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OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores spoke on the Federal Government's perspective on preventing child abuse and neglect at a symposium called "Time for Reform: Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect," sponsored by Kids Are Waiting (KAW, a project of The Pew Charitable Trusts) and Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA). The symposium was held January 29, 2008, in Washington, DC.

The event began with the release of two reports. The first addresses the estimated economic impact of child abuse and neglect in America. The economic costs associated with child abuse and neglect rose to a staggering $103.8 billion in 2007. (Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States, published by PCAA.) The second report revealed that currently only 10 percent of Federal money dedicated for child welfare (approximately $741.9 million) can be used to strengthen families and prevent child abuse from occurring. (Time for Reform: Investing in Prevention: Keeping Children Safe At Home, published by KAW.)

In his remarks, Administrator Flores observed:

OJJDP and the President, like Prevent Child Abuse America and the Pew Charitable Trusts, recognize that the only way to address a problem of this magnitude and with these compelling financial and human costs is through an approach that builds stronger parents and stronger families who are prepared to weather the inevitable stresses and hardships of raising children in this world. ...

...I am pleased that there is a motivated group of professionals and academicians who see primary prevention as the key for keeping children out of the protective and delinquency systems.

When we do not think in a holistic way about how to help children and their families develop protective factors that insulate them from the risk of maltreatment and delinquent behavior, we find ourselves stepping in with too little, too late.

He congratulated the symposium participants "for the foresight and energy it takes to 'go back to the beginning' as you are doing to frame the problem of child maltreatment as one of prevention."

The PCAA report, Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States, can be read online by going to the PCAA Web page on Research on Child Abuse and Neglect (free registration required). The KAW report, Time for Reform: Investing in Prevention: Keeping Children Safe At Home, is available on the KAW Web site's Report page, along with other reports in the Time for Reform series.