Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment Services (CAPIT)

Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment Services (CAPIT) are mandated by California State Assembly Bill 1733 to help prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect. The CAPIT program will provide a range of services designed to assist families facing challenges.

Services include:

  • Intake and assessment
  • Individual, family, and group-based counseling sessions
  • Case support and resource referrals, including aftercare
  • Parenting education services

These services aim to promote family stability and encourage the development of practical skills. The program emphasizes the following key protective principles:

  • Parental strength and resilience
  • Community and family relationship-building
  • Understanding of parenting and child development
  • Positive behavior and communication skills among children

This set of services is intended to reinforce family strength and encourage the development of healthy habits, while helping parents and caregivers adopt the following five core protective principles:

These principles are foundational to the Strengthening Families approach. Research supports the clear idea that when these strengths are present and actively used in family life, the chances of child abuse and neglect decrease significantly. For more, see the Protective Factors Framework at the Center for the Study of Social Policy’s Strengthening Families™ site (https://www.cssp.org/).

Five Protective Principles:

  • Parental strength and resilience: Parents who can stay solution-focused and calm during challenges are more likely to navigate everyday stress effectively.
  • Community relationships: Families benefit from support systems including extended relatives, friends, neighbors, and others who provide encouragement and practical problem-solving.
  • Understanding parenting and child development: Parents who know how children grow and learn are more likely to foster positive habits and reduce negative behaviors.
  • Reliable support in difficult times: Families must have access to essentials—such as housing, food, and healthcare—to support a child’s healthy development.
  • Positive behavior and communication skills in children: Children who learn how to manage their actions and clearly express their needs are more likely to build healthy relationships with adults and peers.