ORS 418.189 Policy on prevention of child abuse and neglect

The Legislative Assembly recognizes that children are society’s most valuable resource and that child abuse and neglect is a threat to the physical, mental and emotional health of children. The Legislative Assembly further recognizes that assisting community-based private nonprofit and public organizations, agencies or school districts in identifying and establishing needed primary prevention programs will reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect, and the necessity for costly subsequent intervention in family life by the state. Child abuse and neglect prevention programs can be most effectively and economically administered through the use of trained volunteers and the cooperative efforts of the communities, citizens and the state.