Child abuse and neglect remain pressing public health concerns, yet they are preventable through proactive, community-driven solutions. Universities—especially land-grant institutions—are uniquely positioned to generate insights for impact around child abuse prevention by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, community partnerships, and applied research that leads to systemic change. In this session, we present a framework for university-government-community (UGC) collaboration rooted in the Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA) Theory of Change. The framework prioritizes shifting mindsets from intervention to prevention, strengthening protective factors, and promoting environments where children and families thrive. The second part of the session will highlight lessons learned. Authors Rothwell and Kothari draw on decades of UGC collaborations with state child welfare and human services agencies and diverse communities. The UGC framework assumes that by integrating experiential learning and community-engaged research, universities can drive insights for impact, preparing students and professionals to proactively address the root causes of abuse, advance prevention-focused policies, and enhance protective factors. Internships, service-learning experiences, and cross-sector collaborations ensure that future leaders apply their knowledge to real-world practice. Faculty play a critical role in advancing research-to-practice models, partnering with communities to co-develop evidence-based strategies that inform policy, public discourse, and prevention initiatives. At the heart of this approach is the commitment to building a prevention-focused culture and reframing child well-being as a shared societal responsibility. Lessons learned will highlight (1) building relationships using insights from bridging and bonding social capital, (2) maintaining relationships through intentional planning, consideration of political priorities, and adjusting to uncertainty, and (3) knowledge translation using best practices centered on mutual benefits to all stakeholders. This session aims to provide new insights for impact, fostering a society where all children grow up in safe, stable, and nurturing environments, reinforcing PCAA’s vision of a nation free from child abuse and neglect.