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Centers of Excellence

The Vincent J. Fontana Center For Child Protection

The mission of The Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection is to prevent child maltreatment and promote the well-being of children in times of crisis through advocacy, professional development, public education, research, and partnering with other like organizations and national leaders.

A nationally-renowned leader in the field of child welfare, The Fontana Center seeks to:

  • Increase the public’s awareness and sensitivity toward child abuse and neglect
  • Reduce child maltreatment through the promotion of positive parenting
  • Impact legislation regarding child maltreatment
  • Improve practice through research
  • Train professional staff to help reduce the incidence of child maltreatment
Download the Brochure
View Upcoming Trainings

Research: Conducts research to identify and implement the most effective interventions for children and families.

  • The Center’s Research Department has published 25 articles in peer review journals and the book, Bonded to the Abuser: How Victims Make Sense of Childhood Abuse.
  • The Center collaborates with universities and national research experts to produce papers and organize conferences to promote the primary prevention of child maltreatment.

Public Education: Improves the general public’s knowledge and attitudes toward child maltreatment.

  • The Center offers public tours. Visitors to the Center’s exhibits view children’s artwork, read or listen to children’s songs related to child maltreatment, watch videos of youth and caregivers and learn about the contributors to the history of child protection reform.
  • Artist Collective is a safe space or youth in foster care to express themselves through various art forms and share their artwork with target audiences at the Foundling and community audiences.

Professional Development: Provides educational programs, workshops and conferences to improve the knowledge of professionals working within the field of child welfare.

  • The Center in partnership with APSAC sponsors national conferences, institutes, webinars and online trainings to help prevent child maltreatment. View upcoming trainings here.
  • The Center co-sponsors conferences in New York State with other child abuse organizations.
  • Each year the Center sponsors the William Randolph Hearst Program for Health Care Providers in the Prevention of Child Maltreatment and the Foundling’s Annual Professional Conference.

Advocacy: Informs lawmakers to pass legislation and establish policies to advance the field of child welfare, strengthen families, prevent child maltreatment, and support trauma-informed treatment interventions.

  • The Center is the lead agency in the national movement to end corporal punishment in the United States.
  • In collaboration with APSAC and Columbia University, the Center founded the Psychological Maltreatment Alliance, the world’s primary resource center on child psychological maltreatment, its nature, and how to prevent it in ways that protect and promote psychological well-being.
  • The Center is a partner in the National Child Policy Center whose mission is to translate research into usable resources to promote evidence-informed policy-making and best practices for professions involved in the field of child maltreatment.

Visit The Fontana Center’s Exhibit

“A Story of Hope, Healing and Resiliency: Understanding and Preventing Child Maltreatment”

Through the exhibit we honor the lives and experiences of children and adults who have been impacted by childhood maltreatment, as well as the parents, caregivers, professionals and other partners who support these children. In addition, the exhibit showcases the life’s work and achievements of one of our center’s founders, Dr. Vincent J. Fontana, who contributed significantly to the recognition of the maltreatment of children as a major social problem. To schedule a tour of The Fontana Center, please email FontanaCenter@nyfoundling.org or call 212-660-1357. You can also learn more by watching our latest video series.

The Fontana Center

About Dr. Vincent J. Fontana

Dr. Fontana was a national voice for children who have been abused or neglected. He helped define the scope and magnitude of child maltreatment in the U.S. During his lifetime, Dr. Fontana authored 150 articles, published books, and led the fight for mandatory reporting laws for children suspected of being abused or neglected.

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The Fontana Center

Upcoming Trainings and Conferences

Our professional development workshops, classes, and courses throughout the year provide valuable insights and knowledge for those working with children and families in the social service field.

Upcoming 2025 opportunities include:

9/3 to 12/10
12:30-2PM (ET)
Virtual
Online Course: Hearst Program for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment
The William Randolph Hearst Program provides social workers, graduate students, case workers, nurses, school counselors, and other professionals the opportunity to take part in weekly sessions led by a variety of professionals from different multidisciplinary backgrounds.

Register | Download Brochure (.pdf)

9/12
12-1PM (ET)
Virtual
ACEs Health Champions Gathering – Do Custody Issues interfere with Child Maltreatment Reporting, Assessment and Treatment?
Presented by
 Seth Goldstein
Seth will discuss how child abuse allegations, including sexual abuse, are often dismissed when child abuse professionals learn that the parents are divorcing or involved in a custody dispute. He stresses that due diligence is essential, no matter the family situation. Seth’s core question: How can we know the truth if we don’t seriously look?

Register 

Partnership

American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children

The Foundling’s Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection is partnered with the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. It is the leading national organization supporting professionals who serve children and families affected by child maltreatment and violence.

Partnership Press Release Join APSAC

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