41-3-122. Strategic plan for child abuse and neglect prevention -- report to legislature. (1) (a) By August 15, 2018, the department shall develop a strategic plan that sets out measurable goals and strategies for reducing child abuse and neglect in Montana over a 5-year period. The plan must address ways to:

(i) increase family stability;

(ii) enhance child development for all families; and

(iii) mitigate the factors known to lead to child abuse and neglect.

(b) The plan must review factors and propose strategies specific to Montana's urban and rural areas, as well as the state's Indian communities and reservations.

(2) The strategic plan must:

(a) outline the degree to which child abuse and neglect are occurring in Montana and the projections for the occurrence of child abuse and neglect in future years;

(b) discuss the effects that child abuse and neglect have on children, families, and society as a whole, including the effects on the physical, psychological, cognitive, and behavioral development of children;

(c) examine the risk factors that lead to child abuse and neglect and the protective factors that reduce the potential for child abuse and neglect to occur, using the social-ecological model that takes into account individual, family, community, and societal factors, including factors specific to Indian communities and reservations;

(d) review research related to risk and protective factors to evaluate the effectiveness of various prevention efforts and identify the characteristics of successful prevention responses;

(e) inventory the prevention responses currently being used in Montana at the state and local levels; and

(f) propose additional prevention strategies.

(3) The department shall, at a minimum, include the following entities in development of the strategic plan:

(a) the interagency coordinating council for state prevention programs provided for in 2-15-225;

(b) the Montana children's trust fund board provided for in 2-15-2214;

(c) the state advisory council for the child and family services division of the department;

(d) former members of the protect Montana kids commission established by the governor by executive order on September 21, 2015;

(e) representatives of Montana's tribal communities; and

(f) representatives of other state and local agencies and organizations that work to reduce or prevent child abuse and neglect, including juvenile courts and health, education, social services, and law enforcement agencies.

(4) The department shall provide a copy of the strategic plan to the children, families, health, and human services interim committee and the legislative finance committee.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 270, L. 2017.