Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect
HFA demonstrates positive outcomes for children and families, including reductions in child abuse and neglect.
Eight studies show that HFA has early impacts on child maltreatment prevention among children ages 1 to 3 years old, including:
FEWER substantiated reports
with families
who engage in services
LESS emotional abuse
&
LESS neglect
LESS harsh discipline
&
LESS physical abuse
FEWER hospitalizations for child abuse
I have learned through Healthy Families America that you don’t need to use physical punishment or call your kids names to get them to listen to you. I’ve learned different ways to be calm and the importance of getting on their level to understand their emotions and to let her know I get it. I can show her that I understand and then she knows she can trust me because I am calm with her.
HFA Helps Reduce Child Protective Services Involvement
In a study looking at outcomes up to age 7, school-age children of young, first time moms who enrolled in HFA early in pregnancy were 49% less likely to experience an indicated Child Protective Services (CPS) report.
HFA prevents the recurrence of child maltreatment by 1/3 among families with prior CPS involvement.
HFA Increases Positive Parenting Practices
HFA parents had more confidence in themselves as parents and did more to promote healthy child development, such as having more positive interactions with their children.
HFA parents also used more positive discipline with less yelling and less physical punishment.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
The lifetime economic burden for each victim of child maltreatment is approximately $830,928. By investing in upstream prevention programs, like home visiting, we can prevent child abuse and neglect before it can begin. This not only saves taxpayer dollars, but also helps strengthen families and create thriving communities.
Help us prevent child abuse and neglect
New funding for prevention
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. The Healthy Families America (HFA) model has received the highest possible rating of “well-supported” through the Prevention Services Clearinghouse, and many states are considering including the HFA model as part of their prevention plan.
HFA’s Child Welfare Adaptation extends services to more families
While HFA works with all families, the program best serves those who are high-risk and overburdened, including those who have been involved in the child welfare system. HFA’s evidence of effectiveness and the flexibility of enrollment offered through the child welfare adaptation make HFA a great prevention choice for states and child welfare organizations seeking to strengthen families and reduce the number of children placed in foster care.
Want to contact us?
Interested in learning more about our home visiting programs or helping transform childhoods and communities? Get in touch—we’ll respond as quickly as we can.