Child Maltreatment Prevention

Children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect may face short- and long-term negative effects on their health and well-being. Subsequent removal from their homes and placement into foster care can also be traumatic and further exacerbate these negative effects. To prevent child maltreatment and possible entry into foster care, effective programs are needed to enhance families’ protective factors and address risk factors. Child Trends’ child welfare team works to meet these children and families’ needs by: