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.”