A Theory of Change for Primary Prevention in the United States
Our vision is a world in which all children and families are living a purposeful and happy life with hope for the future.
Theory of Change of Diagram
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Values and Beliefs
PCA America’s Values and Beliefs reflect the character of the organization and what sets us apart from others in the prevention field. They serve as a foundation guiding the organization’s strategies, partnerships, actions, and decisions.
PCA America Strategies
PCA America Strategies are efforts the organization is committing to pursue to do our part in helping our nation build an aligned and comprehensive primary prevention ecosystem to advance the aspirations for all children and families.
The North Star
The North Star represents the future we envision.
Aspirations for Children and Families
Aspirations for children and families represent key facets of health and well-being that PCA America is aiming to influence directly and indirectly through its efforts (e.g., HFA home visiting, policy advocacy, etc.). This includes reducing disparities in the aspirations across intersections of demographics (e.g., race/ethnicity, geography, etc.). The aspirations and associated indicators can currently be examined through existing data sources within regional populations, and ideally over time within populations engaged with the PCA America Network.
Aligned and Comprehensive Primary Prevention Ecosystem
An aligned and comprehensive primary prevention ecosystem includes families, communities, elected officials and policy makers, and cross-sector (e.g., child welfare, education, business and economic development, health, housing, government, etc.) organizations and institutions at regional, state, and national levels. PCA America and its Network are part of the primary prevention ecosystem.

Aligned and Comprehensive Primary Prevention Ecosystem
An aligned and comprehensive primary prevention ecosystem includes families, communities, elected officials and policy makers, and cross-sector (e.g., child welfare, education, business and economic development, health, housing, government, etc.) organizations and institutions at regional, state, and national levels. PCA America and its Network are part of the primary prevention ecosystem.
Aspirations for Children and Families
Aspirations for children and families represent key facets of health and well-being that PCA America is aiming to influence directly and indirectly through its efforts (e.g., HFA home visiting, policy advocacy, etc.). This includes reducing disparities in the aspirations across intersections of demographics (e.g., race/ethnicity, geography, etc.). The aspirations and associated indicators can currently be examined through existing data sources within regional populations, and ideally over time within populations engaged with the PCA America Network.
The North Star
The North Star represents the future we envision.
PCA America Strategies
PCA America Strategies are efforts the organization is committing to pursue to do our part in helping our nation build an aligned and comprehensive primary prevention ecosystem to advance the aspirations for all children and families.
Values and Beliefs
PCA America’s Values and Beliefs reflect the character of the organization and what sets us apart from others in the prevention field. They serve as a foundation guiding the organization’s strategies, partnerships, actions, and decisions.

Download the complete document
Imagine a world where all children have what they need to thrive and prosper, and all parents have the resources and supports they need to care for their children adequately. Prevent Child Abuse America believes this envisioned world is possible, and in response, embarked on a comprehensive, adaptive strategy process in 2022 to set a vision for the creation of a primary prevention ecosystem in the United States that builds the well-being of our nation’s children and families.

Theory of Change Plug and Play
PCA America’s Theory of Change includes four main sections that can be used to guide current and future action within PCA America and the broader prevention field.