Public Policy
We advocate for policies and services that strengthen families and communities, promote healthy child development, and prevent child abuse and neglect before it happens.
We do this through our nationwide state chapter network and nearly 600 Healthy Families America (HFA) evidence-based home visiting program sites across the country.
The public policy program at Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) operates on the national level to mobilize support for federal policies and provide technical support to help facilitate effective advocacy at the state and local levels,too. When communities, policymakers, and resources are invested in prevention strategies, we can begin to envision a world where the negative impacts and outcomes from child maltreatment will be nonexistent.
PCA America has been fortunate to have continued widespread bipartisan support from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents for our policies and initiatives and are grateful for Congress’ actions to support children and families.
Policy Agendas
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2020 Federal Policy Agenda
Prevent Child Abuse America recommends that Congress and state legislatures across the country prioritize children and families in both their legislative and budgetary decisions in 2020 through strategies that strengthen families and reduce child abuse and neglect.
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2020 State Policy Agenda
State legislative policies ought to prioritize programs that emphasize the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Select Public Policy Resources
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Paid Family Leave Toolkit
This toolkit is a product of the Prevent Child Abuse (PCA America) Chapter Network Policy Affinity Group’s work across the policy area of paid family leave as a strategy in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Affinity Group Reports
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Medicaid & Home Visiting
Learn why the Medicaid program is a good funding option for states who wish to both support existing home visiting services and expand access to home visiting services.
Stats & Factsheets
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Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) & HFA Home Visiting
Learn how the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) gives states, territories, and tribes the option to use child welfare programming funds (Title IV-E federal funds) for evidence-based preventive services.
Stats & Factsheets
Engage in Advocacy
You can influence public policy! Advocacy happens in many different ways, but at its core advocacy is about building relationships, creating awareness, and educating others around the issues and policies that matter to you. Becoming an advocate doesn’t need to feel intimidating. Policymakers want to hear about the issues that concern their constituents the most and welcome your feedback.
Help advocate for children and families in your community today with our easy-to-use Voter Voice action center (below). See which issues we support, sign up for action alerts, and find and contact your elected representatives. Let them know you support policies and programs that promote healthy child development and prevent child abuse and neglect before it happens.
Our Public Policy Experts
