CDC Foundation and Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Partner to Improve Child Abuse Prevention Programs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation (CDC Foundation) has received a $3 million grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. A CDC research team will use the funds to test whether technology, such as cell phones, Web-based learning and virtual reality software can be used to improve child abuse prevention programs.
A peer review committee convened by CDC will select one to three organizations that will each receive a grant to add a new technology component to an ongoing, effective parenting program. CDC experts will provide the grantees with technical assistance and, at the end of the four-year grant period, will evaluate the usefulness of the added technology in improving overall program implementation, increasing enrollment and retention rates, improving parenting skills and reducing incidents of child abuse. CDC will then publish the findings and share best practices with child abuse prevention organizations nationwide.
“The partnership between the CDC Foundation, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, CDC and grantees will provide new and important information about the best strategies to prevent child abuse and promote healthy families,” says Charles Stokes, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation.
CDC issued a request for proposals in December 2005 and expects to announce one to three final grant recipients in fall of 2006. Key findings derived from the four-year grant program are expected to be reported in 2010.
“Helping children have a safe, healthy environment and making sure that adults have the information and skills they need to help children stay safe, healthy and free from harm is a priority for CDC,” says CDC Injury Center director Ileana Arias, Ph.D. “We believe these grants have the potential to identify new innovations and prevention efforts to help us break the cycle of child maltreatment and are pleased to have the support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the CDC Foundation."
“Decades of technological advancements have changed the way we live, work and communicate. Assessing whether and how new technology can enhance programs that strengthen families has the potential to spur innovation in prevention efforts across the country,” said Joan E. Spero, president of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. “We are pleased to be able to support the work of CDC, which brings significant expertise and resources to this initiative.”
More information about the request for proposals and the application process is available online at http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/CE06-006.htm. All letters of intent must be received by February 19, 2006.