National Conference on Child Abuse & Neglect

ACF's 25th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN), will be held May 11-13, 2027 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA . The conference theme takes its name from ACF's A Home for Every Child initiative, which seeks a better than 1:1 ratio of available foster homes to children entering care—homes waiting on children, not children waiting on homes.

The conference programming will support the initiative’s priorities by sharing innovative and evidence-based practices that safely reduce the number of children entering foster care and keep families together. Sessions will offer opportunities to learn from researchers, practitioners, and community members, develop effective strategies, and exchange ideas across sectors.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is pleased to announce that the Call for Proposals is now open for the 25th NCCAN! ACF seeks compelling, thought-provoking sessions that support the A Home for Every Child initiative’s priorities by sharing innovative and evidence-based practices that safely reduce the number of children entering foster care and keep families together. Accepted proposals will offer opportunities to learn from researchers, practitioners, and community members; develop effective strategies; and allow for the exchange of ideas across sectors.

Submissions are due Friday, July 10, 2026.  Download the PDF to learn more about proposal requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions. Join us in shaping a conference program that moves beyond conversation to meaningful action!

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Held biennially since 1976, NCCAN is the only federally sponsored national conference devoted to child maltreatment. It serves as the Nation's leading training and technical assistance event for practitioners, policymakers, advocates, and researchers. It is unique for its scope and the deep variety of its participants. It brings together an array of professionals from many different disciplines, as well as parents and volunteers who share a commitment to ensuring the well-being of children.

NCCAN provides a venue where those who are committed to achieving better outcomes for children, youth, and families can come together to learn from and support each other, take in new knowledge, build new understanding, and reenergize for the always changing and challenging work ahead.

Past NCCAN Conferences

• 23rd National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect - The 23rd National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) was held April 11-13 and April 18-20, 2023 virtually.
• 22nd National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect - The 22nd National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) was held July 27-29, 2021 virtually.
• 21st National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect - The 21st National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) was held April 24-26, 2019, in Washington, D.C.
• 20th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect - The 20th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) was held from August 31 to September 2, 2016, in Washington, D.C.
• 19th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect - The 19th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) was held from April 30 to May 2, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
• 18th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect - The 18th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) was held April 16-20, 2012, at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.
• 17th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect - The 17th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) was held from March 30 to April 4, 2009, in Atlanta, Ga.
• 16th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect - The 16th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) was held from April 16-21, 2007, in Portland, Or.
• 15th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect - The 15th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) was held from April 18-23, 2005, in Boston, Ma.
• 14th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect - The 14th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) was held from March 31- April 5, 2003, in St. Louis, MO.
• 13th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect - The 13th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) was held from April 23-28, 2001, in Albuquerque, NM.

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act: 40 Years of Safeguarding America's Children - This online publication combines historical source materials with contemporary reflections on the impact of CAPTA from leaders in the field.