Asserting that children who are abused or neglected are at risk of becoming future violent criminals, this report argues that this cycle of violence can be prevented by investing in recently confirmed abuse prevention and intervention strategies. The report presents information on the number of deaths each year due to abuse and neglect and calls upon state and federal officials to fund a comprehensive, research-driven initiative to eliminate most abuse and neglect in high-risk families. This plan calls for efforts to: (1) offer coaching in parenting skills to all at-risk parents; (2) offer quality prekindergarten programs with parent-training for at-risk children; (3) ensure that pregnant women who are addicted have access to drug and alcohol treatment programs; and (4) provide mental health services for depressed or mentally ill parents. The report argues that such efforts are fiscally sound and that failure to invest in programs proven to prevent child abuse and neglect will cost billions of dollars while endangering millions of children and ensuring there will be thousands of future crime victims. The report's two appendices contain technical notes on how projections in the report were calculated and a list of federal programs used to provide funding for child welfare. (Contains 107 endnotes.) (KB)