Reflections on Henry Kempe’s Contributions to Child Abuse Prevention

Abstract

Henry Kempe’s 1971 research into the prediction and prevention of child abuse and neglect was the first of its kind. The aim of this chapter is to highlight the lessons learned from Kempe’s research that have particular salience in current practice. The author was an integral part of Kempe’s early research and carried forth the principles of this work into a blended and comprehensive early intervention program (The Community Infant Program) in Boulder, Colorado. The replicated concepts gleaned from Kempe’s research were multidisciplinary teaming and reflective dialogue, videotaped observation of parent–infant interaction, and meaningful access to services for families. These principles have provided the foundation for successful early intervention programming and the means for building family capacity and the prevention of child abuse and neglect.