Dear Visitor,

Welcome to the improved website of the Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection. The Fontana Center , founded in 1998, is a separate not-for-profit organization of The New York Foundling which for 136 years has, with love and innovation, created programs to meet the needs of the most vulnerable members of our society.

As the only center of its kind based in a family service agency, the Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection is building upon and expanding both the mission of The New York Foundling and the memory of Dr. Fontana, Medical Director of the New York Foundling and one of the nation's preeminent experts in child maltreatment.

The Fontana Center 's mission is to enhance and refine primary prevention methods that will decrease the incidence of child abuse and neglect, and help children and families heal from the adverse effects of child maltreatment. Through our training, research, public awareness, and primary prevention programs and services, The Fontana Center seeks not only the reduction of abuse and neglect, but also its eventual elimination. We are a beacon of hope for children, providing leadership to child abuse prevention and treatment efforts

Whether you are a mandated reporter of child abuse, a health care or social work student, a parent, or a concerned community member, we have structured this website to help you find information and guidance. If you have questions or cannot find the information you seek, please contact us at: info@fontancenter.org

Members of the mandated reporting professional community , can learn about our practice-based research programs and the training and educational opportunities offered at and through The Fontana Center.

Parent and involved community members can find out about our educational programs, public exhibitions and lectures, and discover resources for identifying and reporting incidences of child abuse or maltreatment. Please use our and others' resources to learn effective and positive parenting techniques and - most importantly - learn ways to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Dr. Vincent J. Fontana wrote, "Children are hurting, some of them beyond remedy, resulting in psychological and physical scars that can last a lifetime. These are society's forgotten children." No child should ever experience the traumatic consequences of child maltreatment. It is for this reason that the primary focus of the Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection is to prevent abuse before it occurs.

If you wish to contribute to our efforts or have time to volunteer, please contact us and help children of all ages succeed.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Mel Schneiderman, PhD, Director