The Child Abuse Action Network began in 1989 and is funded by the government-run Children's Justice Act (CJA) grant, which provides grants to states to improve the investigation, prosecution, and judicial handling of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation, in a manner that limits additional trauma to the child victim. The Departments Division of Child Welfare is the administrative agent for the Children's Justice Act grants, and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services is the state agency designated by Maine's Governor to apply for CJA funding.
The State of Maine Child Abuse Action Network membership includes representatives from:
- Public Child Welfare
- The Judiciary System
- Pediatrics
- Civil and criminal prosecutors
- Community mental health professionals
- Public health professionals
- CASA members
- State and local law enforcement
- Domestic violence education and advocacy
- Corrections
- Child Abuse and Neglect Councils
