II 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2293 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 18, 2012 Mrs. Boxer (for herself, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mr. Merkley) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To establish a national, toll-free telephone parent helpline to provide information and assistance to parents and caregivers of children to prevent child abuse and strengthen families.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the National Parent Helpline Act.

2.

Findings

Congress finds as follows: (1)There are approximately 149,000,000 parents and caregivers in the United States. (2)Many parents and caregivers do not always have immediate access to a caring and supportive person to help them address various challenges with their children. (3)Parents and caregivers could benefit from an effective helpline that fosters the strengths parents have, which would improve family and peer relationships, as well as community life and society overall. (4)Congress recognizes that helpline prevention services will empower parents and caregivers to positively address child care issues and help address child maltreatment, drug and alcohol problems, mental health, and personal growth and development.

3.

Grant to establish a national parent helpline

Title I of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 103 the following:

103A.

Grant to establish a national parent helpline

(a)

In general

The Secretary may award a grant to one or more nonprofit entities to— (1)provide for the establishment and ongoing operation of a national, toll-free telephone parent helpline to provide information and assistance to parents and caregivers to prevent child abuse and strengthen families; and (2)create and maintain an Internet website with vital information and resources for parents and caregivers to address a broad spectrum of family issues related to emotional, social, behavioral, and educational well-being of parents and children. (b)

Priority

In awarding the grant under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to entities with experience in operating a national parent helpline that provides assistance to parents and caregivers and that operates shared leadership groups for parents and children nationwide. (c)

Term

A grant awarded under this section may be for a period of not more than 5 years. (d)

Helpline activities

An entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to establish and operate a 24-hour, national, toll-free telephone helpline to provide— (1)information and assistance to parents and caregivers who are facing parenting challenges; and (2)a link to needed resources, with a focus on weekly shared leadership groups available nationwide. (e)

Reports and evaluation

The entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit a performance report to the Secretary at such time as shall be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such performance report shall describe the activities that have been carried out with the grant funds, contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of such activities, and provide such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require. In the case that more than 1 entities are awarded a grant under this section, such entities shall collaborate to prepare and submit a joint report as described in this subsection.

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