Child Abuse & Foster Care Prevention
image of file cabinet icon representing help opening filesHelp Opening Files image of printer indicating printer friendly versionPrint Version   image of an envelope indicating user can e-mail this page to someoneE-mail Page

Early Child Abuse & Foster Care Prevention

image of a red square resembling a bullet About Early Child Abuse & Foster Care Prevention

This includes services to families who have no current, valid CPS referral, but whose children may be at risk for maltreatment and subsequent placement in the foster care system. These families may have been the subject of a CPS referral, but whose case was determined to be invalid or assessed at low to moderate risk.

image of a red square resembling a bullet Manual

image of a red square resembling a bullet Studies & Survey Results

image of a red square resembling a bullet Resources

What Local Agencies are Doing

Additional Resources

Child Protective Services (CPS) Prevention Services

image of a square resembling a bullet About Prevention Services

Child Protective Services at the Virginia Department of Social Services collaborates with existing networks of public and private non-profit child abuse and neglect prevention programs to provide child abuse and neglect prevention services to families throughout Virginia. Some examples are listed below.

image of a red square resembling a bullet Program Funding & Collaboration

  • Blue Ribbon Plan to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect in Virginia 2005-2009:
    In 2004 the Virginia Department of Social Services and Prevent Child Abuse Virginia partnered with public and private sector organizations and citizens to develop a state plan for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The plan contains nine comprehensive strategies to increase child safety and family and well-being.

  • Community Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP):
    The Virginia Department of Social Services receives federal CBCAP funds from the Office of Child Abuse and Neglect (OCAN), Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Funds awarded to Virginia through this grant are used to support the development, operation and expansion of community-based, prevention-focused programs and activities. For FY 2008, a total of $591,802 was awarded to 13 projects.

  • Healthy Families:
    Healthy Families is a national program model designed to help expectant and new parents get their children off to a healthy start. Families participate voluntarily in the program and receive home visiting and referrals from trained staff. By providing services to overburdened families, Healthy Families fits into the continuum of services provided to families in many communities.

  • Hugs and Kisses:
    Celebrating the 25th year of operation, this nationally acclaimed, award-winning child sexual abuse prevention program for children K-5 tours local schools in Virginia annually. The production by Theatre IV is supported through funds allocated from the Virginia General Assembly for awareness and prevention. Safety messages are presented to as many as 50,000 children in up to 159 performances per school year.

  • Virginia Child Protection Newsletter:
    The Virginia Child Protection Newsletter (VCPN) is published by James Madison University through a contract with the Virginia Department of Social Services. Each newsletter is focused on one or more topics in child welfare. The articles provide a survey of literature and also address current practice issues.

  • Virginia Coalition for Child Abuse Prevention Month:
    This statewide child abuse and neglect prevention effort promotes public awareness through printing and distribution of materials to approximately 2,000 individuals and agencies in local communities every April.

  • Virginia Family Violence Prevention Program (VFVPP):
    Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention
    VFVPP Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention funding was established by the Virginia legislature to assist in the development of programs focused on primary and secondary child abuse and neglect prevention. For FY 2008, a total of $500,000 was awarded to 11 projects.

Child Abuse Prevention Month 2013

image of a red square resembling a bullet About Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Support the Blue Ribbon Campaign.

Annually the governor designates April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Virginia. Individuals and organizations in Virginia and across the United States mark the month with public awareness efforts and by distributing blue ribbons for people to wear and display.

Child abuse and neglect is the cause of more than 1,000 deaths each year in the United States. In Virginia, every 83 minutes a child is abused or neglected. Every 10 days a child dies from abuse or neglect. What can you do to save a child from abuse, neglect, and death?

image of a red square resembling a bullet Packet Materials

image of a red square resembling a bullet Health & Safety

image of a red square resembling a bullet Social & Emotional Well-Being

image of a red square resembling a bullet Encouragement & Nurturing

image of a red square resembling a bullet Preventing Abuse & Implementing Solutions