Reference Title: child abuse prevention fund; purpose

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 8-550.01, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES, AS AMENDED BY LAWS 1996, CHAPTER 335, SECTION 8; RELATING TO FUNDING OF CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 8-550.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by Laws 1996, chapter 335, section 8, is amended to read:

8-550.01 . Child abuse prevention fund; purpose; definition

A. There is established the child abuse prevention fund consisting of monies received pursuant to section 12-284, section 25-311.01, subsection E, section 36-3504, subsection C and section 43-613. The director shall administer the fund for the purposes prescribed in this article.

B. Subject to legislative appropriation, the director shall expend monies in the fund to provide financial assistance to community child abuse and neglect prevention programs AND FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAMS that, in the judgment of the director, offer prevention services AND FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAMS to children and their parents or guardians and that comply with departmental accounting and auditing rules for the receipt of public monies.

C. Subject to legislative appropriation, the director may expend not more than five per cent of the monies in the fund for administrative expenses related to the fund.

D. The appropriated funds shall only be used for the designated purposes specified in statute.

E. Monies in the fund do not revert to the state general fund.

F. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAM" MEANS A PROGRAM THAT OFFERS COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES THAT PROVIDE SUSTAINED ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO A FAMILY AT VARIOUS STAGES IN ITS DEVELOPMENT AND THAT PROMOTES PARENTAL COMPETENCE AND BEHAVIOR THAT WILL LEAD TO THE HEALTHY AND POSITIVE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN THROUGH:

1. ASSISTANCE TO BUILD FAMILY SKILLS AND ASSIST PARENTS IN IMPROVING THEIR CAPACITY TO BE SUPPORTIVE AND NURTURING.

2. ASSISTANCE TO ENABLE A FAMILY TO USE OTHER FORMAL AND INFORMAL RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASSISTANCE THAT ARE AVAILABLE WITHIN THE FAMILY'S COMMUNITY.

3. SUPPORTIVE NETWORKS TO ENHANCE THE CHILD REARING CAPACITY OF PARENTS AND TO ASSIST IN COMPENSATING FOR THE INCREASED SOCIAL ISOLATION AND VULNERABILITY OF A FAMILY.

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR APRIL 24, 1997.

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 25, 1997.