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Better results for kids and families through research-informed policy

Executive Summary

1.   What Results Do You Want?

Preventing child abuse requires a two-generation approach that supports parents, addresses children’s developmental needs, and reaches families long before they come in contact with the child welfare system or other formal social service systems. See more information on  priorities and  indicators in this area.

2.   How are your kids?

Children need safe and stable homes in order to thrive. reducing child abuse and neglect requires a multifaceted approach that promotes family protective factors and reduces the impact of adverse conditions that raise the risk of abuse and neglect.  see data for your state, and guidance for understanding  root causes  and projections, and setting targets.

3.   What can policymakers do?

Strategies

Invest in child and family programs  and services that reduce risks and strengthen protective factors.

  • Invest in high quality early care and education.
  • Promote access to health insurance.
  • Support family leave policies.
  • Expand after school centers for teens.
  • Invest in school youth mentoring programs.
  • Ensure a knowledge base for all parents.
  • Require the provision and coordination of  economic supports.
  • Invest in effective teen and unwanted pregnancy prevention strategies.
  • Fund home visiting programs for specific risk groups.
  • Increase access to substance abuse, depression and mental illness supports.
  • Require effective services for domestic violence.
  • Support fatherhood programs.

Strengthen communities  - Improve families’ access to needed services by building and strengthening community capacity and service delivery infrastructure.

  • Improve families’ access to existing services.
  • Fund research-based prevention programs.
  • Require community partnerships.
  • Support community diversity.
  • Fund public awareness campaigns.

Promote a statewide prevention vision  - Pursue a comprehensive, coordinated policy agenda to achieve the safety and security of children in their families and communities.

  • Establish a children’s cabinet.  
  • Require cross agency training and coordination.

Success Story: Kansas

4.   How can you ensure success?   

There are a number of proven ways to reduce child maltreatment by increasing protective factors and reducing risk factors. the key is to select strategies that have documented effectiveness, assure that they are implemented well, and recognize the critical importance of a strong commitment to continuous program improvement. see more guidance on overseeing  implementation  and ensuring accountability. 

5. How can you sustain success?

 Guidance on financing and investing in results and Financing Options.

A video overview of Strengthening Families, a successful child abuse and neglect prevention approach.

Public Costs of Maltreatment. Child abuse and neglect costs Americans $103.8 billion annually (2007 dollars) in direct costs (hospitalization, mental health care system, child welfare services system, and law enforcement) and indirect costs (Special education, juvenile delinquency, mental health and health care, adult criminal justice system, and lost productivity to society). For the full cost-benefit analysis .

Policy and practice recommendations can be found in the Child Welfare Policy Guide with recommendations to address substance abuse in families within the child welfare system.

Podcast. Young children are more likely than older children to be victims of child maltreatment, reported maltreatment rate is highest for infants birth to one year old. In this podcast, Judy Langford, national project director for Strengthening Families, talks about how policymakers have used the Protective Factors to prevent child abuse and neglect and to support families.