Court Improvement Program Grants

The Children’s Commission (Commission) administers the federal Court Improvement Program (CIP) grant which is awarded to the highest court in each state by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) for the improvement of courts' handling of child abuse and neglect.

The Commission is guided in its use of CIP funds by the Commission’s Strategic Plan, which incorporates goals, objectives, and strategies. The Commission’s goals are organized into four standing committees – Systems Improvement, Legal Practice & Process, Training, and Data – as well as through other ad hoc committees. Each committee is chaired by a Commissioner and members are drawn from the Commission, Collaborative Council, and other stakeholders in the child welfare system.

Decisions to fund grant requests are within the discretion of the Commission and all funding from the Commission is subject to the availability of funds. The Commission maintains that the receipt of an application for grant funding does not obligate the Commission to fund the grant. Grant applications are reviewed by Commission staff through the relevant committee to determine how well the proposal aligns with the Commission’s Strategic Plan. Applications must be recommended for funding by the Executive Committee and approved by the Commission. The Commission makes no commitment that a grant, once funded, will receive subsequent funding.