The prevention of child abuse and neglect requires the support and watchfulness of parents, family, and the entire community. The goal of Prevention Services is to strengthen families by ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of its children. These services are designed to:
- Prevent the occurrence (or reoccurrence) of child abuse/neglect from any caretaker
- Prevent out-of-home care (including the prevention of foster care)
To learn more about the work the Virginia Department of Social Services is doing to prevent child abuse and neglect in Virginia, read this message from our Prevention and Protection Assistant Director, Traci Jones.
Pathways to Child SafetyPrevention Services are determined by:
- Target population
- Degree of trauma experienced by the child and family
- Level of intervention by LDSS
Benefits of providing prevention services to families in a strength-based, trauma informed system that promotes protective factors include the following:
- Families who identify their problems and seek help through prevention are more likely to benefit quickly from services and their children are less likely to be at risk of abuse and neglect and out-of-home care.
- Early involvement with the family reduces the likelihood of abuse and neglect occurring, maintains permanency for the child in their family, and preserves sibling groups.
- Strength-based family engagement approaches empower family members and increase their opportunity to be self-sufficient.
- Training and education in the areas of parents' understanding of child development, behavior management, stress management, attachment, and nurturing reduces negative behavior problems and family conflict and improves family relationships.
Report Child Abuse or Neglect
Anyone can report suspected child abuse or neglect to a local department of social services or to the CPS Hotline.
Virginia: 1-800-552-7096
Outside Virginia: 1-804-786-8536
Local Departments of Social Services
