Frequently Asked Questions: Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect

Questions and answers

  • What are the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) grants?
    The CBCAP program, funded by the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children's Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides funding to States to develop, operate, expand, and enhance community-based, prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect. The program was reauthorized, amended, and renamed as part of the CAPTA amendments in 2003. To receive these funds, the Governor of each State must designate a lead agency to receive the funds and implement the program. This program also supports the FRIENDS National Resource Center to assist CBCAP lead agencies with the development, implementation, and evaluation of child abuse prevention programs and activities.
  • Which Federal and National organizations partner to promote child abuse prevention?
    Many organizations and programs are involved in promoting the well-being of children and families and preventing child abuse and neglect. Many provide information and services to support prevention activities. For a complete list of Prevention Initiative Partners, see
    National Child Abuse Prevention Partner Organizations
  • What is Child Abuse Prevention Month?
    Agencies, organizations, communities, and individual citizens nationwide observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month each April with activities, programs, and resources to encourage everyone to take an active role in preventing child abuse and neglect and strengthening families. To learn more, see National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
  • Can I use the Prevention Month logo?
    A number of resources are available to help you with your own child abuse prevention efforts. Visit our Online Media Toolkit to download logos, public service announcements, and other sample materials.
  • Can you give me some examples of Prevention Month activities for my community?
    There are any number of ways to help raise awareness, strengthen families, and protect children in your community. See Public Awareness & Creating Supportive Communities for examples of activities and resources to help you share your message.

(Back to Top)

General resources

  • Home Study Requirements for Prospective Parents in Domestic Adoption
    Series Title State Statutes
    Author(s)
    Child Welfare Information Gateway
    Availability View
    Download (PDF - 1,404KB)
    Year Published 2016
    Summarizes State laws and policies for approving prospective adoptive homes. This document describes who must be included in the home study, qualifications for adoptive parents, elements of the home study, exceptions for stepparent or relative placements, postplacement assessments of the child's adjustment to the adoptive family, requirements for placements across State lines, and more.

  • Video: Child Welfare Information Gateway Prevention Resources
  • Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect
    State and local governments, community organizations, and private citizens take action every day to protect children. You can help, too. This factsheet provides information on how communities and individual citizens can strengthen families, protect children, and prevent child abuse and neglect.
  • National Child Abuse Prevention Partner Organizations
  • 2018 Prevention Resource Guide: Keeping Children Safe and Families Strong in Supportive Communities
    Author(s)
    Child Welfare Information Gateway;Children's Bureau;FRIENDS National Resource Center For Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention
    Availability View
    Download (PDF - 2,430KB)
    Order bound (Free)
    Year Published 2018
    This Resource Guide was developed to support service providers in their work with parents, caregivers, and their children to prevent child abuse and neglect and promote child and family well-being. It was created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Children's Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, its Child Welfare Information Gateway, and the FRIENDS National Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention. The resources featured represent the work of a broad-based partnership of national organizations, Federal partners, and parents committed to strengthening families and communities.

(Back to Top)

Frequently requested information

  • Evaluation Toolkit and Logic Model Builder
    Provides resources on evaluating the effectiveness of prevention, family support, and parenting programs and a Logic Model Builder that takes the user through the process of developing a logic model step by step.
  • Results of Evaluations of Child Abuse Prevention Programs
    Resources evaluating the effectiveness of different approaches or programs seeking to prevent child abuse and neglect or strengthen families.
  • Parenting Resources
    Parenting tip sheets and other resources to support parents, including a year-long calendar of activities to strengthen families and support child abuse prevention.
  • National Parent Helpline®
    Provides parents and caregivers emotional support and links to services if necessary: 1.855.4.A.PARENT (1.855.427.2736).

(Back to Top)