Evaluating the Effects of Ecosystems of State Economic Support Policies on Preventing Multiple Forms
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
Family violence including child maltreatment (CM) and intimate partner violence (IPV) affect millions of children and families each year in the United States. A multi-sector, public health approach is crucial for the primary prevention of violence, including strategies (e.g., policies) addressing the conditions in which people live. Economic instability within households can increase family stress, which in turn is a risk factor for the perpetration of CM and IPV. Economic support (ES) polices including child care subsidies, paid family leave, tax credits for families, housing supports, Medicaid expansion, and other related policies may improve financial instability and reduce family violence. We discuss a Cooperative Agreement between Prevent Child Abuse America and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to evaluate the combined effects of multiple ES policies on the prevention of CM and IPV. This research includes conducting a systematic review of the literature, preforming a data driven policy landscape analysis across time, and finally proposes to conduct innovative, quasi-experimental policy evaluation work combining cluster analysis, structural equation modeling, and econometric methodologies. This aligns with the strategic prevention priority of 'transforming the narrative' because the focus is placed on addressing the underlying conditions that can lead to family violence, rather than a focus on 'bad parenting'.