Children hold the greatest potential of ensuring the strongest future for Alaska and as stewards of children, adults have a shared obligation to foster and protect them. This means ensuring families gain the knowledge, skills, supports and resources they need to create a safe, stable and nurturing environment for children. Most children grow up with the supports needed to remain safe and develop the social and emotional tools to become a contributing member of society. Unfortunately, many do not. Thousands of cases of child abuse and neglect are substantiated each year. Nearly 45% of these children are under the age of 4.