Instead of "target" a population or a problem such as child abuse, use the words "serve" or "focus on" or "direct our efforts" at.
Instead of "combat" domestic violence, say "find creative, innovative, and positive ways" to make a positive impact on domestic violence.
Instead of "targeted case management" as a Medicaid benefit, say "focused care coordination". People don't want to be targeted at or managed or treated as cases.
Instead of focusing mostly on deficits and pathology and risks and what's wrong with people and communities, focus on their strengths, and their resilience.
Instead of always saying needs assessment, say needs and strengths assessment.
These are just a few: We need to get away from blaming the individual, to understanding how indicidual behavior is frequently an attempt to deal with an impossibly hard situation or experience. And thus, our language should reflect that.
Richard Aronson