Presenter: Jennie Noll, PhD, Director of Mount Hope Family Center and Professor of Psychology at the University of Rochester

In partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dr. Jennie Noll and her team implemented and evaluated a 3-pronged child sexual abuse (CSA) primary prevention effort—the Safe and Healthy Communities Initiative (SHCI)—which included evidence-based community awareness events to 5% of the adult population, a school-based program to reach 100% of second graders, and an evidence-based parent-focused program delivered to every parent served by protective services. After 3 years of implementation, results showed that SHCI decreased CSA reports, substantiations, and invalid dispensations in the 5 experimental counties compared to control counties. Implementation in school systems was by far the most successful aspect of the intervention. Further directions and possible collaborations will be discussed.