Government Relations Action Alert
October 10, 2002

Ask Your Senators to Reauthorize CAPTA Now!!!

THE ISSUE AT HAND

Time is quickly running out for Congress to reauthorize the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). The reauthorization of CAPTA is a part of the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2002 (H.R. 3839/S. 2998), and the legislative language includes many of the provisions proposed by the National Child Abuse Coalition! The House passed its version of the bill in April, now the Senate must act before Congress adjourns!

ACTION NEEDED

Please call or e-mail your Senators and ask them to reauthorize CAPTA by passing S. 2998, the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2002, before the 107^th Congress adjourns!

If you call please let NASW know at legislative@naswdc.org.

SAMPLE SCRIPT

As a constituent, social worker, and member of the National Association of Social Workers, I’m calling to request that Senator __________ urge the Senate leadership to schedule a vote on S. 2998, the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2002, before the 107^th Congress adjourns. The programs within CAPTA are too important for Congress to postpone this vote until next year, especially to the children and families, as well as the social work professionals who work with them, in (your state). Thank you.

CONTACTING YOUR SENATOR

You may contact your Senator by calling the Capitol Switchboard, (202) 224-3121, or you may write to them via e-mail through NASW’s Congress Web at http://63.66.87.48/cweb4/index.cfm?orgcode=NASW.

DETAILED INFORMATION

The portion of S. 2998 which reauthorizes CAPTA would:

1. Direct basic state grant funding to improving the CPS system through attention to case management; training, supervision, recruitment and retention of caseworkers; and improved reporting of suspected child maltreatment.
2. Support the development of linkages between CPS and health, mental health, and developmental services to improve attention to the needs of abused and neglected children.
3. Focus CAPTA’s Title II on the prevention of child abuse and neglect through support for community-based services to families.

For more information, please contact Ann Bradford, NASW Government Relations, at abradford@naswdc.org or (202) 336-8237.