The Division for Children promotes and advances the strength and well being of Arizona's children and families. This is accomplished through administration of federal juvenile justice grants and policy regarding juvenile justice, delinquency prevention, intervention and juvenile accountability.
In addition, the Division serves as the state collaboration headquarters for Head Start. Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families. The Arizona Head Start collaboration director assists in the development of multi-agency and public-private partnerships among Head Start and other interested stakeholders.
The Division administers federal funds from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the U.S. Department of Education, which includes Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) funds, Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) funds and Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities (SDFS) funds.
The Division for Children provides staff support and leadership to the Arizona Juvenile Justice Commission and its sub-committees, and oversees the Children’s Justice Act funds, which are federal pass-through funds that promote education and training in child abuse investigations and development of child advocacy centers.
The Division also staffs the Governor’s Commission on Women and Children’s Health, which focuses on identifying priorities and advising the Governor on policy direction and methods to improve the health and wellness of Arizona’s women and children. |
