YOU ARE INVITED!

CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING:

“MOVING UPSTREAM: What works to strengthen families and prevent child abuse & neglect.“

Thursday, November 14, 2019
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Senate Russell Office Building Room SR-485

RSVP: Jim McKay, Jim.McKay@ctfalliance.org, 304-617-0099.

There is a growing understanding that we need a public health approach to help families thrive rather than our current system which focuses on how to respond after child abuse or neglect has occurred. This briefing will help lawmakers and their staff learn more about successful efforts that help strengthen families and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. 

Passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) in 2018 was a promising step towards transforming our child welfare system. Reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) will continue this progress, but action is needed now to reauthorize and fund this vital legislation to meet the current needs of our families and communities. Our children cannot afford to wait.

The House of Representatives passed their version of CAPTA Reauthorization (Stronger CAPTA) on May 20, 2019 with broad bipartisan support. The House bill includes provisions that would strengthen Title I and Title II of CAPTA including bolstering the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) grants program to better meet the needs of children, families and communities and enhancing efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Nationally, Children’s Trust Funds (CTFs) are helping lead many of these efforts in their states and supporting communities to develop and implement effective community-based child abuse and neglect prevention strategies. CTFs serve as CBCAP lead agencies in most states. Additionally, these efforts are accomplished most effectively when informed by the lived experience of parents in conjunction with the best quality research about what works.

The “Moving Upstream” Congressional Briefing will feature each of these perspectives through a panel discussion with additional time for questions and dialogue with those in attendance including state CTF Directors from across the country.

Panelists:

  • Sallye R. Longshore, MS, Ed.S, Director Alabama Children’s Trust Fund, Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention (State CBCAP Lead)
  • Natalie Towns, MSW, Section Director, Georgia Children’s Trust Fund / Prevention and Community Support, Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (State CBCAP Lead)
  • LaCrisha Rose, Parent Leader, Co-Chair Alliance National Parent Partnership Council, Facilitator of West Virginia Circle of Parents Network
  • Melissa Merrick, PhD., President and CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America
  • Teresa Rafael, MSW, Executive Director, National Alliance of Children’s Trust & Prevention Funds (moderator)

Light refreshments will be served beginning at 10:15 a.m.

RSVP: Jim McKay, Jim.McKay@ctfalliance.org, 304-617-0099.

About the Alliance:

The National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds is the national membership organization for state Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds; a hub for all elements in the prevention field; a thought leader in the movement to strengthen and promote the well-being of children, families and communities; and a strong partner with parents. In 2019, the Alliance is celebrating its 30th anniversary. To learn more about the Alliance, visit https://ctfalliance.org.