42 U.S. Code § 290hh–1 - Grants to address the problems of persons who experience violence related stress

The Secretary shall award grants, contracts or cooperative agreements to public and nonprofit private entities, as well as to Indian tribes and tribal organizations, for the purpose of developing programs focusing on the behavioral and biological aspects of psychological trauma response and for developing knowledge with regard to evidence-based practices for treating psychiatric disorders of children and youth resulting from witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.

In awarding grants, contracts or cooperative agreements under subsection (a) of this section related to the development of knowledge on evidence-based practices for treating disorders associated with psychological trauma, the Secretary shall give priority to mental health agencies and programs that have established clinical and basic research experience in the field of trauma-related mental disorders.

The Secretary shall ensure that grants, contracts or cooperative agreements under subsection (a) of this section with respect to centers of excellence are distributed equitably among the regions of the country and among urban and rural areas.

The Secretary, as part of the application process, shall require that each applicant for a grant, contract or cooperative agreement under subsection (a) of this section submit a plan for the rigorous evaluation of the activities funded under the grant, contract or agreement, including both process and outcomes evaluation, and the submission of an evaluation at the end of the project period.

With respect to a grant, contract or cooperative agreement under subsection (a) of this section, the period during which payments under such an award will be made to the recipient may not exceed 5 years. Such grants, contracts or agreements may be renewed.

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2006.

This section may be cited as the “Donald J. Cohen National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative”.