Executive Director

DeAnne Thornton is the Executive Director of the Child Abuse Prevention Council Placer (CAPC). DeAnne joined CAPC in 1999 and has served as its Executive Director since 2005. She has over 20 years experience in the prevention field and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Science. As Executive Director, DeAnne oversees a staff of 30 employees at four locations in Placer County. Under DeAnne’s leadership, CAPC has strengthened its commitment to evidenced-based programming by investing its resources in programs proven to be effective in preventing child abuse and neglect.


DeAnne has led community efforts to implement Differential Response—an element of California’s child welfare reform designed to increase services to at-risk families. She is active in numerous local and regional efforts to enhance and sustain programs that strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect, including: the Breakthrough Series Collaborative on Differential Response; Placer County Redesign Leadership Team; Placer Collaborative Network; Placer Mental Health Services Steering Committee; Citrus Heights Collaborative; and the Sierra-Sacramento Coalition of Child Abuse Prevention Councils.