National Center on Child Maltreatment Fatality Data Practices and Reporting

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children and Families and its Children’s Bureau, has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the establishment of a National Center on Child Maltreatment Fatality Data Practices and Reporting. The purpose of this grant is to improve the accuracy, quality, and utility of child maltreatment fatality data across states and jurisdictions. This initiative responds to longstanding concerns about underreporting and inconsistencies in child fatality records, which can impede prevention efforts and weaken national understanding of child welfare challenges. The Children’s Bureau has positioned this opportunity to enhance state capacity, foster standardized data practices, and promote greater accountability in child protective services. The program seeks to create a centralized, evidence-driven resource center that will support state and local agencies in strengthening their data collection, reporting, and analysis related to child maltreatment fatalities. The funded center will provide technical assistance, establish best practices, and develop innovative methodologies to ensure reliable, comprehensive, and comparable data across jurisdictions. The ultimate objective is to enable policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to identify systemic gaps, implement effective prevention strategies, and evaluate interventions that reduce child maltreatment fatalities nationwide. In addition, the program underscores the importance of using data ethically and responsibly, with sensitivity to families affected by child fatalities. Funding under this opportunity is intended to cover activities such as the development of data standards, provision of training and capacity building for state and local agencies, creation of data-sharing tools and protocols, and coordination with existing federal and state reporting systems. Allowable costs may include staffing, technology development, convenings, evaluation, and dissemination of best practices. Applicants are expected to propose comprehensive plans that demonstrate both technical capacity and subject-matter expertise, as well as a commitment to equity, transparency, and collaboration with child welfare stakeholders. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes nonprofit organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, tribal organizations, and other entities with expertise in child welfare, data systems, and public health. Applicants must demonstrate strong organizational capacity, prior experience in national-level technical assistance or research, and the ability to engage state and local partners effectively. Partnerships with child protective services agencies, medical examiners, and data experts are encouraged to ensure practical application of the center’s work. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by January 22, 2026. The program anticipates making one award to establish the center, with an estimated award ceiling of $3,000,000 for the first year and a project period of five years, subject to annual appropriations. No cost-sharing or matching requirement is specified. Applicants should carefully review the NOFO for required forms, certifications, and assurances. A detailed project narrative, budget justification, resumes of key staff, and letters of support are required components of the application package. Applications will be evaluated on several criteria, including organizational capacity, technical approach, staffing plan, past performance, and alignment with program objectives. Reviewers will also consider the applicant’s ability to promote equitable practices and strengthen national consistency in child fatality data. The Children’s Bureau will provide points of contact for programmatic and grants management questions. All applicants are encouraged to register early in Grants.gov and SAM.gov to avoid last-minute technical issues, as late applications will not be accepted. This funding opportunity reflects the federal government’s continued investment in improving child welfare outcomes through data-driven approaches and intergovernmental collaboration.