§ 20-82-206 - Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Section -- Powers and duties.

20-82-206. Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Section -- Powers and duties.

The Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Section within the office of the Chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences shall have the authority and responsibility to:

(1) Administer and disburse funds received through the Children's Justice Act, rape funds received through the preventive health services block grant, and any other federal and grant funds;

(2) Receive and expend grants, donations, and funds from public and private sources to carry out its responsibilities;

(3) Educate professionals, law enforcement officers, prosecuting attorneys, trial and appellate judges, municipal judges, Department of Human Services employees, and other victim service providers regarding issues, interventions, and other matters associated with child abuse, rape, and domestic violence;

(4) Research, develop, and disseminate resource materials as needed;

(5) Facilitate the development of and contract with local multidisciplinary teams throughout the state, the purpose of which is to provide coordinated investigation and service delivery to child victims of severe maltreatment;

(6) Authorize local multidisciplinary teams throughout the state to review instances of child deaths involving children ages birth through seventeen (17) years of age;

(7) Provide support, coordination, and technical assistance to providers of services for rape, domestic violence, and child abuse victims;

(8) Develop a database for use in Arkansas which addresses information about the effectiveness of treatment programs and other intervention efforts in the areas of domestic violence, child abuse, child sexual abuse, and rape and which focuses on interventions with victims, families, and perpetrators;

(9) Advise the Governor as to the immediate needs and priorities surrounding the issues of child abuse, domestic violence, and rape;

(10) Contract and be contracted with;

(11) Provide consultation and technical assistance to professionals regarding child abuse, rape, and domestic violence; and

(12) Work with the Area Health Education Center program of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to research, develop, and disseminate resource materials for regions in the state.