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Quality Pre-kindergarten Cuts Abuse and Neglect By Half
Top Prosecutors Say Illinois in Unique Position to Lead in Child Safety

CONTACT: Lena Parsons - 312-986-9200 or 773-425-0725
FOR RELEASE: December 2, 2005

CHICAGO — Top prosecutors joined today to release new research that confirms if more children are able to access quality pre-kindergarten programs, they are less likely to be abused or neglected.

The research found that quality pre-kindergarten programs cut child abuse and neglect in half. The reduction in incidents of abuse and neglect come from the parent-coaching component of quality pre-kindergarten programs.

“Criminals are not born. With the help of child abuse and neglect, they are made. And the bad news is that we’re falling short of the investments needed in quality preschool programs. If we can increase these investments, not only will we improve children’s chances for success in school and in later life, but now we also know we will prevent child abuse,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Richard Devine.

St. Clair County State’s Attorney Bob Haida joined Devine at a news conference held today at the Westin Hotel to call on the Governor and General Assembly to continue their commitment to increased funding for quality pre-kindergarten, citing the reduction in child abuse and crime from quality pre-kindergarten programs.

The research is presented in a new report, Preschool: The Right Prescription to Cure Abuse and Neglect by FIGHT CRIME: INVEST IN KIDS ILLINOIS, the state office of the national, bipartisan nonprofit anti-crime organization of more than 2,500 police chiefs, sheriff, prosecutors, other law enforcement leaders and violence survivors preventing crime and violence.

The report discusses further analysis of results from the Chicago Child-Parent Centers, a nationally recognized model pre-kindergarten center. Comparing similar children not in the program to those who attended pre-kindergarten, researchers found those children who were not in the quality pre-kindergarten program were more than twice as likely to be listed in formal court petitions for abuse and neglect. Researchers attribute these new findings to the emphasis on parental involvement of a quality pre-kindergarten program.