Centers of Excellence

The Vincent J. Fontana Center For Child Protection

The mission of The Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection is to prevent child maltreatment and promote the well-being of children in times of crisis through advocacy, professional development, public education, research, and partnering with other like organizations and national leaders.

A nationally-renowned leader in the field of child welfare, The Fontana Center seeks to:

Increase the public’s awareness and sensitivity toward child abuse and neglect
Reduce child maltreatment through the promotion of positive parenting

Impact legislation regarding child maltreatment
Improve practice through research
Train professional staff to help reduce the incidence of child maltreatment

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View Upcoming Trainings

Research: Conducts research to identify and implement the most effective interventions for children and families.

The Center’s Research Department has published 25 articles in peer review journals and the book, Bonded to the Abuser: How Victims Make Sense of Childhood Abuse.
The Center collaborates with universities and national research experts to produce papers and organize conferences to promote the primary prevention of child maltreatment.

Public Education: Improves the general public’s knowledge and attitudes toward child maltreatment.

The Center offers public tours. Visitors to the Center’s exhibits view children’s artwork, read or listen to children’s songs related to child maltreatment, watch videos of youth and caregivers and learn about the contributors to the history of child protection reform.
Artist Collective is a safe space or youth in foster care to express themselves through various art forms and share their artwork with target audiences at the Foundling and community audiences.

Professional Development: Provides educational programs, workshops and conferences to improve the knowledge of professionals working within the field of child welfare.

The Center in partnership with APSAC sponsors national conferences, institutes, webinars and online trainings to help prevent child maltreatment. View upcoming trainings here.
The Center co-sponsors conferences in New York State with other child abuse organizations.
Each year the Center sponsors the William Randolph Hearst Program for Health Care Providers in the Prevention of Child Maltreatment and the Foundling’s Annual Professional Conference.

Advocacy: Informs lawmakers to pass legislation and establish policies to advance the field of child welfare, strengthen families, prevent child maltreatment, and support trauma-informed treatment interventions.

The Center is the lead agency in the national movement to end corporal punishment in the United States.
In collaboration with APSAC and Columbia University, the Center founded the Psychological Maltreatment Alliance, the world’s primary resource center on child psychological maltreatment, its nature, and how to prevent it in ways that protect and promote psychological well-being.
The Center is a partner in the National Child Policy Center whose mission is to translate research into usable resources to promote evidence-informed policy-making and best practices for professions involved in the field of child maltreatment.

Visit The Fontana Center’s Exhibit

“A Story of Hope, Healing and Resiliency: Understanding and Preventing Child Maltreatment”

Through the exhibit we honor the lives and experiences of children and adults who have been impacted by childhood maltreatment, as well as the parents, caregivers, professionals and other partners who support these children. In addition, the exhibit showcases the life’s work and achievements of one of our center’s founders, Dr. Vincent J. Fontana, who contributed significantly to the recognition of the maltreatment of children as a major social problem. To schedule a tour of The Fontana Center, please email FontanaCenter@nyfoundling.org or call 212-660-1357. You can also learn more by watching our latest video series.

The Fontana Center

About Dr. Vincent J. Fontana

Dr. Fontana was a national voice for children who have been abused or neglected. He helped define the scope and magnitude of child maltreatment in the U.S. During his lifetime, Dr. Fontana authored 150 articles, published books, and led the fight for mandatory reporting laws for children suspected of being abused or neglected.

The Fontana Center

Upcoming Trainings and Conferences

Our professional development workshops, classes, and courses throughout the year provide valuable insights and knowledge for those working with children and families in the social service field.

Upcoming 2025 opportunities include:

Thursday, April 10 | 1:00 PM
WEBINAR: APSAC NY- Courtroom Psychology: How To Be A Great Witness And Survive In The Courtroom
This program, taught by an attorney and expert mental health witness, is designed for the expert and lay (fact) witness, and will “demystify” the trial process. It will address and explain the different layers of action in the courtroom, how to “read” it and how to effectively respond.
Register Here

Thursday, April 10 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM
WEBINAR: Controversial Topics Course – The Hidden Factor: Unpacking Trauma in Justice-Involved Youth
Presented by Dr. Akeem Marsh
Trauma is common amongst youth with disruptive behavior disorders, particularly those involved in the juvenile justice system. The workshop explores the role of trauma, survival coping behaviors, validity of diagnoses, and approaches to evaluating trauma-related symptoms in these youth.
Register Here

Friday, May 2 | 11:00 AM
WEBINAR: What Everyone in Child Welfare Should Understand about Sexuality with Dr. Janet Rosenzweig
With a goal of increasing your sense of preparedness to work with parents and foster parents, this workshop will explore topics around sexual development, anatomy, physiology and sexual health and safety.
Register Here

June 23 – 26
CONFERENCE: APSAC 2025 Colloquium
APSAC’s 32nd Colloquium will bring high-quality interdisciplinary learning opportunities to child maltreatment researchers and practitioners across experience levels and professions. Extraordinary plenary speakers will join us and more than 130 sessions will be available! Sessions will be offered at beginning, intermediate, or advanced levels for professionals in mental health, social work, medicine, nursing, law, education, law enforcement, prevention, research, advocacy, child protective services, and allied fields.
Register Here

Wednesday, August 13 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM
WEBINAR: Controversal Topics Course – Are Minimal Facts Interviews the Best Practice presented by Detective (ret.) Mike Johnson
The primary mandate of a Child Advocacy Center is to provide its multidisciplinary team with an immediate response to an outcry in a trauma-informed and victim- and family-friendly facility. Many CACs have now created an additional layer that delays the start of an investigation and protective intervention – the Minimal Facts Interview. This presentation seeks to shed light on the dangers of the minimal facts interview and will provide solutions to this practice.
Register Here

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Partnership

American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children

The Foundling’s Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection is partnered with the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. It is the leading national organization supporting professionals who serve children and families affected by child maltreatment and violence.

Partnership Press Release Join APSAC