U.S. Senator Walter Mondale speaks about his proposed child abuse bill’s main purpose, which is to support demonstration programs to prevent, identify, and treat child abuse. He states many agencies can apply for funding and the programs could be broad or specific.
Mondale says hopefully this will be beginning of a long overdue effective attack on one of the most heartbreaking problems facing children in America today.
SPEAKER: The main thrust of this bill, and I don't claim it's an answer to child abuse, but I think it's an important beginning, is to support demonstration programs to prevent, identify, and treat child abuse. A wide variety of agencies, institutions, and individuals can apply for funding. Welfare department, law enforcement authorities, hospitals, parent organizations, state governments can all submit applications and be funded if they meet the usual criteria for federal programs.
The demonstration programs could be broad, such as the creation of a regional center. Or they could deal with a specific aspect of child abuse, such as training law enforcement officers or social workers to work with problem families. And I want to emphasize the importance of working with law enforcement officers. Where we found that policemen had been trained, they were often very, very effective and helpful in all of this, and they're very anxious to be of help.
A portion of the funds appropriated each year under the bill would be reserved specifically for technical assistance to state governments in approving their programs. A minimum of 5% or a maximum of 20% of the funds will be reserved for this purpose. To qualify for funds, states must have an effect or establish a system for reporting and investigating cases of child abuse and neglect.
And I will be introducing legislation for just the supplemental start up period calling for a $10 million appropriation, and then we will follow on with appropriation bills to appropriate the full amount. And hopefully this will be the beginning of a long overdue effective attack upon one of the most compelling and heartbreaking problems facing children in America today.
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