Policy and politics: the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act

Politics and policy frequently interact to affect substantially the final shape of legislation. In the case of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, public hearings and the media focused attention on the problem of abused children, helping to create a climate favorable for action by the Congress. The shapers of the bill deliberately accepted an incremental approach, believing that adequate funding for a more comprehensive attack on child abuse was not forthcoming. This "something is better than nothing" strategy may well be appropriate at the present time for many children's programs.