in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, or Wyoming or within American Indian tribal groups located within or next to one of the four states. Applicants can be from any state or local government or sovereign nation entity, foundation, public or private non-profit agency, community or faith-based organization, or university setting. Applicants must have a history of work related to child welfare and/or family substance abuse issues, prove that they can obtain client referrals from appropriate child welfare agencies, and be ready to start the project on Jan. 1, 2003.

For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org