ASTHO's past president Leah Devlin is working with the CDC in partnership with the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and CDC Foundation to identify exemplary practices in state-level prevention of child maltreatment. The three-year initiative is focused on the promotion of safe, stable, and nurturing relationships (SSNRs) for children; core materials will be disseminated at the conclusion of the project. ASTHO's Prevention and Access committees are considering a position statement pertaining to this work.

Says Devlin, "Sometimes our partners in the community that also work on protecting children don't recognize the critically important role that prevention and public health agencies play. The Public Health Leadership Initiative will advance child maltreatment prevention as a higher priority for public health and our partners through increased collaboration on behalf of all families."

Map of State Childhood Maltreatment Programs: Courtesy of the Children's Safety Network.

Child Welfare Information Gateway: Includes resources on supporting families, protective factors, public awareness, community activities, positive parenting, prevention programs, and more.

National Center for Children in Poverty: Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University: "Putting Research to Work for Children and Families"

The Future of Children: Preventing Child Maltreatment: A journal from Princeton-Brookings.

Leadership Initiative Data Sheets:

• Public Health Leadership Initiative
• Promoting Safe, Stable and Nurturing Relationships (CDC)
• Strategic Direction for Child Maltreatment Prevention (CDC)
• Facts – Preventing Child Maltreatment (CDC/STIPDA)

Strengthening Families and Communities: 2009 Resource Guide: Supports service providers in their work with parents, caregivers, and their children to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.

FRIENDS: National Resource Center for the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Program funded by the Administration for Children and Families.

Building Brighter Futures for Our Children: Understand the critical linkages among economic status, health and early care and education that affect a child's lifetime success. Presentations and videos courtesy of the National Governors Association.

Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act: As Amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 (HHS)

Federal Home Visiting Legislation: Courtesy of Prevent Child Abuse America.

State Based Home Visiting: From the National Center for Children in Poverty.