§ 13023. Specialized technical assistance and training programs
(a)
Grants to develop model programs
(1)
The Administrator shall make grants to national organizations to develop 1 or more model technical assistance and training programs to improve the judicial system’s handling of child abuse and neglect cases.
(2)
An organization to which a grant is made pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be one that has broad membership among juvenile and family court judges and has demonstrated experience in providing training and technical assistance for judges, attorneys, child welfare personnel, and lay child advocates.
(b)
Grants to juvenile and family courts
(1)
In order to improve the judicial system’s handling of child abuse and neglect cases, the Administrator shall make grants to State courts or judicial administrators for programs that provide or contract for, the implementation of—
(2)
The criteria established for the making of grants pursuant to paragraph (1) shall give priority to programs that improve—
(A)
procedures for determining whether child service agencies have made reasonable efforts to prevent placement of children in foster care;