Child abuse and neglect remain serious challenges that negatively affect children, families, and communities across the United States. As families navigate economic uncertainty and emerging concerns about children's safety online and offline, states are increasingly seeking effective ways to support child and family well-being within limited budgets. Evidence increasingly indicates that preventing maltreatment before it occurs can improve long-term outcomes for children and families while reducing downstream costs associated with child welfare, health care, or other system involvement.  

As state policymakers contend with budget constraints and seek to maximize the impact of public investments, there is growing bipartisan interest in cost-effective, upstream prevention strategies that address the root causes of child abuse and neglect. Family-level risk factors – such as economic stress, poverty, housing instability, unaddressed mental health needs, and substance use disorders – may be mitigated through evidence-based interventions and strategic use of existing funding opportunities, including Title IV-E funding available through the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). 

In this panel discussion, researchers will highlight how states can leverage existing funding streams and cost-effective interventions to prevent child maltreatment and related harms, including online exploitation. Panelists will also discuss opportunities to strengthen cross-agency collaboration, improve data infrastructure, and support effective program implementation to enhance child and family well-being.  

Panelists: 

• Deb Robison, MA, LSW; Director of Outreach & Engagement, Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at Miami University (Moderator) 

• Krista Thomas, PhD; Senior Policy Fellow, Chapin Hall 

• Morgan Cooley, PhD, LCSW; Associate Professor, Florida Atlantic University 

• Christian Connell, PhD; Professor, Penn State University and Director, Child Maltreatment Solutions Network  

• Glenn Sterner, PhD; Associate Professor, University of Kentucky