Houston Center for the Treatment and Prevention of Child Abuse

Initiative:	Houston Center for the Treatment and Prevention of Child Abuse
University:	UH, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Focus:	Urban Outreach

Home Department

Department of Psychology

Key Faculty

Professor David Francis, Professor John Vincent, Professor Roy Lachman

Program Description

The proposed center would focus on the study, prevention, and treatment of child abuse. First, the forensic psychology program would continue to develop indicators to spot possible abusive situations and methods to help victims work through the criminal justice system. Second, the clinical psychology group would treat children and families to help them overcome their experience and avoid the recurrent intergenerational cycle of abuse.

Priorities Addressed

Child Welfare, Health, Education, Family Violence

Background and Qualifications

The college already has faculty experts working in these areas. The Department of Psychology also has the experience and the expertise to work with multiethnic populations. The department has already partnered with Justice for Children, a national child advocacy organization, to provide training to their staff to help with battered women and children.

Federal Agency

Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services

Annual Budget
Personnel	$1,500,000
TOTAL(for 5 years)	$7,500,000

The center would seek other research funding after start-up and serve as a center for both research and clinical activity in UH and the community.