Child protection teams in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, have developed an innovative model that encourages a community-based response to child abuse. Child protection teams usually follow the case consultation model, which is a group of professionals dealing with specific cases of child abuse. In Newfoundland and Labrador, child protection teams evolved away from this type of approach. Communities in the province face unique social and economic conditions and, as a result, child protection teams now focus mainly on prevention through public education and awareness, advocacy, and professional development. Many of the child protection teams have developed a two-tiered model. The first tier of the team includes community representatives who participate in the activities listed above. The second tier is involved with case conferences and is composed only of professionals dealing directly with the cases of child abuse. References