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Topic: Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Secondary)

Scientific Ratings in this topic:
1 - Well-Supported by Research Evidence
2 - Supported by Research Evidence
3 - Promising Research Evidence
4 - Evidence Fails to Demonstrate Effect
5 - Concerning Practice
NR - Not able to be Rated
Learn more about the scale

Definition for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Secondary):

Prevention from the child welfare perspective is about targeted activities aimed at educating the public about child abuse and neglect, with the goal of stopping it before it happens, and/or intervening early when it has already occurred to prevent it from happening again. Borrowing from the public health community, professionals working to prevent child abuse and neglect have utilized a framework of prevention services consisting of three levels of service. These levels of service are defined as primary prevention programs, directed at the general population (universal); secondary prevention programs, targeted to individuals or families in which maltreatment is more likely (high risk); and tertiary prevention programs, targeted toward families in which abuse has already occurred (indicated). Secondary prevention consists of activities targeted to families that have one or more risk factors, including families with substance abuse or domestic violence issues, teenage parents, parents of special needs children, single parents and low-income families. These services may include parent education and training for high-risk parents, respite care, and home visiting programs.

Why was Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Secondary) chosen as a topic by the Advisory Committee? (Click for Answer)

Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Secondary) was chosen by the Advisory Committee because it plays a key role in the continuum of child welfare services. Child safety is the primary goal for child protection agencies. Per the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act "the failure to coordinate and comprehensively prevent and treat child abuse and neglect threatens the futures of thousands of children and results in a cost to the Nation of billions of dollars in tangible expenditures, as well as significant intangible costs." To prevent child abuse and neglect, or to intervene early when a situation is brought to the attention of child protection agencies, is a shared community responsibility. With the introduction and implementation of the Differential Response approach in California, information regarding proven prevention and early intervention strategies is critical to the continuation of the child welfare improvements states are seeking to achieve. Promoting safe, healthy, and nurturing environments are essential to the well-being of children and their families.

Teresa Contreras, MSW
Retired Chief, Office of Child Abuse Prevention
Former CEBC Advisory Committee Member

Programs in this topic area

Here are your search results for programs in the area of Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Secondary):

The programs listed below have been reviewed by the CEBC and, if appropriate, been rated using the Scientific Rating Scale.

Programs with a Scientific Rating of 1 - Well-Supported by Research Evidence:

  • Incredible Years, The (IY) – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Parent Training, Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Secondary)
    Parents, teachers, and children.
  • Triple P - Positive Parenting Program – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Parent Training, Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Secondary)
    Parents and other caregivers of children from birth through age 18.

Programs with a Scientific Rating of 2 - Supported by Research Evidence:

  • SafeCare® – detailed view
    [Project SafeCare]
    Topics: Interventions for Neglect, Parent Training, Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Secondary), Home Visiting for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
    Parents at-risk for child neglect and/or abuse and parents with a history of child neglect and/or abuse

Programs with a Scientific Rating of 3 - Promising Research Evidence:

Programs with a Scientific Rating of NR - Not able to be Rated: