As part of the Strategic Planning process, “Safety,” specifically juvenile violent and nonviolent offenses, child maltreatment and juvenile delinquency and recidivism, were identified as the top priorities. In addition, one of the six focus areas of the County Executive and Health and Human Services is to have an “Increased Focus on Intervention Services for At Risk Youth,” as the well-being and safety of the County’s youth is paramount in Prince George's County. The Health and Human Services Departments offer need based supportive services that stabilize and strengthen child and family welfare. Several well developed studies indicate that there are severe consequences for children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect, physically, psychologically and behaviorally. Children who experience abuse and neglect are at increased risk for substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, and low academic achievement.[1] One study shows that being abused or neglected as a child increases the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 59% and the likelihood of adult criminal behavior by 28%.[2] Additionally, there is an economic burden resulting from increased costs associated with childhood and adult health care, productivity losses, child welfare costs, criminal justice costs and special education costs.[3]

[1] Kelly BT, Thornberry TP, Smith CA. In the wake of child maltreatment. 1997. Washington (DC): National Institute of Justice

[2] Wisdom C S, Maxfield MG. An update on the “cycle of violence.” Washington (DC): National Institute of Justice; 2001.

[3] Fang X, Brown DS, Florence CS, Mercy JA. The economic burden of child maltreatment in the United States and implications for prevention. Child Abuse Negl. 2012;36(2), 156-165.