Though well-intentioned, current child welfare services may be failing to protect children from severe maltreatment due to constraints in policy, program design, practice and funding. Drawing from advances in the injury control field and other areas, this document summarizes the community conditions, systems factors, evidence-based practices (EBPs), and promising practices that may prevent child fatalities and severe child injuries related to child maltreatment. It also outlines future directions for practice and research.