On the first day of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, Linda E. Johnson, the newly retired Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT), was honored with a Resolution on the Vermont State House floor. This recognition celebrated her nearly four decades of dedication to the cause of ending child abuse. The Resolution was sponsored by Representative Theresa Wood, Chair of the House Human Services Committee, who has known Linda throughout her career. Linda’s well-deserved standing ovation reflected the profound impact she has made.

Throughout her career, Linda pioneered upstream approaches to improving the lives of Vermont's children. Her leadership was marked by compassion and a deep understanding of the transformative power of prevention. Under her guidance, PCAVT expanded its Family Support Programs statewide, offering empirically-based, well-evaluated programs that engage parents in mutual aid meetings focused on positive parenting practices.

From left to right, Linda’s neice, Margaret Slitzky, Linda E. Johnson, Representative Theresa Wood, and Linda’s nephew, Steven Weiss.

Linda also led the development of the Healthy Relationships Project, a nationally renowned curriculum designed to prevent child sexual abuse. Recognized as a “promising strategy” by the Lucy Faithful Foundation’s Eradicating Child Sexual Abuse Project, the curriculum is currently the subject of research funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Another cornerstone of Linda’s prevention efforts was the Safe Environments for Infants and Toddlers Program. This highly successful initiative has played a crucial role in raising awareness about shaken baby syndrome, a problem that has nearly been eradicated in Vermont. Through training on safe sleep positioning and shaken baby syndrome prevention, Linda’s program has ensured that high school students, parents, and professionals can provide infants with the best possible start in life.

In December 2024, Linda was honored with the very first Lifetime Champion for Children Award by the Board and Staff of PCAVT at the organization’s Annual Meeting. This recognition highlights the continued commitment of PCAVT to the mission Linda championed during her tenure.

This April, we invite you to join us in carrying forward the work Linda started, as we continue to honor her legacy and the ongoing mission of Prevent Child Abuse Vermont.