Primary Prevention

Primary prevention approaches aim to avert child abuse or neglect before it occurs.

Examples of Primary Prevention

  • Public engagement and educational campaigns
  • Strengthening economic support to families
  • Provide quality care and education early in life
  • Enhance parenting skills to promote healthy development

Secondary Prevention

Secondary prevention approaches target high-risk families to prevent child maltreatment.

Examples of Secondary Prevention

Healthy Families 

Healthy Families Indiana (HFI) is a free voluntary evidence-based home visitation program that is designed to promote healthy families and healthy children through a variety of services including child development, access to health care, and parent education, this program is available in all 92 counties in Indiana.

To learn more visit Healthy Families Indiana

Community Partners for Child Safety 

Community Partners for Child Safety provide free voluntary home-based case management services to connect families to resources to strengthen the family and prevent child abuse and neglect.

To learn more visit Community Partners for Child Safety

Tertiary Prevention

Tertiary prevention services are provided to families in which child maltreatment has already occurred with the goal of preventing recurrence and to avoid family separation or support reunification.

Examples of Tertiary Prevention

DCS Services and Initiatives

The Indiana Department of Child Services contracts with numerous service providers throughout Indiana to deliver the services described preservation, placement and permanency. Service providers who enter into contracts with DCS all commit to providing quality service based on established standards and agree to provide data relating to identified outcome measures. This DCS-Provider partnership enables all children and families to receive services necessary to alleviate identified needs.

To learn more about DCS Providers, Partners and Programs visit DCS Providers & Partners.