Programs & Resources · Child Abuse in Systems Care
Child Abuse in Systems Care (CASC)
Supporting cases involving children victimized in foster care, shelter care, and juvenile justice custody.
Child victimization in systems care settings is a pressing issue that requires specialized training for prosecutors. Children in these systems are powerless and rely on the state for their well-being and safety. Ensuring age-appropriate, evidence-based, and trauma-informed investigations and prosecutions for all children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems is about protecting the most vulnerable among us and giving a voice to the voiceless, while preventing future harm.
Why these cases go underprosecuted
The difficulty in prosecuting cases involving the victimization of children in systems care settings can be attributed to several factors: evidence challenges, since children may be unable or unwilling to testify and physical evidence may be limited; victim credibility concerns, particularly where a child’s trauma is misunderstood; systemic failures, including inadequate training and communication breakdowns among agencies; and institutional protection. The program’s goal is to improve access to justice for children victimized in these settings.
APA and its Advisory Council recognize that improving access to justice requires the child welfare, juvenile justice, and criminal justice systems to “cross-pollinate”—each offering its expertise to the others for the healthiest outcome for the child. To that end, the program has two main facets: a convening of experts to create policies and procedures on investigating and prosecuting these cases, and a robust national training and technical assistance (TTA) program for prosecutors.
Improving access to justice for children victimized in systems care settings.
Request Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) for Prosecutors
The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) is offering no-cost technical assistance (TA) to prosecutors handling child abuse cases arising in systems care settings, including foster care, shelter care, and juvenile justice facilities.
Through this OJJDP-funded initiative, APA provides responsive, one-on-one support to juvenile and adult court prosecutors virtually or on-site, depending on your office’s needs. Whether you’re looking for subject-matter expertise, training, or general guidance, our team and network of partners and faculty are ready to help.
Online Training and Technical Assistance Request Form
Request TTA support for a case involving child abuse in a systems care setting.
Resources
Child Abuse in Systems Care
Resources
For more information or to request technical assistance, contact APA at contact@apainc.org or explore the CASC resources below.
National convenings
Experts gather to create policies and procedures for investigating and prosecuting these cases.
Training and technical assistance
A robust national TTA program equips prosecutors handling cases in systems care settings.
Publications and guidance
Protocols and guidelines developed from national summit findings, published for prosecutors and communities.
Stay Informed
Join APA’s child abuse prosecution listserv for updates on training, publications, and resources for prosecutors handling child abuse cases.
Related from APA
CASC works alongside APA’s broader child protection efforts. Prosecutors can also explore related resources on APA’s Programs & Resources page, including materials on child abuse prosecution, human trafficking, and juvenile justice.
Join APA
APA membership connects you to a national network of prosecutors, exclusive trainings, and collaborative opportunities—including the convenings and technical assistance behind Child Abuse in Systems Care.
This project is supported by Grant #15PJDP-24-GK-03805-CATP awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice.