AUSTIN, Texas – State officials on Monday released the first-ever strategic plan on child abuse prevention and early intervention.
The five-year plan, developed by the Prevention and Early Intervention Division of the Department of Family and Protective Services, shifts from primarily investigation-based efforts aimed at protecting children to a public health approach.
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The PEI approach considers child abuse and neglect a community problem that only a community can prevent. Research and demographic data will identify neighborhoods, cities and counties where child abuse is more likely to occur. PEI also identifies the most vulnerable children and shares that information with Child Protective Services.
The goal of the new effort is to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect in Texas, particularly the number of serious injuries and fatalities.
"I'm proud of the 84th Texas Legislature's efforts to support and expand programs that prevent child abuse and neglect," said Sen. Charles Schwertner, chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. "One of our primary duties as lawmakers is to protect the most vulnerable children in our state, and this plan will guide the state's efforts to better protect them and preserve families."
Rep. Richard Peña Raymond, chairman of the House Human Services Committee, also expressed his support for the plan.
"Through the years, we have seen that prevention and early intervention efforts can be highly effective -- both in terms of helping people and saving funds and other resources," he said. "I commend PEI and all the folks at DFPS for putting forth this great plan. I believe it will have a great and positive impact."
The plan also emphasizes the $454 billion child abuse costs to the state.
One example of how smart child abuse prevention funding can actually save long-term dollars is the home-visiting program, a key PEI program in which health care and child development professionals visit mothers of infants at home. One study found that for every public dollar spent for home visiting during a child's first six months, $3 is saved because there are fewer emergency room visits.
Following is a list of PEI programs already implemented:
Services to At-Risk Youth (STAR) provides family crisis intervention counseling, short-term emergency respite care and counseling.
Community Youth Development (CYD) is built to prevent juvenile delinquency and includes mentoring, youth employment programs and recreational activities.
Statewide Youth Services Network (SYSN) provides community and juvenile delinquency prevention programs.
Texas Families Together and Safe (TFTS) is designed to alleviate stress and promote parental skills that give families a better chance to become self-sufficient and successfully nurture their children.
Community Based Family Services (CBFS) serves families who have been investigated by CPS but whose allegations are low priority or unsubstantiated.
Healthy Outcomes Through Prevention and Early Support (HOPES) provides parent education, home-visiting, and other support services for families with children 5 and younger who may be at risk for abuse and neglect.
View the PDF file below for more information about the plan.
PEI Five Year Strategic Plan by David Ibanez on Scribd