Public Policy

PCA America advocates for policies and services that strengthen families and communities, promote healthy child development, and prevent child abuse and neglect before it occurs. This includes advocating for investments in children that sets them up thrive through the federal appropriation process. Each year the President submits a budget to Congress for the federal government for the fiscal year (October 1 through September 30). Congress must then pass appropriations bills to provide money to carry out government programs for that year. PCA America makes recommendations for increases in fiscal year 2025 (FY25) Appropriations that includes the highest funding possible to support investments which result in significant and positive outcomes and safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for all children. These federal supports are proven to prevent child maltreatment and ensure children reach their full health and life potential.  Our FY25 priorities include increased investment for the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) program, child sexual abuse prevention, and adverse childhood experiences.

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) in the American Rescue Plan provides the largest Child Tax Credit ever and historic relief to the most working families ever – and as of July 15th, most families are automatically receiving monthly payments. This tax cut for families will help ease the burden of rising costs, the impact of the current pandemic, and is helping all families succeed, from families struggling to cover basic needs like food, rent, and other bills, to middle-class families that need help with child care and college savings. Data from the Census Household Pulse survey shows that families mostly spent their recent Child Tax Credit payments on basic needs, including food, utilities, clothing, school supplies, paying down debt, and boosting savings. However, this critical support is set to expire. As the House and Senate are finalizing the reconciliation package–the annual federal budget process where Congress sets total spending, revenues, the surplus or deficit, and the public debt–decisions are being made on the Child Tax Credit now.

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) is a federal law that provides grants to states to support the prevention, assessment, investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse and neglect. While the majority of federal dollars for child abuse and neglect support foster care services, CAPTA supports front-end services that prevent system involvement and keeps families together whenever safely possible. CAPTA is due to be reauthorized by Congress in 2022. PCA America supports a strong and comprehensive reauthorization bill that includes significantly higher funding levels, increases transparency and accountability in the program, increases the focus on primary prevention and family support services, and promotes race equity.