Organization celebrates 50th Anniversary with opportunities to strengthen families to prevent and overcome adversity
CHICAGO (May 16, 2022) – Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America), the nation’s premier organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect, is kicking off its 50th anniversary celebration by showcasing its approach to being a champion for children and families, and changing the narrative around child abuse and neglect.
Founded in 1972 by Chicago philanthropist Donna Stone, PCA America works with a national state chapter network, plus almost 600 Healthy Families America sites nationwide, to deploy proven programs, advocacy, and research that strive toward one common goal: the prevention of child abuse and neglect before it occurs.
“Childhood adversity affects more than individual families – it is costly to society in terms of higher health care costs, lower educational gains and diminished economic potential,” said Dr. Melissa Merrick, President and CEO of PCA America. “We champion community-level solutions, because we know parents can parent better when the entire community lends a hand. When we work together to help children reach their full potential, we can build a more equitable, healthy, and economically thriving nation.”
An estimated one in seven U.S. children experience abuse or neglect. But years of research have shown that vital social and community supports and other protective factors — good nutrition, safe housing, a healthy environment, supportive family relationships, and access to quality care and early education — form the foundation needed for children to thrive.
“The pandemic has been incredibly stressful and difficult for families, parents and children, and showcased long-standing inequities in our communities,” added Merrick. “Yet, decades of research have shown us how we can strengthen parents and children to weather adversity if we use all the tools at our disposal. Parenting is hard even in the best of times. Parents need access to affordable childcare and healthcare, mental health resources, nutritional food, and other basic needs in order to reduce stress and be the best parents they can be.”
In its 50-year history, PCA America has advocated for numerous policy solutions to support family wellbeing, from the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) which is currently up for reauthorization, to the expanded child tax credit, which lifted millions of children out of poverty and hunger when Congress passed it as part of the American Rescue Plan in 2021.
PCA America is also a pioneer in effective home visiting programs to start parents off early with positive parenting resources and counseling right in their own homes. PCA America’s Healthy Families America (HFA), which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is one of the leading family support and evidence-based home visiting programs in the U.S., with nearly 600 sites serving more than 70,000 families annually.
For more information on PCA America’s 50th anniversary celebration, please visit preventchildabuse50.org.
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About Prevent Child Abuse America
Commemorating its 50th year in 2022, Prevent Child Abuse America is a leading champion for all children in the United States. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Chicago, we are the nation’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect, working to actively prevent all forms of child abuse and neglect before they occur. Our success is founded on a nationwide network of state chapters and nearly 600 Healthy Families America home visiting sites, which directly provide parents and caregivers a wide variety of services and resources that help children grow up to be productive, contributing members of their communities and society. Our comprehensive approach is informed by science—we translate and disseminate innovative research to promote proven solutions that our vast network then puts into action. And we raise public awareness and advocate for family friendly policies at the national, state and local levels to support transformative programs and promote the conditions and contexts that help children, families and communities across the country thrive. Visit preventchildabuse.org to learn more.
