The Indiana Court Improvement Program (CIP) is accepting grant applications for projects designed to improve the safety, well-being and permanency of children and families involved in child abuse and neglect proceedings.  Up to $150,000 will be given out in grant money.  The applications are due July 1, 2009.  Grant applications can be found online at http://courts.in.gov/cip/child-grants.html.

The purpose of the grants is to improve the judicial system for children and families involved in child abuse and neglect proceedings.  A variety of projects may be approved; the following are a few

The Indiana Court Improvement Program is funded by grants received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children, Youth and Families.  The Indiana Supreme Court and members of the Court Improvement Program Executive Committee establish priorities and guide the direction of the program.  The Division of State Court Administration serves as the fiscal administrator of the federal grants and the Indiana Judicial Center provides program administration.

The Court Improvement Program Administrator, Angela Reid-Brown explained, “We know helping children and families involved in child abuse and neglect proceedings is a top priority for our courts, but it can be difficult to put an improvement idea into action.  This grant money can make your idea into reality.  I am happy to discuss ideas with court administrators, grant writers, or judges.  Together, we can make a difference in improving the safety, well-being and permanency for children and families in your community."

A grant review team will review applications and make a recommendation to the CIP Executive Committee, which makes the final decision.  The Executive Committee may consider the extent to which proposal goals are realistic and measurable, whether the proposal is a replication of another CIP-funded program or project, demonstration of the need, demonstration that the applicant has met the local match requirements, and overall quality of the application.

Applications should be mailed to the Indiana Judicial Center, Attention Angela Reid-Brown, 30 South Meridian Street, Suite 900, Indianapolis, IN 46204.  For more information about the Court Improvement Program grant application or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact Angela Reid-Brown at 317-232-1313 or arbrown@courts.state.in.us.