Our 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
1972
Donna J. Stone has a vision of a future in which no children are ever abused or neglected.
She recognizes the importance of ensuring great childhoods for all children, and starts the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse in Chicago with ”seed” money from 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.
1976
Our first state chapter is formed in Kansas, and our first nationwide public service campaign is launched in partnership with the Ad Council.
Those PSAs offer practical solutions to preventing child abuse and delivered the tagline, “Take time out. Don’t take it out on your child.” Through the years, the campaigns shape the way Americans viewed child abuse.
In 1996, more than 18,000 calls were made to the hotline and more than 95% of adults surveyed said they believed child abuse was a serious problem.
1985
Donna J. Stone passes away at her home in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Her legacy as a pioneer in the fight against child abuse continues to this day.
1992
Our signature family support program, Healthy Families America, is born.
With financial support from the Ronald McDonald House Charities, 22 states receive site visits from Hawaii Family Stress Center staff to help ensure the proper implementation and training of staff. Healthy Families America (HFA) is also featured at the Ninth International Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect.
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.
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.
2005
PCA America receives the first of two two-year Because Kids Count! grants from the CDC.
Because Kids Count! grants are focused on the state of prevention across the country and how best to enhance the presence and impact of evidence-based programming.
2008
The Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign is launched nationwide, introducing the pinwheel as the new symbol of child abuse prevention.
By their very nature, pinwheels connote childlike happiness and whimsy and have come to serve as a reminder of the great childhoods we want for all children. Since the campaign’s introduction, Pinwheels for Prevention campaigns have raised awareness and financial support in communities across the country.
2011
The United States Department of Health and Human Services names Healthy Families America a proven home visiting model.
This important recognition comes after a thorough and transparent review of the home visiting research literature, the same year HFA becomes a founding member of the National Movement for America’s Children, which has since evolved into Connect the Dots.
2017
At our Congressional Champions Reception, we acknowledge federal representatives who have taken the fight for home visiting to heart.
Among them are Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR, seen here), who has been a consistent voice for the importance of funding sources for home visiting, such as the MIECHV program, and Senator John Boozman (R-AR), who has co-sponsored key legislation to extend MIECHV.
2018
Childhood trauma receives national attention on 60 Minutes.
In his televised interview with Oprah Winfrey about childhood trauma, PCA America board member Dr. Bruce Perry explains, “If you also have opportunities to be connected to people in positive ways, that can buffer some of those [negative] effects.”
2019
The Mother and Infant Home Visiting Evaluation (MIHOPE) report is released.
The MIHOPE impact study, the largest cross-model home visiting research study to date, references HFA as the model with the largest impact on emotional and physical abuse reduction.
2019
Dr. Melissa Merrick, a senior epidemiologist at the CDC, becomes president & CEO of PCA America.
Dr. Merrick, selected after a nationwide search by our 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.
“PCA America’s dedication to abuse and neglect prevention through the promotion of safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for all children and its network of state chapters can propel true data-driven prevention action. This infrastructure and the organization’s evidence-based approach are among the critical factors that will advance the next generation of prevention work and ensure the conditions for strong and thriving children, families, and communities across the country. I’m eager to begin this exciting new journey.”
