Child abuse and neglect affects countless families across the country, regardless of geography, ethnicity, or income. National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time for communities nationwide to come together and take action to support strong families, thriving children, and healthier communities.
National Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month is an initiative led by Prevent Child Abuse America and its national network of chapters. This year's theme is "Powered By Hope, Strengthened By Prevention," recognizing that when families have the right support, they can build a brighter future for their children. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, we can work together to prevent child abuse before it ever happens.
Local Child Abuse Data
According to the PA Family Support Alliance, a total of 60 child fatalities and 82 near fatalities due to child abuse were substantiated statewide during 2024.
In Erie County, 111 reports were substantiated in 2024 with 2 child fatalities and 3 near fatalities.
What are child abuse and neglect?
Child abuse and neglect are serious public health problems and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). They can have long-term impacts on health, opportunity, and wellbeing. This issue includes all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role (such as a religious leader, a coach, a teacher) that results in harm, the potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child.
How We Can Help
Family Services of NW PA provides an array of services designed to ensure that children are safe and that families have the necessary support to care for their children.
We are proud to offer the following services to support children and families:
- Adoption Services provides child placement services that help both children and families, including adoption searches, child profiles, child preparation, home studies, and post-permanency services.
- Brief Services helps at-risk families cope with problems and improve childcare practices.
- Family Group Decision Making draws on the strengths of the family unit to develop a plan addressing concerns related to child safety, well-bring, and overall development.
- Family Preservation Services help strengthen the families of children at risk of placement by improving family functioning and preventing unnecessary placement of children.
- Family Reunification helps families that have had children removed from the home to achieve safe reunification.
- Family Team Meetings help engage families and find solutions for both immediate and long-term needs related to safety, well-being, and permanency.
- Foster Care Services help children who need temporary care find a stable, loving home.
- Independent Living Program helps youth ages 14-21 years old who are in out-of-home placement to make the transition to become independent, self-sufficient, and productive adults.
- Intensive Family provides crisis intervention and family treatment to keep children and families safe prevent out-of-home placement and assist in family reunification.
- Kinship Care Services help facilitate the placement of children in the custody of a County Children and Youth agency into the home of a relative or other significant adult.
To learn more about Child Welfare Programs offered at Family Services of NW PA, click the links above or call 814-866-4500.
Additional Resources:
- Child Abuse Facts and Prevention in Pennsylvania (PA Family Support Alliance)
- National Child Abuse Prevention Month Website (Child Welfare Information Gateway)
- Keep Kids Safe (Pennsylvania Department of Human Services)
- Child Abuse Prevention Month (National Society for the Positive Care of Children)
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Prevent Child Abuse America, Child Welfare Information Gateway, PA Family Support Alliance
