The policy department also provides technical support at the state level to help facilitate effective advocacy through PCA America’s nationwide networks – its state chapter network and nearly 600 Healthy Families America (HFA) evidence-based home visiting program sites. When communities, policymakers, and resources are invested in comprehensive primary prevention, we can begin to envision a world where the negative impacts and outcomes from child maltreatment will be nonexistent.
Funding federal programmatic efforts such as Community Based Child Abuse Prevention grants and Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences allows states and communities to implement efforts tailored to the needs of their families.
Programs such as early childhood home visiting and family resource centers serve as gateways for families to access important supports, stabilize crises, and promote positive physical, mental, and behavioral health.
Policies such as childcare subsidies, paid family leave, and child tax credits reduce the stressors of poverty that can overload families, promote safe and nurturing family environments, and ultimately build more prosperous communities.
All children and families deserve to live a purposeful and happy life with hope for the future. A child’s early experiences impact them throughout life – both positively and negatively. When families face an overload of stress, it can hamper their ability to provide the supportive relationships and environments children need to prosper. When families have what they need, when they need it, without stigma, children can thrive. To learn more about PCA America’s priorities for supporting children and families, click below:
PCA America advocates for policies and services that strengthen families and communities, promote healthy child development, and prevent child abuse and neglect before it occurs. This includes advocating for investments in children that sets them up thrive through the federal appropriation process. Each year the President submits a budget to Congress for the federal government for the fiscal year (October 1 through September 30). Congress must then pass appropriations bills to provide money to carry out government programs for that year. PCA America makes recommendations for increases in fiscal year 2025 (FY25) Appropriations that includes the highest funding possible to support investments which result in significant and positive outcomes and safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for all children. These federal supports are proven to prevent child maltreatment and ensure children reach their full health and life potential. Our FY25 priorities include increased investment for the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) program, child sexual abuse prevention, and adverse childhood experiences.
