We are moving all of our blogging to our new website!

Thanks for coming here to check out the blog, but please head to our new Prevent Child Abuse America website, which you can do here, because we are now doing all of our blogging there. Thanks!

We're One Day Away!

Can you believe December starts tomorrow? 

When we think about the year that has gone by so quickly, we are thankful for those who support our efforts to ensure that all children have great childhoods because our children are our future.

This year, thanks to your support, Prevent Child Abuse America has expanded the Healthy Families America program to over 630 sites and was able to serve over 85,000 families across the country! Those families are able to focus on nurturing positive parent-child bonds and parents' efforts to provide the foundation for healthy child development.

We want to do even better in 2016!

By giving a gift  on Giving Tuesday, you will help to achieve that goal and will play an important role to ensure that all children have the great childhoods that they deserve.

We All Play A Role.

For the past ten years I have been honored to be President & CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America. That role is going to change however, because retirement is in my plans for early next year.

The last ten years have seen the incredible expansion of our Healthy Families America home visiting program, now serving 85,000 families each year. Our bullying prevention and child sexual abuse prevention technical assistance services have enhanced the 350 strategies that our 50 state chapters use to support the belief that every child has the right to a great childhood. Without your commitment to this mission, we could not do this.

This very difficult decision has allowed me to reflect not only how important this mission is but how great our supporters are. You have helped prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation's children and for that, I thank you. Your kind, encouraging notes gave me the inspiration to do my job better and for that, I am grateful. You have shown what is possible when people care and that has inspired me.

You have made me believe that prevention is really possible; you have made me believe that people want to make child abuse and neglect not only preventable, but unthinkable; you have made me believe that we all play an important role in each child's life who comes in contact with us.

Thank you for helping me believe that I could do my job; I have not felt alone, because I knew you were there. Please never underestimate the influence your support means to individuals like me.

But there is so much more to be done! Please continue to help our mission achieve the next round of successes to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, child abuse and neglect by making a gift today.

Sincerely,

James M. Hmurovich

President & CEO

P.S. By giving a gift today, you will help ensure that all children have the great childhoods they deserve because our children are our future.

Save the Date: 2016 National Conference for America's Children - October 17th - 20th at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza.

Prevent Child Abuse America President & CEO James M. Hmurovich to retire.

Prevent Child Abuse America is formally announcing the retirement of President & CEO James M. Hmurovich. For 10 years, staff and he have worked to deliver on evidence-based strategies to promote healthy child development, supportive services for parents, and the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect. Hmurovich’s last day has not been identified and will be aligned with the appointment of and transition to a successor, likely in the first quarter of 2016. A national search for his successor is underway, led by the National Board of Directors with the help of Phillips Oppenheim. “Jim began his role as President & CEO at a time of significant change and transformation in the organization’s history,” said Fred Riley, Board Chair, Prevent Child Abuse America. “He brought a sense of urgency to achieving financial stability and revenue enhancement, while never compromising the organization’s focus on children and families. We are stronger and looking at an even brighter future thanks to Jim’s efforts and leadership.” During his time at Prevent Child Abuse America, Jim was a member of a national office team that expanded the organization’s home visitation program, Healthy Families America, from 360 sites to over 600, increased the state chapter network from 41 to 50, introduced the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign as a reminder that child abuse and neglect prevention is everyone’s responsibility, oversaw the creation of technical assistance services to the networks on bullying prevention and child sexual abuse prevention, and the development of a national movement, Connect the Dots, for children and families. You can read the full release on Hmurovich's retirement here.

Join us for the inaugural Party for Prevention at the LA Zoo benefiting Prevent Child Abuse America and Prevent Child Abuse California!

Join us on Saturday, August 29th for the inaugural Party for Prevention at the LA Zoo benefiting Prevent Child Abuse America and Prevent Child Abuse California. Enjoy lunch, engaging activities for parents and kids, and up-close interactions with some of the zoo's most popular animals. Proceeds will help ensure great childhoods for all children, locally and nationally, because our children are our future. Learn more here.

Filling the Middle Ground between Parents and CPS.

In response to the recent story about "free-range" parenting, we posted a brief statement titled "Filling the Middle Ground between Parents and CPS." We hope you will take a look and let us know if you have any questions. We have also pasted an excerpt below. 

"As adults we all have a responsibility to the future of our nation.  The old saying “our children are our future” provides each of us with an opportunity to both serve our nation and to serve the well-being of our nation’s children.  Ensuring their healthy development is something that should be the norm, not the exception.

The recent story about two Maryland children who were walking home, unsupervised has created a firestorm of controversy and opinion. The incident pits the roles, responsibilities and decisions of parents against those of the agencies that, by law, are required to investigate even the suspicion of child maltreatment. To us, what this story shows is that striking the balance between those two things can be difficult, but that ultimately the responsibility must rest somewhere. And we believe that it rests with each of us."

There's Just One Week Left!

We're just one week away from 2015!

The new year brings new opportunities for the healthy development of children and families, and we can start the new year off right by investing in the programs for children and families that build connections with their neighbors and communities.

Of every dollar donated, eighty-nine cents goes directly to programs of Prevent Child Abuse America to continue engaging children, families and communities. 

Thank you for being a part of the movement to promote the great childhoods all children deserve. Please consider making a donation, increasing your annual gift or committing to a monthly gift.

As SuEllen Fried, a lifetime board member, has said of Prevent Child Abuse America, "It's a movement. A force. It's not just an organization." 

There's just two weeks left in 2014!

"If this organization can reach every single new family, can you just imagine what this world would be like?"

- SuEllen Fried, Lifetime Board Member

All children deserve great childhoods because our children are our future.

Your gift today can move this mission forward. 

We can do this by ensuring families have access to the services they need and the programs that help children develop and grow. When children have access to early education, medical care and other necessities without any barriers, and when communities come together to support their neighbors and build connections, we can make this better future possible.

By giving a gift, increasing your annual gift or committing to a monthly gift, you are creating the change that makes great childhoods possible for all children.

We are happy to share Prevent Child Abuse America's new brand video with you.

Please share and re-post. Thanks!

Journey to Jacksonville: Experience The National Conference for America's Children!

Join us in Jacksonville from May 18 - 21 for The National Conference for America's Children! Take in lectures from world-renowned experts such as Dr. Bruce Perry and Robin Karr-Morse, participate in trainings and workshops on timely topics spanning brain architecture, home visitation, Adverse Childhood Experiences, organizational development and many more, and network with like-minded professionals equally committed to healthy starts for our nation's children!

You won't want to miss this, and we don't want you to either! That's why we're announcing several cost-saving options today to help you make the journey to Jacksonville a little easier:  

•  If you're willing to volunteer by monitoring workshops, we'll offer a $50 reduction in registration to the first 20 applicants! This is a great way to learn from our great workshops while saving a little bit on the bottom line.
    
•  The Early Bird gets the lunch! Register now to not only take advantage of our Early Bird registration rate (register before April 1!), but also to be entered into a contest to attend a private lunch with Dr. Bruce Perry! Save some money and give yourself a chance to chat with one of the most accomplished researchers in the world of infant mental health.

Click here to see the schedule of workshops and the experts who will be leading them. Register today to reserve your spot at The 2014 National Conference for America's Children, presented by Prevent Child Abuse America and Healthy Families America.

Looking Back, Looking Forward.

Prevent Child Abuse America has a new e-newsletter out where we talk Healthy Families America, the 2014 National Conference for America's Children, and our new Director of Bullying Prevention and Vice President for Programs and Research hires at Prevent Child Abuse America, among other things. You can take a look here, so please do, and then please let us know what you think, and if there is anything you would like us to cover in future editions. Thanks and have a great week.

A Healthy Future For All.

In response to the new budget deal that recently passed Congress and has $100 million earmarked specifically towards expanding the use of innovative tools and effective practices to increase access to mental health services, Prevent Child Abuse America released a Statement today - here - titled "A Healthy Future For All." We hope you will take a look and let us know if you have any questions. We have also pasted an excerpt below.

"According to the National Institute for Mental Health, there are approximately 57 million people in America today who are suffering with mental health issues that impact their ability to be successful in school or on the job. These struggles aren’t just felt by the person experiencing it though; mental health issues affect family life greatly and can also affect the way that people interact with their children. This in turn can undermine the learning process and healthy child development in enormous ways.

In this way, we see how mental health issues affect not only the person suffering from them, but their family and community as well. And in this way, we see how this budget deal and the commitment to improving access to mental health treatment will make a difference in the lives of countless people nationwide."

Just One More Day!

There's only one more day until 2013 is over!

That's one more day for you to make an impact on children and families!

Your support for learning, sharing and raising awareness has grown the conversation about healthy child development in communities nationwide!

By giving a gift today, you will be making sure that healthy development continues.

As this year comes to a close, please consider making a tax deductible contribution today!

Prevent Child Abuse America in the news.

We want to share a recent article in the AP with you titled "New Data: Child Abuse Down Slightly, Fatalities Up," where Prevent Child Abuse America President & CEO James M. Hmurovich was quoted talking about making a difference in the lives of children. You can read the full article here and the quote below. We hope you will take a look. We also hope you will share your thoughts with us about the article and what you think about the data being discussed. Thanks.

"Jim Hmurovich, president of Prevent Child Abuse America, said he also was pleased by the steady decrease in maltreatment reports, but expressed some regret that the department did not provide more insight on what factors might be driving that trend.

"It's hard to evaluate whether we're making a difference, or how we're making a difference," he said."

There's just one week left of 2013!

Your support of this mission is incredible! Learning, sharing and raising awareness are very important roles you can play to ensure the healthy development of children and families.

By giving a gift today, you are doing just that! You will be ensuring that children and families continue to have access to programs like Healthy Families America that support their needs!

Programs, like Healthy Families America, create nurturing, lifelong parent-child relationships, and when you support them, children thrive, and we CAN prevent child abuse and neglect!

Thank you for all you do and Happy Holidays!

You're not going to want to miss this!

The 2014 National Conference for America's Children, presented by Prevent Child Abuse America and Healthy Families America, is sure to be educational, energizing and exciting!

The conference will be at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront - May 18-21, 2014.

Join us for a great experience for anyone who works with children, families and non-profits. Plenary speakers include:

• Dr. Bruce Perry, whose work with infant mental health speaks to the need for urgency in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
• Robin Karr-Morse, a family therapist and author who uses the latest research in  psychology, biology, neurology and genetics to take readers inside the reality of early development.
• Emily Ballance, a Licensed Professional Counselor and nationally recognized speaker who brings a unique and humorous perspective on the challenges of work and life. 

Register before the end of the year for the Early Bird discount!

What do communities, families, and children have in common? You.

With your support, communities can come together.

Because of you, children can have a chance for healthy, happy childhoods.

With your gift, families will thrive.

Child abuse and neglect can happen anywhere. The good news is that it can be prevented! We can lend a hand to a parent with children on the bus. We can say hello to others in the park. And we can educate each other on how preventing child abuse and neglect can make a difference in our communities.

The Healthy Families America program does just that - help, support and educate! 

This program has reached 95,000 families who are learning to build trust by responding to their child's needs and provide stable, stimulating environments for their children to explore. They are also learning just how important they are to their children which will allow them to create lifelong nurturing relationships.

Without you, these families cannot have these opportunities.

Giving a gift today will allow children to benefit from healthy child development. Your gift will ensure new parents have the opportunity to be the best parent they can be! 

Sincerely,

James M. Hmurovich
President & CEO

P.S. By giving a gift today, you will be playing your role in preventing child abuse and neglect!

*Photo courtesy of New Hampshire Children's Trust.

There's someone you should meet!

You are an invaluable part of this organization! With your support, amazing things can happen for children and families throughout the United States.

We would like you to meet Sarah*:

"I found out I was pregnant at age 18, when I had just started college. I thought I had a very different life ahead of me, making new friends and enjoying college, not being a mother. After being referred to Teen Parent Connection I signed up for the Healthy Families America Home Visitation Program. Once my son was born I realized how much this program really helped me... read more"

Hope. Opportunity. Independence. All of this is possible because of YOU!

By making a gift today - here - many mothers like Sarah will be able to learn and develop during difficult times. 

“The Race of Life.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO, IL, February 15, 2013 – In Tuesday’s State of the Union Speech, President Obama called for an expansion of early learning opportunities, saying, “Let’s do our part to make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind.”

To further this goal, the White House announced yesterday that they would like to see an expansion of home visiting programming to levels even beyond the groundbreaking investments included in the Affordable Care Act.

It is clear that President Obama and his administration understand that “the race of life” begins at birth. However, the continued and expanded existence of home visiting programming now rests in the hands of Congress.

In 2014, the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, along with the Affordable Care Act, where its funding stream lies, is scheduled to go through a Congressional review process termed “reauthorization.”

For those of us who share the President’s belief that all children should be given an equal opportunity to compete in the “the race of life,” this process will provide us with the chance to impress upon our respective members of Congress the exponential benefits this programming provides.

And what are these benefits?

Healthy brain development. Enhanced success in school and the workplace. Reductions in health care, mental health, and criminal justice costs. And so many more.

In short, home visiting programming not only impacts the “race of life,” but the nation’s long term prosperity as well.

“Today, I ask you to join us in taking a moment to applaud the President and his administration for underscoring the critical nature of these programs,” said James M. Hmurovich, President & CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America, “and then as the hard work begins, I ask you to join us in
educating your friends, family, neighbors, and members of congress, on their importance. As the President said, ‘let’s do our part.’ All of us, for children, for their families, and for the nation”

###

ABOUT PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA
Prevent Child Abuse America, founded in 1972 in Chicago, works to ensure the healthy development of children nationwide. The organization promotes that vision through a network of chapters in 50 states and 530 Healthy Families America home visitation sites in 39 states, the Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada. A major organizational focus is to advocate for the existence of a national policy framework and strategy for children and families while promoting evidence-based practices that prevent abuse and neglect from ever occurring. To learn more about what we’re doing to prevent child abuse and neglect and how you can help, please visit our websites here and here.