The Founding of the Organization

Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT) was founded in 1976 under the name Parents Anonymous of Vermont. The organization began when Helen Parker, then a Head Start Home Visitor in Central Vermont, contacted the national Parents Anonymous office to request materials for developing a local chapter. Helen, along with Laura Smith, a Medical Social Worker at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital, convened a small group of parents who were eager to improve their parenting skills. The first chapter was launched in Montpelier and quickly grew as professionals from across the state began reaching out to start their own chapters.

Recognizing the growing interest, the founders decided to bring together other like-minded individuals to share experiences, challenges, and successes. They saw the need for a centralized resource office to support community-based programs, promote parent leadership, and encourage the sharing of ideas. This led to the creation of a Board of Directors, the formal incorporation of the organization, and its designation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Developing Statewide Programs

Soon after becoming a nonprofit, PCAVT began searching for a comprehensive parent education program and adopted the Nurturing Program for Parents and Children (ages 4–12). Since then, PCAVT has delivered over 838 Nurturing Programs across the state.

In 1989, PCAVT began publishing the Vermont Parents’ Home Companion and Resource Directory. To date, more than 360,000 copies have been distributed. This guide provides parenting tips, child development information, and a statewide directory of resources for families.

Because child sexual abuse is the most frequently reported and substantiated form of abuse in Vermont, PCAVT expanded its focus to include specialized prevention programs for children, youth, and adults. Programs such as Understanding and Responding to the Sexual Behavior of Children and Nurturing Healthy Sexual Development offer training for educators and professionals working with children to understand and prevent sexual abuse. School-based prevention programs like Care for Kids and Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens™ (SAFE-T) engage students, parents, and teachers in a health-based, community-centered approach.

In 1997, PCAVT launched the Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Program, which teaches parents, caregivers, and medical professionals about the dangers of shaking infants, how to comfort a crying baby, and how to manage stress safely.

In 1998, PCAVT began working with incarcerated parents. The organization offered Circle of Parents groups and Nurturing Parenting Programs for fathers and parents in recovery from substance use. These programs aim to support family reunification when appropriate, reduce recidivism, and strengthen healthy parent-child and partner relationships.

In response to the increasing risks of technology-facilitated child exploitation, PCAVT established its Technology Safety Program in 2008. With support from generous partners, this program takes a proactive approach that fosters empathy in youth, encourages adult engagement, and promotes community-wide safety strategies.

PCAVT continues to collaborate with United Ways, foundations, corporations, and state and federal agencies. Staff and leadership actively participate in coalitions, workgroups, and regional partnerships to strengthen services for families and improve access to prevention resources.

Our Role Expands

PCAVT now offers Training of Trainers (ToT) opportunities for Vermont-based social service organizations and for agencies across the country seeking high-quality, research-informed or evidence-based child sexual abuse prevention programming.

PCAVT’s Child and Youth Sexual Abuse Prevention Program Managers regularly travel to other states to conduct Training of Trainers sessions through The Healthy Relationships Project®, expanding our impact beyond Vermont.