 |
MESSAGES FROM OUR PRESIDENT& CHAIRPERSON |
We catch a glimpse of the future when we look into the faces of our nation’s children. Indeed, tomorrow’s generation, the future leaders of America, is being shaped today by the environment in which they live. Whether or not this environment nurtures them to become caring and productive citizens rests in our hands.
Since its establishment in 1972, Prevent Child Abuse America (formerly the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse) has been dedicated to making the health and well-being of children a top priority for everyone. Our programs, research, media campaigns, and activities at the state and local levels have provided leadership to child abuse prevention efforts nationwide.
As the Chairperson and President of Prevent Child Abuse America, we are proud to have the opportunity to serve an organization well recognized for its many contributions to the prevention of child abuse. Recently, Prevent Child Abuse America was featured in Parenting magazine as one of the ten most effective, family-oriented organizations in the country.
In 1997, we celebrated the organization’s 25th anniversary and its many achievements over the years. But our celebration is muted by the knowledge that millions of children face a harsh reality every day in America. Based on this recognition, we renew our commitment to help strengthen children and their families.
Over the past year, our Healthy Families America (HFA) initiative has grown to over 300 sites in 40 states and the District of Columbia. We will further expand this successful initiative so that one day home visitation will be universally available for all new parents. 1997 marked the beginning of a three year $15 million Campaign for Healthy Families. Led by Leland Brendsel, Chairman and CEO of the Freddie Mac Corporation, this campaign will provide significant support for creating a larger and stronger network of HFA programs throughout America.
We have increased our partnerships with other organizations to expand our efforts, including a new collaboration with the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions. Together, we have encouraged and assisted children’s hospitals in their efforts to practice prevention using the HFA model. On the state level, our Chapter Network has provided leadership to promote and implement prevention efforts statewide. Furthermore, through an enhanced chartering process, our chapters are working to reach even higher standards of excellence in their prevention activities.
Last year, our Research Center made noteworthy contributions to the expansion of current knowledge in the child abuse prevention field. For example, we have made tremendous progress in assessing the effectiveness of home visiting programs, and identifying the critical elements of successful prevention efforts. We also completed the initial development stages of our computerized data system, which will help us track the progress of the HFA initiative nationwide.
As
we look to the future, our goal is to encourage more people to get involved
and committed to helping children and their families. We look forward to a
tomorrow in which every child is free from abuse, and nurtured by a loving
family in a caring community. From the very beginning, child abuse prevention
has been our mission; we hope you will make it part of yours as well.
Maura Somers Dughi A. Sidney Johnson III
Chairperson President
Copyright©1999 Prevent Child Abuse America. All rights reserved.