Janet began her research and clinical work in the area of child abuse and neglect prevention, parent-infant attachment and home visitation in 1971 with Dr. C. Henry Kempe and colleagues at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. This pioneering research was focused on the prediction and prevention of child maltreatment. Janet has also conducted research in Great Britain, where efforts concentrated on understanding the effects of the Nurse Health Visitor system in preventing child maltreatment.

Janet has authored articles, chapters and produced educational videotapes on the prevention of child abuse and neglect, sexual abuse and failure to thrive. She provides consultation and training on such topics as program development, reflective supervision and working with vulnerable families to multi-disciplinary audiences in the United States and abroad