Child abuse prevention efforts at risk during government shutdown

November 7, 2025  |  By Katie Kelly

As the federal government remains shut down, many of the supports that Vermont families and children rely on are under threat, creating ripple effects for child abuse prevention programs and the safety net services that help keep homes healthy and safe.

At Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, we know that prevention begins with strong, supported families. Programs such as Parent Circles, the Nurturing Parenting Program, the Adult Responsibility Project, and the free materials we provide to hospitals, including the Vermont Parent's Home Companion, help families reduce stress, stay connected, and keep children safe. When federal funding streams are stalled or delayed, these programs are placed at risk, directly affecting the families who depend on them.

Shutdown impacts

Federal contracts and grants that sustain our child abuse prevention and family support programs are now in jeopardy. With the shutdown halting or delaying federal payments, Prevent Child Abuse Vermont faces the possibility of funding interruptions that could force us to pause or scale back critical services.

Every day the shutdown continues, uncertainty grows, affecting multi-year grants, reimbursement schedules, and pending awards that our programs rely on. These disruptions not only affect budgets, they threaten our ability to train parents, deliver prevention education, and provide direct support to families in need.

At the same time, as public resources shrink, more Vermont families are turning to us for help, just as we face the risk of losing or delaying the funding that allows us to serve them. The strain on both sides is real, and the consequences could be long-lasting if federal support is not restored soon.

What this means in Vermont

Across the state, the effects of the shutdown are already being felt. Families who were already stretched thin may face increased food insecurity, disrupted caregiving supports, and fewer options for safe, reliable services. When those safety nets weaken, everyday stress can quickly become a crisis.

Research and experience show that the risk of child abuse and neglect rises when caregivers are under sustained stress and preventive supports are disrupted. For many families, these programs are lifelines, not luxuries.

At Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, we and our partners may be forced to shift resources, delay program expansion, or scale back outreach at the very moment demand is increasing. The longer the shutdown lasts, the harder it becomes to maintain the consistent, dependable support that families count on to stay strong and safe.

Response and call to action

We remain committed to doing everything we can for Vermont’s children and families. At this time, we are monitoring federal funding streams and working with state and private partners to fill gaps. We are reaching out to our community, caregivers, and service providers to ensure that stressors are addressed and that families know where to find help. We are also calling on policymakers in Vermont and Washington to prioritize continuity of essential services for children and families during budget negotiations.

We urge Congress and the administration to act immediately to reopen and fully fund the federal government. Every day of delay puts more children, families, and communities at risk. The well-being of families should never become collateral damage in a political standoff.

“Prevention can’t be put on hold,” said Prevent Child Abuse Vermont Executive Director Jonathan Williams. “When essential supports are delayed or disrupted, families and children feel the impact immediately. We have a responsibility to keep the safety net strong, and that means acting now.”

Katie Kelly is the communications manager for the nonprofit Prevent Child Abuse Vermont based in Montpelier. Prevent Child Abuse Vermont works to support healthy families and prevent child abuse and neglect. More online at pcavt.org