Cover of the commission's reportWithin Our Reach is an office established within the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities to further the recommendations of the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities. The Alliance is the key organizer in this national effort that works to achieve its goals through a spirit of shared ownership and collaboration with many partners. Within our Reach is made possible through a partnership with Casey Family Programs, whose mission is to provide, improve—and ultimately prevent the need for—foster care.

The Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities, which released its report to President Obama and Congress in March 2016, was formed as a result of the Protect Our Kids Act of 2012. This act garnered broad, bipartisan support in the House, passed the Senate unanimously, and was signed by President Obama Jan. 14, 2013.

Members of the commission included Alliance President and CEO Susan Dreyfus and Casey Family Programs Executive Vice President of Systems Improvement David Sanders, who served as its chairman.

Access the full report produced by the commission online.


November 2020: New Report Released

"Transforming Child Welfare Systems to a 21st Century Model that Strengthens and Supports Families and Communities: Innovations from the Field,” is a new report from the Within Our Reach office of the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities. 

It highlights the elements of a prevention-aligned, public health approach to child welfare and provides examples of innovative programs from communities and states across the nation that working to shift from a child welfare system to a child and family well-being system. 

This report and the work of the Within Our Reach office are made possible through the support of Casey Family Programs. 

Access the full report here.


Within Our Reach E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive monthly updates with information on the public health approach to child welfare transformation and examples of innovative efforts to prevent child maltreatment being led around the country.

 

Within Our Reach Blog

Snapshot of State and Local Progress

Click on sates to learn about policy and practice changes that align with Within Our Reach and recommendations of the commission.

 

Federal Government

See changes being implemented by the executive branch and Congress.

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States and Localities

See changes being implemented by various states and counties.

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National Groups

See changes being implemented by national organizations.

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First Progress Report

Released Jan. 31, 2018, Steps Forward: First Progress Report on Within Our Reach, the Final Report of the Federal Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities finds a groundswell of recent reforms in child welfare practices across the country that reflect CECANF recommendations. Read the news release.

Download the Executive Summary 

Download the Report 

 

Stakeholder Toolkit

This toolkit provides ideas for stakeholder engagement and communications efforts in support of the goals, strategies, and recommendations of Within Our Reach and the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities.

 

Submit Updates

Share news about practice and policy changes within local, state-level, or federal government or national organizations that align with recommendations of Within Our Reach and the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities.