April Newsletter: What We Mean by Prevention

April Newsletter

What We Mean by Prevention

Ever since I started with Prevent Child Abuse Arizona nearly 10 years ago, I’ve had opportunities to lead presentations for various groups. After introducing myself and sharing the mission of PCAAZ, I usually ask a question: “How can child abuse be prevented?”

A decade ago, I got a lot of the same answer. It went something like this: “You teach people to look for signs of abuse and neglect, and you tell them to call CPS.”

See something, say something.

That’s not prevention.

IMPACT

Don't Forget the Fathers

By Molly Peterson, Director of Strategic Partnerships

Between juggling my role at Prevent Child Abuse Arizona and the joyous whirlwind of being a mom to a toddler, I’ve sought guidance and relief from parenting books. I frequently pass them onto my husband, who is just as eager to soak up any wisdom on how to parent our rapidly growing child. After quietly finishing another book, he turned to me with mixed emotions.

“The tools were so helpful,” he said, “but why was it written as if moms would be the only one who would use them?”

He’s right – the perspective of fathers is often missed in family services. That’s why, for the past year, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona partnered with the DCS Office of Prevention to offer a four-part Fatherhood Engagement Series.

ADVOCACY

Tell Congress to Expand the Child Tax Credit

The House passed the bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act―the tax package that includes an expanded Child Tax Credit ―and now it’s stagnating in the Senate. Contact your member of Congress and urge them to support tax relief for families. The link below makes it easy for you to contact them!

Take Action

TODAY IN PREVENTION

OPT-In for Families Initiative

The Doris Duke Foundation launched Opportunities for Prevention & Transformation (OPT-in for Families),

a three-year, $33 million project focused on transforming the nation's response to child abuse prevention.

Four pilot sites will invest Doris Duke funds to actively connect families with direct support for basic needs at the earliest sign of need. The initiative relies on trusted community partners to build a cost-effective, scalable child well-being system.

Stronger Mandated Reporting Laws Don't Make Children Safer

A new Child Trends analysis explores the relationship between mandated reporting policies and mandated reporters’ ability to accurately detect maltreatment.

Harris Institute for Early Childhood Mental Health Training

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health is a dynamic and rapidly growing field. This growth creates a high demand for knowledgeable professionals who can meet the unique needs of young children.

Southwest Human Development hosts the Harris Institute's prestigious certificate program, the only one in the southwest. Click here to learn more about their one-year and two-year certifications in Infant/Family Studies.

Learn More

Set your Calendars!

The 30th Arizona Child Abuse Prevention Conference will take place July 23 & 24, 2024 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale.

Registration opens on Monday, April 15 at pcaaz.org/capconf

As a 501(c)3 organization, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona is eligible to receive bequests. Please contact Molly Peterson at molly@pcaaz.org if you would like to discuss including Prevent Child Abuse Arizona in your legacy.

Prevent Child Abuse Arizona can only accept donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations located in the State of Arizona.

Tax ID #86-0832901

Prevent Child Abuse Arizona is dedicated to strengthening families and protecting children through collaboration, education, and advocacy. The organization provides research-based prevention services, education and training to help promote strong families and safe, healthy children. For more information, visit pcaaz.org.