In wake of Caylee Anthony court case, let's refocus on ending child abuse

July 20, 2011

By Jennifer Storm and Cathleen Palm

In the wake of the Caylee Anthony court decision, there is frustration and outrage. But simply being outraged is not sufficient. It’s time we changed the story for our children. Preventing child abuse and protecting children is a shared community responsibility. Each of us has a part to play.

Changing the story for Pennsylvania’s children requires, in part, advocacy and action to realize public policies and investments that provide opportunities for every child to be healthy, to be safe and to live within stable homes among people prepared for, committed to and supported in the toughest job: parenting.

It also requires continued public-private partnerships to ensure that even during tough budget times investments continue in voluntary evidence-based home visiting services that improve maternal and child outcomes and strengthen the confidence and competence of parents.

We should prioritize prevention and evidence-based home visiting programs, such as Healthy Families, Nurse Family Partnership and Parents as Teachers, to reduce adverse childhood experiences and to realize significant return on the investment.

http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/07/communities_can_help_prevent_a.html