Preventing Abuse and Neglect Before It Happens

Press Release

Today, the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services held a hearing on the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). CAPTA is the key federal legislation that helps states combat child abuse and neglect. The legislation provides states with grant funding so that they may develop programs aimed at prevention, assessment, investigation, prosecution, and treatment.

"The scope of this law is significant, and the number of children that are affected by abuse and neglect each year is staggering and absolutely heartbreaking. In 2016, child protective services (CPS) received over 4 million referrals involving 7.4 million children. Teachers, law enforcement, and social services professionals accounted for over half of all referrals. Of those 4 million reports, 2.2 million received a direct response from child protective services. Of that number, approximately 676,000 children were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect," Rep. James Comer (R-KY), Republican Leader of the subcommittee said in his opening statement.

Traditionally, the approach to combating child abuse and neglect has been largely reactionary, addressing situations once they have occurred. Mr. Brad Thomas, CEO of Triple P America (Positive Parenting Program), testified that prevention is the most effective way to support families and protect children from abuse and neglect.

"[P]rimary prevention has been demonstrated to drastically reduce abuse and neglect and can be implemented and begin to take effect quickly. More of a focus on primary prevention can remove the unnecessary trauma experienced by our children - and the long-term effects of maltreatment - while also providing significant savings to our systems and the taxpayer," Mr. Thomas said.

In 2018, CAPTA received $158 million in annual appropriations, with nearly $40 million designated specifically for formula grants to support community-level organizations that focus on prevention. Providing parents and caregivers with education and preventative services is a meaningful way we can strengthen communities and keep children safe.

Committee Republicans are committed to seeking bipartisan solutions that improve CAPTA and provide affected children and families with compassionate and comprehensive care.

Source