The Triage Project

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The Community Action of the Franklin, Hampshire, and North Quabbin Regions (Community Action) will support The Triage Project. Community Action will fund the personnel necessary to mediate 40 care and protection child maltreatment cases; provide training for mediators; and hire a consultant to evaluate the project. The Triage Project is a cross-system collaboration between the public child welfare agency, the legal community, private mediation organizations, and the court system that facilitates the resolution of care and maltreatment cases. The Triage Project will focus on using mediation as an alternative to traditional litigation for addressing the issues that lead to placing children in state custody.

NCA/NCF