The federal Children's Justice Act provides grants to states for the development and operation of programs designed to improve the handling of child abuse and neglect cases, the handling of suspected maltreatment related fatalities, and the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect.
Cases involving child sexual abuse or exploitation are a particular emphasis.
To be eligible for these funds, states must establish and continue a multidisciplinary task force which is charged with the development and implementation of recommendations in the areas described above. A task force was convened in South Carolina in 1994 by the Department of Social Services, which became grantee for the funds. A wide range of disciplines are represented on the task force. The Department of Social Services contracted with the University of South Carolina to establish the Children's Law Office, in accordance with the task force's recommendation. The Children's Law Office is administered by the University of South Carolina School of Law.