The Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse & Neglect Fatalities issued a final report and recommendations on March 17, 2016. The 168-page report, entitled “Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities,” presents 10 recommendations for actions to help organizations and communities implement a strategic response to protect children at high risk of fatality from abuse or neglect.
With the release of the report the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds offered the following statement expressing appreciation for the work completed:
“We applaud the important work of the Commission in identifying strategies, approaches and policies to support children and families so that every child in our nation can thrive,” commented Teresa Rafael, Executive Director of the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds. “We commend the Commission on their dedicated approach in reviewing what is working in communities across the country and carefully considering their recommendations and issuing their call to action in protecting our nation’s children. It is particularly noteworthy that during its review and deliberations, the Commission sought the advice of parent advocates and highlighted their testimony and recommendations. We are pleased that the Commission has recommended the need to transform our child welfare systems for the 21st century to incorporate a public health approach that works beyond traditional child protection systems to a broader cross systems approach. Supporting children and families and the work of eliminating child abuse and neglect fatalities will require collective action from community leaders, parents, public and private partners and policy makers. The Alliance is eager to work with lawmakers and others to support this important work of advancing our shared goal of eliminating child fatalities and helping every child in America have the great childhoods they deserve.”
