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October 2003Vol. 4, No. 8National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information Launches New Website Design

The National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information is pleased to announce the launch of its redesigned website (http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov). By enhancing the Clearinghouse's ability to connect users with timely, reliable information about child abuse and neglect, child abuse and neglect prevention, and child welfare, the site truly embodies the new Clearinghouse tagline, "Gateways to Information: Protecting Children, Strengthening Families."

"More than 99 percent of our contacts with customers now take place via the Web," said Mary Sullivan, Clearinghouse Director. "We believe the design of this new site, developed with extensive user input, will help us serve those customers more efficiently by directing them quickly and easily to the information they need."

To create the website's new design, the Clearinghouse went directly to its two largest customer groups: child welfare professionals and the general public. Clearinghouse staff asked selected users to review the current site and provide feedback on whether--and how easily--they found what they needed most. This detailed "usability testing" was part of a larger needs assessment process that included focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders such as State child welfare program managers, directors of National Resource Centers, representatives from other national organizations, and Federal employees.

Ongoing responsiveness to user concerns is built in to the new site's design, through a "Give Us Suggestions" feature, an opportunity to rate and comment on the utility of various resources, and a section of the home page that will highlight the site's most popular resources. Other notable features include:

  • Improved navigation and topical organization. The new structure, including an A to Z index of keywords, allows users to move through the site more easily.
  • Enhanced search function. In addition to identifying relevant site content, the new search function points users to related national organizations, Clearinghouse publications, library abstracts, Children's Bureau Express articles, and training opportunities.
  • State-specific information. Users can search for laws, websites, contacts, and conferences by State.
  • Online ordering. For the first time, print copies of Clearinghouse publications can be requested online.

Clearinghouse staff are still available to assist customers by mail, phone, fax, or email. The contact information remains the same:

National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information
330 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20447
Phone: (800) 394-3366 or (703) 385-7565
Fax: (703) 385-3206
Email: nccanch@caliber.com

cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families and the Children's Bureau

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