Melissa T. Merrick, PhD, is President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America), the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect.
At Prevent Child Abuse America, we work hard to realize our vision of a world where all children grow up happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed in supportive families and communities.
You can influence public policy. Advocacy happens in many different ways, but at its core advocacy is about raising awareness, building and leveraging relationships, and educating others around the issues and policies that matter to you.
Sixteen states are considering legislation that would restrict physicians from providing medically necessary gender-affirming care to youth, and one state recently enacted such a law. Several of these bills would also criminalize parents who affirm their children’s gender identity, defining such affirmation as child abuse. These laws stand in direct opposition to the evidence-based care recognized by numerous professional societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, Endocrine Society, and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Thriving Families, Safer Children: A National Commitment to Well-Being—a first-of-its-kind effort of the U.S. Children’s Bureau, Casey Family Programs, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Prevent Child Abuse America—has expanded its reach to include child welfare jurisdictions in 22 states that stretch from coast to coast and a sovereign tribal nation. In announcing the addition of sites in 16 states, the District of Columbia and White Earth Nation, Thriving Families’ national partner leads are signaling the growing momentum to fundamentally rethink child welfare by creating the conditions and support systems for strong, thriving families where children are free from harm and supported in their communities.
Families experienced enormous life-altering changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, with disruptions in daily routines, children’s schooling, finances, and personal relationships. The stress has taken a toll on many, and yet a recent survey shows that families also reported positive experiences as they found ways to adapt and strengthen bonds with children.
It’s never been easier to make your voice heard. All it takes is a few taps on a screen, clicks on a keyboard, or a message on your preferred social media platform to urge your elected officials to make a crucial investment in protecting our nation’s children. In many ways, it’s also never been more critical to let lawmakers know that it’s imperative that Congress appropriate $750 million for Title II of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) in fiscal year 2022.
What is CAPTA?
Created in 1974, CAPTA has provided funding to keep children safe and strengthen families through several initiatives. The federal law provides grants to states to support the prevention, assessment, investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse and neglect, such as the primary prevention strategies at the heart of Title II (Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention [CBCAP] grants) to the identification and treatment of abuse and neglect in Title I (state grants).
Although the U.S. House of Representatives unanimouslypassed CAPTA reauthorization last year, it was unfortunately never considered on the Senate floor, and therefore, never passed into law by Congress.
Why is CBCAP especially important now?
Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) grants enable states to provide several services to help prevent child abuse and strengthen families. Home visiting programs, parent support
The Villages of Indiana board of directors announces Shannon Schumacher, MSW, LCAC, LSW, has been selected to become the next CEO and president. She assumes the top job from President and CEO Sharon Pierce, who retires after nearly 30 years of tenure.
Spring has started to announce its presence, and for much of the country, that means milder temperatures, longer days, and the promise of a garden full of beautiful flowers and nourishing food. Spring, the embodiment of hope, also brings an opportunity to cultivate a different kind of garden—Pinwheels for Prevention🄬.
Ever since April was designated as National Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month in 1983, Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) and its nationwide network of state chapters, along with other child welfare organizations, have recognized it as a time to raise awareness and inspire collective action, so that our country’s children can lead their best lives.
The board of directors of Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey and its nonprofit subsidiary Child Wellness Institute is pleased to announce that Gina Hernandez will succeed Rush L. Russell as its next executive director beginning on April 5, 2021.
Chicago—Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) announced today two new $25,000 innovation grants, one to focus on preventing human trafficking in New Jersey and another to promote positive parenting through a groundbreaking fatherhood initiative in Ohio. The grants are an integral part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to provide the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments that enable children, families, and entire communities to thrive.
Join us Monday, March 22, at 1:00-2:30 PM CT, to be among the first to hear new recommendations on reframing childhood adversity from the FrameWorks Institute.