Prevention

As a recognized leader in professional education, training, advocacy, research and evaluation, the prevention of child abuse and neglect has historically been at the core of the work of American Humane. American Humane's Children's Division has specialized its work within child protection, while continuing to place importance on preventing child abuse and neglect through the development and implementation of primary prevention programs such as The Front Porch Project®. To bring about the return of neighborly problem-solving and community compassion and caring for children, The Front Porch Project is a primary prevention training program that equips community members with the knowledge, tools and action steps to intervene appropriately, when necessary, to help protect children and assist a parent or family.

In addition to the primary prevention efforts of The Front Porch Project, American Humane uses a comprehensive approach to all of its child welfare programs and initiatives that places preventing child abuse and neglect at the center and addresses the special vulnerabilities of families that come to the attention of child protection agencies. American Humane's prevention programs focus on building and supporting the capacity and ability of community stakeholders -- including parents, youths, schools, businesses, community- and faith-based organizations, and public child welfare agencies -- to respond effectively to the needs of vulnerable children and families.