Prevent Child Abuse Vermont

Prevent Child Abuse Vermont' mission is to promote and support healthy relationships within families, schools and communities to eliminate child abuse. We have been doing this work since 1977.

At the heart of every thriving community are strong, supported families. For nearly five decades, Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT) has been passionately committed to fostering the well-being of the next generation. Current research on adverse childhood experiences shines a light on how trauma in childhood has lifelong health and mental consequences. Awareness is great, but even with this knowledge communities can be at a loss about how to address the issue. PCAVT supports families, schools, and communities by providing age appropriate and research-based programming. By starting early, parents, educators, school administrators, and students gain real tools which assure that one totally preventable trauma, child abuse, does not happen. At PCAVT, we believe that every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment. Through our programs and partnerships, we strive to build a community where all children are protected and supported, where families are empowered and where the cycle of abuse is broken. We do this work with our Family Support Programs, the Healthy Relationships Project (school-based and adult-focused), and Safe Environments for Infants focusing on shaken baby syndrome and infant safe sleep practices. Vermont has become a national leader in child abuse prevention and our work is effective because of support from individuals, corporations and through events like the WALK for Safe and Happy Childhoods.