Reframing Action for Child Abuse Prevention

Featuring Dr. Melissa T. Merrick

President & CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America

Prevent Child Abuse America is the nation’s oldest and largest organization committed to preventing child abuse and neglect before it happens, working towards a world where all children and families are living a purposeful and happy life with hope for the future by promoting programs and resources informed by science. A nationwide network of state chapters and home visiting sites provides parents and caregivers with a wide variety of services and resources. Respected experts develop innovative research to raise public awareness for family friendly policies at the national, state, and local levels.

Prevent Child Abuse America is led by President and CEO, Dr. Melissa T. Merrick, who is shaping philosophy and best practices. “For decades, our nation tackled the problem of child abuse and neglect through intervention and after-the-fact engagement. But research has proven that we can actually prevent child abuse before it happens by providing much-needed supports to parents and children,” says Dr. Merrick.

Dr. Merrick’s educational background focused on clinical psychology, with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree from San Diego State University and a doctoral degree from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Merrick has served as a senior epidemiologist at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is recognized as one of the country’s foremost experts on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). She has more than 20 years of clinical, research, and leadership experience related to the etiology, course, and prevention of child abuse and neglect.

According to Dr. Merrick, “We’re reinforcing the message that “Everyone can make great childhoods happen-especially you!” You don’t have to be a movie star or a professional athlete…all you need is a desire to make a difference. We all want what’s best for our children-for them to be safe, healthy, and happy. In fact, we want this for our children more than even for ourselves. Unfortunately, we don’t always share these same hopes and commitments to action for everybody’s children, let alone children and families in other communities and neighborhoods beyond our own. Together, we can prevent child abuse, America…because childhood lasts a lifetime.”

Working Tirelessly to Build Community and Help Children

Featuring Christine Benero

President & CEO of Mile high United Way

Born in New York City in 1960, Christine Benero moved with her family to Littleton, Colorado when she was only two years old. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Boston University and her graduate degree from Harvard, Christine started as a special education teacher for adjudicated teenagers in rural New Hampshire. Due to her passion for building community and helping children, she then served as director of Vermont’s first employer-supported childcare center. With an increased interest in public policy and non-profit organizations, Christine continued by serving as the Director of the Office of Public Liaison for Corporation of National and Community Service, which oversees Americorps, under both Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

After returning to Colorado, Christine became CEO of the American Red Cross Mile High chapter and then the President and CEO of Mile High United Way. She has worked tirelessly to help families access affordable, childhood education, and has been instrumental through Mile High United Way in helping community partners create four early childhood education centers from Aurora to West Denver. Under her guidance, United Way Mile High has been active in public policy, advocating for childcare contribution tax credits as well as other key childcare funding. In 2025, Christine Benero was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.

Speaking from experience, Christine says, “If I had any advice for anyone, it is to try it: show up, volunteer, engage. It is amazing. People always say, oh, you're volunteering. You're giving so much. The truth is, it's what you get back. You find a career, you find your best friends, you find a passion, and you find joy. Even when things are challenging and families are facing so much, the great hope that I have is there is always someone who raises their hand, says “yes,” says “maybe I can't do it all, but this little bit I can do.” And that's the very point of all of it. If we all do just a little bit united, we can do a lot. And that is what gives me hope.”

Christine’s own inspiration for giving back comes from both her grandmothers and her mother who were ahead of their times in career aspirations. She continues with her promise to assist in times of crisis while building a better landscape for the future of families and children in Colorado.