PCA America Race Equity Literature Review

The conditions and contexts in which people live have a profound impact on health, well-being, and quality of life.

Primary prevention strategies (e.g., programs, policies, or other approaches) aim to reduce or prevent child abuse and neglect before it occurs and ensure safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for children and families (Frieden, 2010; Fortson et al., 2016). However, there is limited understanding whether primary prevention-focused programs are culturally responsive and help advance racial equity (The National Research Agenda Project for a 21st Century Approach to Child Welfare, 2022).

This review aims to understand how family support programs working towards primary prevention—specifically evidence-based home visiting programs and family resource centers (FRCs)—actively promote racial equity efforts within their communities.