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The breakthrough strategy for dealing with child neglect and abuse shows great promise for several reasons, among them:
- It is doable. Most early childhood programs can rather easily add or enhance program components that build protective factors into their current curricula.
- It is affordable. Most public and private child care programs could add relevant components rather inexpensively. No additional government funding is being sought to implement the strategy; some state welfare officials are exploring whether their child abuse and neglect funds may be more effectively used by applying the new strategy.
- It has widespread support. Experts across the policy development continuum have been involved in the development of the new approach. Social science researchers, state welfare officials, and early childhood practitioners and policy experts have participated in developing the strategic framework led by the Center for the Study of Social Policy.
- The new frontline is willing to go to work. Early childhood educators from every regional and ethic group have said that they want to be more involved in working to reduce child neglect and abuse. A nationwide survey by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the professional association for early childhood practitioners, has shown that 97 percent of teachers and administrators want to do more to prevent maltreatment and want training so that they can.
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