Protecting Children

The Children's Division of American Humane is a national leader in developing programs, policies, training, research and evaluation, and cutting-edge initiatives to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect. At the same time, we work to strengthen families and communities and enhance child protection systems at the state and county levels.

Preventing child abuse and neglect can be achieved only with the active participation of communities -- and the people and organizations within those communities. American Humane's prevention programs help people learn how to recognize and report child abuse and neglect -- by acknowledging their own responsibility and realizing that they have the power to change a child's life.

American Humane also enhances the ability of local organizations and public agencies to respond effectively to the needs of vulnerable children and families. We provide training for the workforce that addresses issues of child abuse and neglect every day. And we work with child protection professionals and agencies to improve their systems, so that greater emphasis is placed on processes and results that focus on the best interests of children and their families.

American Humane's extensive research efforts help child protection agencies and professionals achieve better outcomes for children. This includes examining the decision-making processes used by agencies, as well as the outcomes of their cases. Through decades of consultation with state and county public child protection systems, we have developed unmatched knowledge and expertise that helps those systems present compelling evidence to their decision makers -- and which results in their making the right choices for children and families.

What's New in Protecting Children

Call for Abstracts

In the fall of 2010, American Humane will publish a volume of Protecting Children dedicated to safety and risk assessments and decision making. American Humane’s Protecting Children is a quarterly journal and employs a blind-review process. Download and review the call for abstracts.

Shining Light on Chronic Neglect: Core Issues Facing our Most Vulnerable Families

Protecting Children, Vol. 24, No. 1

The chronic neglect of children is one of the most persistent and intractable challenges facing the nation’s child protection system. “Chronic child neglect” generally refers to the ongoing, serious pattern of deprivation of a child’s basic physical, developmental and/or emotional needs by a parent or caregiver. It can result in immediate harm or serious risk of harm to the child’s safety, health and well-being. In November 2007, American Humane launched a national initiative on chronic neglect. The initiative addresses the unique safety and protection needs of children who are chronically neglected by their families. This issue of Protecting Children is a major product associated with that initiative.

Order your copy of Protecting Children today!

Child Protection Conferences & Events

Save the Date and Call for Presentations for the 4th Annual Differential Response Conference

The Call for Presentations for American Humane’s 2009 Conference on Differential Response is now available. The conference will be held Nov. 12-13 at the Omni Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Learn more...