Community-based Participatory Research & Rural Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention in Colorado

Working with eight rural community-based Advisory Groups, the Center for Research Strategies (CRS) identified child abuse prevention options as part of the “Investigation: Rural Rates of Child Abuse and Neglect in Select Colorado Counties” study funded by the Colorado Children's Trust Fund. The eight participating rural counties with historically high rates of child abuse and neglect recruited local stakeholders and program representatives to engage in a collaborative, year-long process in 2009. The planning process involved four phases: Phase 1: Data Collection and Formation of County Advisory Groups (1-3 Months), Phase 2: Advisory Group Meetings for Data Review and Prevention Priorities (3-5 Months), Phase 3: Action Plan Development (3 Months), and Phase 4: Presentation of Action Plan (2 Months). During the third phase, the county-based Advisory Groups developed child abuse prevention action plans and identified potential resource development and funding opportunities. The culminating event was a state-wide Child Abuse and Prevention Summit attended by over 140 county representatives, funders and state resource personnel. County key stakeholders presented their action plans for further funding consideration, with two counties receiving planning funds to develop fatherhood programs. Other counties are seeking state prevention funds. The cumulative results of this planning process affirmed that child abuse is a multi-faceted problem that needs to be addressed through collaborative prevention partnerships at state and local levels. Prospective strategies for reducing child abuse rates included parenting education, substance abuse treatment, mental health interventions and domestic violence counseling.