Prevent Child Abuse Iowa recognizes the important role legislation plays in the future of Iowa’s children. We support policies that promote child and family well-being.  

Goal: Ensure access to family supports that have been shown to reduce child maltreatment.  

Child maltreatment is a community problem, with community solutions. Families who experience financial hardships and stress such as job loss, hunger, unstable housing, and lack of childcare or medical care are much more likely to become involved with the child welfare system.  

Children in families with adequate concrete supports are less likely to experience abuse or neglect. These supports include home visiting, quality child care, housing and food access, Medicaid coverage, and tax relief such as Child Tax Credits for low- and middle-income families.  

Goal: Invest in child abuse and neglect prevention. 

It’s estimated that every case of child abuse in 2023 will come with a lifetime cost of $1,043,708 to the victim and society. Investments in child abuse and neglect prevention support a healthy and resilient Iowa. Every dollar spent on prevention leads to significant short- and long-term cost savings by reducing child welfare involvement and the social costs of child abuse.  

Preventing child maltreatment supports healthy lifetimes. We can build better childhoods through programs and services that connect communities, empower parents, and help children thrive.