The 2018 Family First Prevention Services Act requires the child welfare field to continue building on its knowledge and implementation of evidence-informed prevention practices to help mitigate and end the devastating consequences of child abuse and neglect. Due to the long-term effects child abuse and neglect can have on a child’s physical, psychological, and behavioral health, providing quality primary prevention programs and services is vital. Programs and services that focus on the overall health and well-being of both children and families and that are designed to promote resiliency and parent capacity are key to preventing child maltreatment. To increase the likelihood that children are safe from maltreatment, communities should move beyond efforts solely built on public awareness campaigns to an approach that emphasizes the vital role of community, early intervention services, and collaboration and acknowledges that all parents need support. 

The following resources offer information on decreasing the risk of maltreatment and supporting and strengthening families, including protective factors, public awareness, community activities, positive parenting, prevention programs, and more. You can also find additional information on the National Child Abuse Prevention Month website.

Overview
Understanding child abuse prevention and what to do when children are at risk. Includes frequently asked questions and links to related Federal and national organizations and State contacts that work to prevent child abuse.

Promoting child & family well-being
Information on well-being and ways programs and systems can support it. Includes resources on protective factors, marriage, fatherhood, and parenting.

Public awareness & creating supportive communities
Tools for sharing a child abuse prevention message with your community and building community support.

Prevention programs
Standards for prevention programs, research on what works, information on the role of related professionals, and resources for specific types of programs.

Developing & sustaining prevention programs
Considerations for managing a prevention program, including community needs assessment, collaborating with community partners, family engagement and retention, cultural competence, training, and funding.

Evidence-based practice
Child abuse prevention programs and strategies supported by scientific research.

Evaluating prevention programs
Evaluating program effectiveness and conducting cost analyses.