Building on more than 50 years of impact
For more than five decades, Prevent Child Abuse America has invested in innovative programs, research and strategies aimed at increasing the focus on primary prevention and family support services.
PCA America’s History
“We realized back in 1972 that the most important unfunded project was in the area of child abuse.”
– Donna J. Stone
interviewed in the Chicago Tribune
2024
Prevent Child Abuse America Awarded $1.7 million From the CDC to Strengthen Public Health Systems
Prevent Child Abuse America is awarded $1.7 million by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This significant grant aims at bolstering public health systems to prevent violence against children and promote safe, healthy environments for families. The funds supported initiatives focused on preventing child maltreatment, building stronger prevention programs, and creating sustainable changes in communities across the nation.
Groundbreaking CDC Cooperative Agreement to Prevent Family Violence
Prevent Child Abuse America secured a pivotal CDC CoAg to lead a three-year study evaluating how state-level economic policies can collectively prevent child maltreatment and intimate partner violence. This research provides critical insights for policymakers, aiming to foster safer communities and support family well-being nationwide.
PCA America Supports Three Annie E. Casey Foundation Grantees
PCA America awarded additional funding from The Annie E. Casey Foundation to continue support to community based non-profits.
These grants were awarded to three previously funded community-based nonprofits with a strong history of engaging Black, Latino, and Indigenous youth and families within Thriving Families, Safer Children (TFSC) sites to continue to support youth, family, and community partnership-building initiatives.
2023
PCA America Launches its Theory of Change
Our new Theory of Change for Primary Prevention was released during our National Conference in Baltimore, MD to a sold out audience.
PCA America Supports Four Annie E. Casey Foundation Grantees
PCA America awarded additional funding from The Annie E. Casey Foundation to continue support to community based non-profits.
These grants were awarded to four previously funded community-based nonprofits with a strong history of engaging Black, Latino, and Indigenous youth and families within Thriving Families, Safer Children (TFSC) sites to continue to support youth, family, and community partnership-building initiatives.
2022
PCA America Awarded $600,000 From the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to Support Thriving Families, Safer Children
PCA America received its first grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in support of Thriving Families, Safer Children. This funding was provided to support selected state chapters participating in the national movement. These nine state chapters focused on primary prevention using a public health approach to prevent child abuse and neglect.
PCA America Celebrates 50 Years of Progress
For 50 years, PCA America has generated a lasting nationwide impact. Annually since 2022, our impact includes 951,600 home visits, 102,300 children served, 66,881 families served, and 285,250 individuals directly impacted. We hosted a gala in celebration in which long-time PCA America supporter Oprah took part in supporting our 50 years of success.
PCA America Awarded a CDC Grant to Evaluate Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Policies Across the U.S.
On September 30, 2022 PCA America was awarded the CDC Cooperative Agreement.
PCA America Awarded $1 Million From The Annie E. Casey Foundation to Focus on Child and Family Well-being through Prevention and Equity
PCA America announced a $1 million grant from The Annie E. Casey Foundation to support youth, family, and community partnership-building initiatives. These grants were awarded to community-based nonprofits with a strong history of engaging Black, Latino, and Indigenous youth and families within Thriving Families, Safer Children (TFSC) sites. Funding was provided to ten organizations across eight TFSC locations.
2021
Prevent Child Abuse America Awarded $1.5 Million to Focus on Child and Family Well-being Through Prevention and Equity
PCA America announces a $1.5 million grant to support efforts reducing the need for families to become involved with child protection agencies, funding work advancing Thriving Families, Safer Children.
2020
First-of-its-kind National Partnership Between PCA America, the U.S. Children’s Bureau, Casey Family Programs, and The Annie E. Casey Foundation to Create Thriving Families, Safer Children
The U.S. Children’s Bureau, Casey Family Programs, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and PCA America partner to launch a national effort to redesign child welfare and prove that it is possible to fundamentally rethink child welfare by creating the conditions for strong, thriving families where children are free from harm.
PCA America Received a CDC Grant to Evaluate the Effects of Paid Family Leave and Childcare Subsidies on Multiple Forms of Violence
The CDC Grant: Policy Strategies for the Prevention of Multiple Forms of Violence Against Children and Youth was received on September 1, 2020.
2019
Dr. Melissa T. Merrick, a Senior Epidemiologist at the CDC, Becomes President & CEO of PCA America
Dr. Merrick, selected after a nationwide search by the board of directors, brings more than 18 years of clinical research, and leadership experience related to the etiology, course and prevention of child abuse and neglect.
2012
Our Signature Program, Healthy Families America, Surpasses 500 Sites Nationwide
The number of HFA program sites surpasses 500. Combined, they serve nearly 70,000 families annually in 35 states and five US territories in 2012.
2011
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Identified Healthy Families America as a Proven Home Visiting Model
This recognition followed a thorough review of the home visiting research literature.
2010
Healthy Families America Becomes Eligible for Funding Through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program
The Affordable Care Act is signed into law, allocating $1.5 billion for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program, the first federally funded program for states and territories to provide evidence-based home visiting services to prenatal families and families with children up to age five. HFA is one of the most frequently implemented with MIECHV dollars.
2009
Home Visiting as an Evidence-Based Strategy
Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness (HomVEE) is launched, acknowledging HFA as the only model with favorable impacts in all eight established domains. Today, HFA is still one of only 3 to achieve this out of 26 evidence-based models.
2008
PCA America Launches the Pinwheels for Prevention® Campaign Nationwide
Introducing the pinwheel as the new symbol for child abuse prevention, the campaign raises awareness and financial support in communities across the country.
2007
PCA America Receives Because Kids Count! Grant From the CDC
This grant focuses on prevention nationwide and enhancing evidence-based programming.
PCA America Awarded Department of Justice Grant
PCA America was awarded a 3-year grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Department of Justice, for $1.5 million, in partnership with the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) and Purdue University, beginning October 1, 2007.
2003
Expanding Our Knowledge
PCA America’s Research Center, with assistance from the Packard Foundation and in partnership with HFA’s Research Practice Council, publishes a national study of HFA implementation, examining factors associated with family engagement and retention, along with many other service characteristics.
2000
Amplifying Our Research Network
With funding from the Packard Foundation, PCA America creates an HFA Research-Practice Council involving HFA researchers and practitioners from 12 states with rigorous evaluations, in a multi-year collaboration
PCA America Awarded DOJ Grant
PCA America was awarded a DOJ grant, beginning October 1, 2007.
1999
The National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse is Renamed Prevent Child Abuse America
In partnership with the National Family Support Roundtable, the newly renamed Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) receives federal funding to support the growth of a national network of parent self-help and mutual support programs, which evolves into the Circle of Parents program.
1998
The Original Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study Between Kaiser Permanente and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is Published
Over 17,000 HMO members from Southern California complete surveys regarding their childhood experiences and current health status and behaviors. The study finds a strong relationship between ACEs and multiple risk factors for several of the leading causes of death in adults.
1994
The National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse Hosts its First National Conference, Building a Foundation for Research
The first national conference takes place drawing more than 300 attendees. Later in 1994, the Ronald McDonald House Charities renews its support of HFA, bestowing an additional grant of $2 million upon the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse (NCPCA).
1993
A Breakthrough in the Design of Our Model
The HFA model more fully emerges in 1993, when NCPCA developers create a research-based structure to ensure HFA’s effectiveness and ability to be implemented flexibly in any community. While allowing communities to tailor the HFA program to fit their unique demographic needs, HFA releases its first set of “Critical Elements,” a total of 35 requirements that must be met for any site to use the Healthy Families branding.
Federal Grant Received From the Office of Child Abuse and Neglect
NCPCA was awarded a federal grant from the Office of Child Abuse and Neglect for a randomized control trial of the Hawaii Healthy Start Program.
1992
The National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse Launches its Signature Family Support Program: Healthy Families America
Healthy Families America (HFA) was launched in 1992 with a vision to make evidence-based home visiting something every community, whether big or small, could access, knowing families and communities are experiencing many different strengths and challenges.
1990
A “National Epidemic” Declared
The US Department of Health and Human Services declares child abuse and neglect a national epidemic.
1987
A National Survey Explores Child Abuse and Neglect
NCPCA’s recently established National Research Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse publishes the first-ever 50 -tate survey of child abuse and neglect.
1985
Remembering Our Founder, Donna J. Stone
PCA America’s co-founder, Donna J. Stone passed away at her home in Lake Forest, Illinois. Her legacy as a pioneer in the fight against child abuse continues to this day.
1976
Our First State Chapter is Formed in Kansas, and Our First Nationwide Public Service Campaign is Launched in Partnership with the AdCouncil
Those PSAs offer practical solutions to prevent child abuse and delivered the tagline, “Take timeout. Don’t take it out on your child.”
1972
Donna J. Stone Has a Vision of a Future in Which No Children are Ever Abused or Neglected
Recognizing the importance of ensuring great childhoods for all children, Donna J. Stone starts the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse in Chicago sponsored by her own fortune. In 1974, the committee sponsors a four-day seminar on child abuse at the University of Chicago Center for Continuing Education, which more than 300 people attend. The 200,000 cases of child abuse reported annually ”are just the tip of the iceberg,” she says at the time, because few states actively enforce the requirement that incidents be reported.