2024 Annual Statewide Child Abuse Prevention Conference

In partnership with Families Forward Virginia, the Virginia Department of Social Services hosted the Annual Statewide Child Abuse Prevention Conference in Richmond, Virginia. The conference featured community partners across Virginia who are working to prevent the abuse and neglect of children. The conference featured keynote speaker, Dr. Viola Vaughan-Eden, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.J., professor and Ph.D. program director at Norfolk State University's Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work. Together, conference attenders explored the concept of creating a future where people feel empowered, connected, and optimistic about their collective and individual contributions towards ending child abuse and neglect. This focus lifts up a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of physical, social, emotional, cultural, and economic elements to create an environment that nurtures human potential and well-being.