Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Georgia is a state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and is housed within the School of Public Health at Georgia State University’s Mark Chaffin Center for Healthy Development (since January 2012). PCA Georgia provides statewide direction to build safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments to prevent child abuse and neglect and has over 20 local councils located throughout the state who advocate and implement prevention practices in their communities. PCA Georgia is applying an intentional equity and racial justice lens to our work. A child’s race, ethnicity, gender, family income, or neighborhood should not predict their future success and well-being. The organization is led by Executive Director Julia Neighbors, J.D.
Vision
All children and families thrive in safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments.
Mission
To prevent the abuse and neglect of Georgia’s children through education, advocacy and the promotion of evidence-based prevention strategies.
Core Work
1-800-CHILDREN Helpline & Online Resource Map
The 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) Helpline is a statewide information and referral number for anyone concerned about the healthy development of a child. It provides information that support families, caregivers and professionals through community resources. It is Bilingual and open Monday to Friday 8 am– 6 pm or 24/7 through the online resource map.
Public Awareness
We work to increase public awareness on child abuse and neglect prevention through training, education, events and media campaigns. We also share and distribute research to guide policy and programs to enhance the health and well-being of Georgia’s children and families. PCA Georgia is also working with state and local partners to develop regional prevention plans based on the 2020 release of Georgia’s Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Plan, A Vision for Child and Family Well-Being.
Prevention Programs
We encourage the development and implementation of innovative prevention programs using research-based models. We also host webinars and an annual conference for child and family serving professionals to infuse prevention practices in their work and provide in-person training on strengthening communities, adverse childhood experiences and mandated reporting.
Prevention Network 
We support a statewide network of individuals, agencies and communities dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect in all forms. There are over 25 local Prevent Child Abuse Councils throughout the state that serve as prevention agencies in their area.
Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Georgia updated their three year strategic plan that began January 1, 2019, using feedback from the Advisory Board, local councils, and partnering organizations. While the first 6 years of our work focused on strengthening our infrastructure and relaunching the 1-800-CHILDREN Helpline, in the next three years we will focus on strengthening our local councils, so that we have a stronger statewide prevention network.
Staff
Julia Neighbors, J.D.
Executive Director
Naeshia McDowell, MPH
Expert Emerita
Reach us at PreventChildAbuseGA@gsu.edu.
Physical Location
The Andrew Young School of Policy
14 Marietta Street NW, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30303
Mailing Address
PO Box 3995
Atlanta, GA 30302
Need Help Finding Us?
GSU Campus Map
Parking
PCA Georgia Structure:
“This project was supported in part by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Community Based Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CFDA 93.590). Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Community Based Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CFDA 93.590).”
Contact Us
Address
| Physical: | 14 Marietta NW, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30303 |
| Mailing: | P.O. Box 3995 Atlanta, GA 30302 |