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Ensure Children Have Safe and Healthy Homes
Target: U.S. CongressSponsored by: American Humane Association
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) was passed in 1974 because of increasing public awareness of the need to ensure the safety and welfare of children. CAPTA provides federal money to state and local communities like yours for programs and services to prevent abuse, protect children and strengthen families.
Each year, almost 1 million American children experience abuse and neglect. Of these children, 60 percent suffer neglect, 19 percent physical abuse, 10 percent sexual abuse, and 7 percent emotional maltreatment. All of these forms of abuse can have a lifelong psychological and physical impact on a child. And shockingly, approximately 1400 children are killed each year from abuse, most of whom are under the age of one.
Every five years, CAPTA gets reauthorized. This year it is up for review again. President Bush has already cut many important human service programs in this year's budget (including domestic violence and juvenile justice funds). We need your help to ensure these cuts do not affect the safety of children.
Please ask Congress to not only maintain current funding levels, but to increase funding to keep up with today's economy, so that all children can live in safe and healthy homes.
Each year, almost 1 million American children experience abuse and neglect. Of these children, 60 percent suffer neglect, 19 percent physical abuse, 10 percent sexual abuse, and 7 percent emotional maltreatment. All of these forms of abuse can have a lifelong psychological and physical impact on a child. And shockingly, approximately 1400 children are killed each year from abuse, most of whom are under the age of one.
Every five years, CAPTA gets reauthorized. This year it is up for review again. President Bush has already cut many important human service programs in this year's budget (including domestic violence and juvenile justice funds). We need your help to ensure these cuts do not affect the safety of children.
Please ask Congress to not only maintain current funding levels, but to increase funding to keep up with today's economy, so that all children can live in safe and healthy homes.
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We signed the “Ensure Children Have Safe and Healthy Homes” petition!
# 20,950:
10:38 am PDT, Jul 1,
Name not displayed, Missouri
# 20,949:
8:36 am PDT, Jul 1,
Natasha Williams, Iowa
# 20,948:
7:31 am PDT, Jul 1,
Krista Lohr, Florida
# 20,947:
4:30 am PDT, Jul 1,
Gretchen Bailey, New York
I was an abused child. I don't want more children to have to go through what I went through. I want children to be protected. I want children to be safe. No more children should suffer like I did.
I was an abused child. I don't want more children to have to go through what I went through. I want children to be protected. I want children to be safe. No more children should suffer like I did.
# 20,946:
12:12 am PDT, Jul 1,
BRANDI IDDINS, Georgia
# 20,945:
6:36 pm PDT, Jun 30,
Jessica Sawyer, Louisiana
# 20,944:
5:57 pm PDT, Jun 30,
Marian Broomall, Florida
i was a foster child too and my family saw alot of vilonce in are home yes please fund child abuse pevention and treatment act
i was a foster child too and my family saw alot of vilonce in are home yes please fund child abuse pevention and treatment act
# 20,943:
10:17 am PDT, Jun 30,
Christine Benson, New York
# 20,942:
8:23 am PDT, Jun 30,
Shannon Hillary, California
# 20,941:
8:09 am PDT, Jun 30,
Nick Coulson, Ohio
# 20,940:
5:40 am PDT, Jun 30,
Linda Alioto, California
# 20,939:
5:37 am PDT, Jun 30,
Niurka Rosario, Florida
Dear [member of Congress], I am writing to you today to ask for your support for increasing the budget for state grants, community-based prevention grants, and research grants supported by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). Our nation's child welfare system is stretched beyond capacity to handle the full scope of the problem. Appropriate services for families and children who have been victimized by abuse or neglect are lacking, and insufficient funding has been allocated for the prevention of child maltreatment. And now, I fear that this situation may only get worse. President Bush has already cut many important human service programs in this year's budget (including domestic violence and juvenile justice funds), and I strongly oppose cutting into budgets for child abuse services. Our child protection system demands adequate investment. Continuing to do otherwise is far too costly. A 2003 study calculated the total costs of child abuse to exceed $87 billion annually -- $258 million dollars a day -- a figure that includes the immediate direct costs (such as law enforcement, medical treatment, child welfare services and foster care) and long-term indirect costs (including juvenile delinquency and crime, special education, and lost productivity). Yet, according to the Urban Institute, out of more than $20 billion spent each year on child welfare in federal, state and local funds, states typically spend just between 10 and 15 percent on prevention and the protection of children. We have a spending gap in this country in services to prevent child abuse and to intervene on behalf of children known to the child protection system. It would be good business sense if we invested our resources in child protection and prevention services the way we should. Nobel Prize-winning economist Dr. James J. Heckman has concluded in his research that "early childhood interventions of high quality have lasting effects on learning and motivation." An additional analysis conducted by Federal Reserve Bank economists recognizes that "investment in early childhood development yields an extraordinary return, far exceeding the return on most investments, private or public ... that are currently funded as economic development." And at a recent Senate hearing, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke noted "a significant return towards investing in young kids." Preventing child abuse is cost effective. Putting dollars aside for prevention is sound investing, not luxury spending. We urge you to put together the resources to support preventive services and treatment services that can save us money in the long run. It is crucial that Congress makes the protection of children a priority. Therefore I urge you to support increased funding for CAPTA. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Niurka Rosario
Dear [member of Congress], I am writing to you today to ask for your support for increasing the budget for state grants, community-based prevention grants, and research grants supported by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). Our nation's child welfare system is stretched beyond capacity to handle the full scope of the problem. Appropriate services for families and children who have been victimized by abuse or neglect are lacking, and insufficient funding has been allocated for the prevention of child maltreatment. And now, I fear that this situation may only get worse. President Bush has already cut many important human service programs in this year's budget (including domestic violence and juvenile justice funds), and I strongly oppose cutting into budgets for child abuse services. Our child protection system demands adequate investment. Continuing to do otherwise is far too costly. A 2003 study calculated the total costs of child abuse to exceed $87 billion annually -- $258 million dollars a day -- a figure that includes the immediate direct costs (such as law enforcement, medical treatment, child welfare services and foster care) and long-term indirect costs (including juvenile delinquency and crime, special education, and lost productivity). Yet, according to the Urban Institute, out of more than $20 billion spent each year on child welfare in federal, state and local funds, states typically spend just between 10 and 15 percent on prevention and the protection of children. We have a spending gap in this country in services to prevent child abuse and to intervene on behalf of children known to the child protection system. It would be good business sense if we invested our resources in child protection and prevention services the way we should. Nobel Prize-winning economist Dr. James J. Heckman has concluded in his research that "early childhood interventions of high quality have lasting effects on learning and motivation." An additional analysis conducted by Federal Reserve Bank economists recognizes that "investment in early childhood development yields an extraordinary return, far exceeding the return on most investments, private or public ... that are currently funded as economic development." And at a recent Senate hearing, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke noted "a significant return towards investing in young kids." Preventing child abuse is cost effective. Putting dollars aside for prevention is sound investing, not luxury spending. We urge you to put together the resources to support preventive services and treatment services that can save us money in the long run. It is crucial that Congress makes the protection of children a priority. Therefore I urge you to support increased funding for CAPTA. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Niurka Rosario
# 20,938:
11:55 am PDT, Jun 29,
Octavia James, New York
# 20,937:
10:21 am PDT, Jun 29,
Sarah French, Connecticut
# 20,936:
2:50 am PDT, Jun 29,
Joelle Coudriou, France
# 20,935:
3:51 pm PDT, Jun 28,
Janet Morrissey, Maryland
# 20,934:
2:44 pm PDT, Jun 28,
Name not displayed, Ohio
# 20,933:
3:02 pm PDT, Jun 27,
Sandra Peck, California
# 20,932:
1:55 pm PDT, Jun 27,
Odette Rickert, Hawaii
# 20,931:
12:27 pm PDT, Jun 27,
Kathryn Magoon, California
# 20,930:
11:15 am PDT, Jun 27,
XOtzin Ome, Colorado
the fact that children are our future is just a fact. I realise that governments all over the world would prefer that the next generation be killers rapists and theives so they can all "get ahead" but umm did anyone ever ask these kids what they want ? I bet if they all knew what SAFETY truly is and what it provides they would opt for true safety instead of a this false sense of safety each and every governing body has provided people with which is based on fear..... Fear and God cannot dwell in the same house, where one enters the other has to leave.... think about it. You can only have One the other... not both. You cannot serve two masters... you do not make the master you SERVE it... you wanna serve fear??? If you truly don't then get rid of the fear, it's not outside of you it is IN you!
the fact that children are our future is just a fact. I realise that governments all over the world would prefer that the next generation be killers rapists and theives so they can all "get ahead" but umm did anyone ever ask these kids what they want ? I bet if they all knew what SAFETY truly is and what it provides they would opt for true safety instead of a this false sense of safety each and every governing body has provided people with which is based on fear..... Fear and God cannot dwell in the same house, where one enters the other has to leave.... think about it. You can only have One the other... not both. You cannot serve two masters... you do not make the master you SERVE it... you wanna serve fear??? If you truly don't then get rid of the fear, it's not outside of you it is IN you!
# 20,929:
5:10 pm PDT, Jun 26,
Name not displayed, New York
# 20,927:
10:57 am PDT, Jun 26,
Kristine Carlson, Florida
# 20,926:
10:40 am PDT, Jun 26,
MARIA ANDREWS, Alabama
# 20,925:
8:21 am PDT, Jun 26,
Sheila Pimentel, California
# 20,924:
7:27 am PDT, Jun 26,
Theoni Solano, Massachusetts
# 20,923:
9:23 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Ana Guzman, Washington D.C.
# 20,922:
6:54 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Zoila Danino, Florida
# 20,921:
6:36 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Elizabeth Johnson, Georgia
# 20,920:
5:35 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Donna Wildschut, Michigan
# 20,919:
1:58 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Christine Aurilia, New Jersey
# 20,918:
11:45 am PDT, Jun 25,
Wendy Solomon, California
what does it say about us as a people if we don't take of our children?
what does it say about us as a people if we don't take of our children?
# 20,917:
11:45 am PDT, Jun 25,
Donna Britt, Texas
Yes, we should protect these children because it is the right thing to do, but because if we do not they will need counceling some time down the road costing us more money. Much better to nip it in the bud now. Our children are our greatest resource and we need not destroy that! By saving our children we are saving the America of tomorrow! God Bless America and our Children!! If we do not stand up for our Children, who will?
Yes, we should protect these children because it is the right thing to do, but because if we do not they will need counceling some time down the road costing us more money. Much better to nip it in the bud now. Our children are our greatest resource and we need not destroy that! By saving our children we are saving the America of tomorrow! God Bless America and our Children!! If we do not stand up for our Children, who will?
# 20,916:
8:09 am PDT, Jun 25,
Jessica Van DYke, Iowa
# 20,915:
7:38 am PDT, Jun 25,
Skye Rarig, Pennsylvania
People shouldn't have kids if they're not ready for the responsibility (talking also about teenage parents - they're not ready). If you don't have the means to take care of a kid, don't have the kid.
People shouldn't have kids if they're not ready for the responsibility (talking also about teenage parents - they're not ready). If you don't have the means to take care of a kid, don't have the kid.
# 20,914:
6:33 am PDT, Jun 25,
Lisa Patton, Indiana
# 20,913:
5:08 am PDT, Jun 25,
Name not displayed, Illinois
# 20,912:
10:20 pm PDT, Jun 24,
Candisa Yap-Sam, Florida
Parents shouldn't have kids if they can't handle the responsibility. Alot of parents blame the kids for messing up the parents' lives and take it out on them verbally, physically, and emotionally and the children don't deserve that.
Parents shouldn't have kids if they can't handle the responsibility. Alot of parents blame the kids for messing up the parents' lives and take it out on them verbally, physically, and emotionally and the children don't deserve that.
# 20,911:
7:25 pm PDT, Jun 24,
Shannon Cowett, Virginia
# 20,910:
9:41 am PDT, Jun 24,
Name not displayed, Virginia
# 20,909:
10:23 pm PDT, Jun 23,
Delicia R Rucker, Michigan
# 20,908:
2:45 pm PDT, Jun 23,
Alexandra Lohman, Illinois
# 20,907:
12:01 pm PDT, Jun 23,
LOUVERTA BIAS, Louisiana
DEAR CONGRES I'M ASKING FOR SUPPORT INCREASING BUDGETS FOR STATE GRANTSAND RESEARCH GRANTS SUPPORTED BY THE CAPTA
DEAR CONGRES I'M ASKING FOR SUPPORT INCREASING BUDGETS FOR STATE GRANTSAND RESEARCH GRANTS SUPPORTED BY THE CAPTA
# 20,906:
8:02 am PDT, Jun 23,
Sandi Pearce, California
# 20,905:
7:36 am PDT, Jun 23,
Donna Walters, New Jersey
# 20,904:
5:38 pm PDT, Jun 22,
Sandy & Dave Abbs, Canada
childern are every ones future and they must be protected at any coast.
childern are every ones future and they must be protected at any coast.
# 20,903:
9:12 am PDT, Jun 22,
Lee Ann De Mars, Pennsylvania
# 20,902:
7:10 pm PDT, Jun 21,
Name not displayed, Georgia
# 20,901:
9:20 am PDT, Jun 21,
Siobhan Casey, Ireland