The purpose of this paper is to summarize current trends in child abuse prevention and to provide program administrators and policymakers with guidelines for implementing successful new parent programs in their communities. Contents address: (1) the scope of the child abuse problem; (2) a theoretical framework or conceptual model for use in designing effective, new parenting services; (3) model program components for providing a mixture of therapeutic and supportive services; (4) empirical evidence on the effectiveness of programs designed to strengthen parents and reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect through early intervention; (5) barriers to prevention; and (6) recommendations for the development of a comprehensive policy for local prevention advocates. (RH)