CHAT

California Child Abuse Treatment (CHAT) Programs

The Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), Law Enforcement and Victim Services Division, Children's Section  funds agencies statewide to provide comprehensive treatment services to child victims of abuse and neglect through the Child Abuse Treatment Program (CHAT). Funds for the CHAT Program are authorized by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Grant recipients were selected for funding through a competitive selection process and will continue to be funded noncompetitively through an annual reapplication, contingent upon availability of funds and project compliance and performance.

CHAT grant recipients must provide comprehensive direct services to children, including children who are dependents of the court, children in the child welfare system, and underserved children which may include non-English speaking children, children with disabilities, children of racial or ethnic minorities, or children residing in remote rural areas or crime-ridden poverty stricken urban areas, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, or religion. Children served must be under the age of 18 and are victims of abuse in all its forms, neglect, domestic violence, school violence, community violence, and abduction who do not have access to services due to unavailability of services, lack of resources, and ineligibility for any other program or services.

The mandatory objectives of the CHAT program are to:

  • Provide Therapeutic Services
  • Provide Assistance in Filing Application for Victim Compensation Program
  • Provide Assistance, Advocacy and Support During Judicial Proceedings
  • Use Volunteers

Activities and services to support the mandatory objectives can include the following:

  • Counseling
  • Follow-Up
  • Therapy
  • Group Treatment/Support
  • Shelter/Safe House
  • Information/Referral (in-person)
  • Telephone Contact (Information and Referral)
  • Criminal Justice Support/Advocacy
  • Emergency Financial Assistance
  • Emergency Legal Advocacy
  • Assistance in Filing Compensation Claims
  • Personal Advocacy

This website is developed and maintained by the CATTA Center at the California Institute on Human Services, Inc. Funding is provided by the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA), Victim Services Division, Children's Section. However, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position of CATTA or OES. No official endorsement of materials, resources, or referrals should be inferred.