The Safe Start initiative is funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The goal of the initiative is to broaden the knowledge of and promote community investment in evidence-based strategies for preventing and reducing the impact of children's exposure to violence. |
Welcome to the Safe Start Center bimonthly e-newsletter. In this issue, we highlight the work of SafeStart San Francisco, and feature manuals for law enforcement to prevent and respond to school violence and bullying. We begin this issue with the announcement of new competitive grants by the U.S. Department of Justice. Proposals are due June 1, 2010. Please send feedback about the e-newsletter to info@safestartcenter.org or call (800) 865-0965.
IN THIS ISSUE
Current news related to the impact of exposure to family and community violence on children and their families
Conferences, funding opportunities and related initiatives in the news
Spotlight on a community initiative to prevent and reduce the impact of domestic and community violence on children
Print and media resources for professionals and families
Back to Top
CEV AND SAFE START IN THE NEWS
New Funding Opportunities for the Attorney General's Initiative on Children Exposed to Violence
U.S. Department of Justice Press Release, 2010
On March 31, 2010, the Department of Justice released more than $5 million in available funds to address the high incidence of American children's exposure to violence. The Department has made these funds available through six grant solicitations targeting planning, outreach, research, and best practices. Application dateline is June 1, 2010. Access the solicitations.
Back to Top
The U.S. Department of Justice Assists Grant Applicants with Additional Online Resources
The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has launched a Grants 101 Web page to assist applicants in navigating the challenges of the competitive application and grant award process. This portal page offers several resources, especially useful for new applicants, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has launched a Grants 101 Web page to assist applicants in navigating the challenges of the competitive application and grant award process. This portal page offers several resources, especially useful for new applicants. Access Grants 101 Web page. Back to Top
May is Foster Care Month
Foster Care Month is celebrated in May to raise awareness about the 463,000 children in foster care and to encourage citizens to get involved in the lives of these youth as foster parents, volunteers, mentors, employers, or volunteers. View the president’s proclamation
or
visit the Foster Care Month Web site for more information.
Back to Top
National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is May 6th!
National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is a day for everyone to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families. Contact Marie Enie, Art Action lead at SAMHSA, at menie@vancomm.com, for art activities for children ages 3-8. Contact Lorrin Gehring, Youth Action lead, at lgehring@ffcmh.org to help children older than 8 years old create signs depicting what want to do when they grow up. To learn more about this event, please visit www.samhsa.gov/children/.
Back to Top
Symposium On Child Protection in Indian Country
On March 9-11, 2010, OJJDP brought together more than 60 tribes for the first national symposium on child protection in Indian country. Topics included the effects of domestic violence on children, how to create and develop child protection teams, and multi-disciplinary approaches to child abuse and child neglect. View meeting summary.
Back to Top
OJJDP Holds Annual Blueprints Conference
On April 7-9, 2010, the Blueprints for Violence Prevention Initiative hosted the third annual Blueprints Conference. The Blueprints initiative identifies outstanding violence-prevention programs that meet a scientific standard of effectiveness, with the goal of replicating these programs in communities across the nation. Successful programs were highlighted at the conference for their effectiveness in reducing adolescent violent crime, aggression, delinquency, and substance abuse. Access information about the Blueprints initiative. Back to Top
EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Birth To Three Institute Call for Papers
Zero to Three
The Early Head Start National Resource Center is inviting proposals for the Birth To Three Institute to be held October 25 - 28, 2010 in Washington, DC. Of particular interest are presentations that focus on the critical nature of development in the first three years of life and the role that relationships play in promoting healthy early development. Proposals are due May 9, 2010. Review guidelines and criteria. Back to Top
Conference on Differential Response Call for Papers
American Humane
Proposals are invited for presentations at the 2010 Conference on Differential Response in Child Welfare to be held Nov. 8-10, 2010 in Anaheim, California. The conference will address four areas: prevention/early intervention; alternative response; traditional response/investigation; and chronic neglect. Proposals are due May 14, 2010. Access proposal guidelines.
Back to Top
Initiative to Assist Military Families
Zero to Three
Coming Together Around Military Families is an initiative to strengthen the resilience of very young children and their families who are experiencing trauma, grief and loss as a result of a service member's deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq. A core component is the Duty to Care training series. Access information about Duty to Care training. Back to Top
Family Group Decision Making Webinars
American Humane
This series promotes dialogue to help community leaders advance the practice, policy and implementation of FGDM and other family engagement approaches, and build strategic solutions to implementation challenges. "Addressing the Challenges of Substance Abuse in FGDM", takes place at 2 p.m. EDT on May 18, 2010. Register for seminars.
Back to Top
NCTSN Online Learning Events
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Online seminars scheduled for May 2010 include "Hispanic Stigmas Toward Trauma Treatment and Engagement Recommendations in TF-CBT" and "Consultation in the Context of Terrorism and Disaster." In June, a seminar on "Creating and Sustaining Boards" will be offered. Access the NCTSN Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma.
Back to Top
Free VictimLaw Webinar Series
National Center for Victims of Crime
Throughout 2010, the Center will present victim-centered, research-informed training through free online Webinars. Each Webinar will guide attendees through searches available on VictimLaw, and are designed for victim service providers, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and allied professionals. Register for the VictimLaw Webinars.
Back to Top
Support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Youth
Several national hotlines offer help for adolescents and young adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender or who are questioning their sexuality: The GLBT National Youth Talkline, 1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743), provides telephone and e-mail counseling by trained peers, Monday–Friday, 8 p.m. – midnight (Eastern). Counselors can help young people deal with many issues, including coming out, relationships, parents, problems at school and anxiety about HIV and AIDS. The Trevor Helpline, 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386), provides crisis counseling and suicide prevention 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Back to Top
Healthier Moms and Babies, by Phone
National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
Text4baby is a free mobile information service providing free, health-related text messages to pregnant women and new mothers. By texting BABY (or BEBE, for Spanish language updates) to 511411, a woman receives free weekly updates through the first year of her child's life. Access Text4baby.
Back to Top
That's Not Cool
Family Violence Prevention Fund and Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. DOJ
That's Not Cool is a national public education campaign designed to prevent teen dating abuse. The campaign uses digital examples of controlling behavior online and by cell phone to encourage teens to draw their own line about what is, or is not, acceptable relationship behavior. Visit the Web site.
Back to Top
You(th) Have the Right Campaign
National Center for Victims of Crime
Resources for schools, youth organizations, and other community groups teach adults about the realities of youth victimization and how to help youth, ages 12 to 24, disclose crimes. Publications include Getting Help, for victims, and When a Youth Is Victimized, for adults who are in a position to help youth victims. Access campaign materials.
Back to Top
National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development Conference
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Phoenix, AZ, June 6-9, 2010
This conference is for teacher educators, program administrators, and others who provide professional development experiences for the early childhood workforce. The theme for the conference is "Emotional Intelligence: A 21st Century Skill for Children and Adults." Access conference materials.
Back to Top
International Family Violence Research Conference
University of New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Research Center
Portsmouth, NH, July 11-13, 2010
Participants share the latest research on family violence such as child abduction, homicide, rape, assault, and physical and sexual abuse as well as their impact. Access conference announcement.
Back to Top
Training Institutes - National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., July 14-18, 2010
This conference provides training on local systems of care for children, adolescents, and young adults with or at risk for mental health challenges. Topics include clinical interventions, supports, and assessing outcomes. Access conference materials.
Back to Top
Conference on Family Group Decision Making
American Humane
Burlington, VT, June 22-25, 2010
Workshop topics include family group conferencing, family team meetings, child permanency mediation, youth conferencing, circles of support, and other family involvement approaches. Participants include providers in child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, and domestic violence. Access conference materials.
Back to Top
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Conference
San Diego, CA, July 18-21, 2010
This conference provides information and tools to improve case processing and outcomes for children, youth, families, victims, and communities. Participants include judges, prosecutors, family law attorneys, defense counsel, administrators, social workers, mental health professionals, CASA workers, and others interested in the improvement of juvenile and family justice. Access conference materials.
Back to Top
National Center for Victims of Crime Conference
New Orleans, LA, September 14-16, 2010
This conference is held in conjunction with the National Crime Victim Bar Association Conference. Topics include promising practices, current research, and effective programs and policies that are victim-centered, practice-based, and research-informed. Access conference information.
Back to Top
FROM THE FIELD
San Francisco SafeStart Initiative
The San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center has provided vital services to protect children and strengthen families in our community for more than three and half decades. Since 2007, the Center has served as the lead agency of the San Francisco SafeStart Initiative. The Center leads nine major agencies, including: UCSF Child Trauma Research Program; San Francisco Unified Family Court; SFPD Domestic Violence Response Unit; APA Family Support Services; Bayview TLC Family Resource Center; Compass Community Services; Homeless Prenatal Program; Instituto Familiar de la Raza; and OMI Family Resource Center.
SafeStart provides intensive case management for children ages birth-6 and their families at points-of-service across San Francisco, and provides trainings for diverse professionals. Many of the families SafeStart serves are struggling with poverty and the impact of the recession, domestic and community violence, depression, a parental history of child abuse and neglect, and substance abuse, among other challenges. The families using SafeStart come from varied ethnicities, neighborhoods, and socio-economic backgrounds. These families need access to support that can mitigate the impact of violence on young children, and increase understanding and confidence about parenting skills and child development.
SafeStart Family Advocates provided intensive case management to more than 200 families last year in four different languages. Also within the past year, SafeStart reached more than 600 parents, educators, and providers throughout the community. A recent analysis of our 2009 SafeStart data showed significantly positive outcomes for families – highlighting strengths in the areas of adult education and employment, basic needs, children's care and safety, children's education, community engagement, emotional and social health, and financial stability. Further, in aggregated data compiled from recent anonymous client satisfaction surveys at SafeStart points of service, 100% of respondents indicated that they were satisfied with services received; 90% thought the agency was conveniently located; 100% said that staff members were sensitive to their cultural background; and 90% reported that their children felt safer. One parent expressed gratitude for "day-to-day support through a very traumatic time, continuous therapy, advocacy when I wasn't able to advocate for myself… [SafeStart services] empowered me to be strong and that I was in control of our future. [My SafeStart Family Advocate] helped me see my responsibilities to my family." This is the type of service that we are proud to provide our city's next generation. For further information, please contact Kathy Baxter at kathy.baxter@sfcapc.org.
Back to Top
RESEARCH TO PRACTICE
Realizing the Promise of Home Visitation: Addressing Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment – A Guide for Policy Makers
Family Violence Prevention Fund, Avon Foundation, and Safe Start Center, 2010
In this guide, the authors outline best practices and offer recommendations for integrating domestic violence into existing programs. Topics include the link between domestic violence and child abuse, improving outcomes for children, training strategies, promising programs, and recommendations for policy and practice. A safety card is also available, with prompts for home visitors to improve discussions with women about the impact of domestic violence on their parenting and children. Access the guide.
Back to Top
FEATURED RESOURCES
Guide for Preventing and Responding to School Violence
Office of Justice Programs, U.S. DOJ and International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2009
In this new edition, the authors present strategies and approaches for school administrators, teachers, staff, students, families, communities, and law enforcement to consider when creating safer learning environments. Topics include prevention, assessment, crisis planning, crisis and post-crisis response. In addition to reducing violent events, potential benefits of these approaches include lowering rates of antisocial behavior, increasing the likelihood of identifying and treating troubled youth, improving the learning environment, and building community preparedness for all disasters. View the guide.
Back to Top
Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Problem-Specific Guides Series No. 12: Bullying in Schools
R. Sampson, 2009
In this guide, published by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice, the author provides information about bullying in schools and effective responses. Content includes extent and causes of the problem, questions to ask of the school administration, ways to measure effectiveness, common remedies that have proved ineffective, and guidelines for developing local solutions to problems. This is one of a series of guides to prevention and improving the response to incidents for police of all ranks. View the guide.
Back to Top
ONLINE RESOURCES/PUBLICATIONS
Trends in Childhood Violence and Abuse Exposure: Evidence From 2 National Surveys
Finkelhor, D., Hamby, S.L., Ormrod, R.K. and Turner, H.A., 2010
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 164 (3), p. 238-242
In this study, the authors assess trends in children's exposure to abuse, violence, and crime victimizations based on a comparison of 2 cross-sectional national telephone surveys conducted in 2003 and 2008. They identify declines in psychological and emotional abuse by caregivers, exposure to community violence, and theft. Physical abuse and neglect by caregivers did not decline, and witnessing the abuse of a sibling increased. View the article.
Back to Top
Sexual Victimization in Juvenile Facilities Reported by Youth, 2008-2009
Beck, A. J., Guerino, P., Harrison, P. M., 2010
In this report, published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the authors present data from the 2008-09 National Survey of Youth in Custody. About 12% of youth in state and large nonstate juvenile facilities reported experiencing one or more incidents of sexual victimization by facility staff or another youth in the past 12 months. View the report.
Back to Top
Indicators of School Crime and Safety
Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. DOJ and National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. DOE, 2009
In this annual report, the authors present current statistics on the nature of crime in schools and school environments, and responses to violence and crime at school. They also present interviews with students, teachers, and principals. Download the report.
Back to Top
Support for Students Exposed to Trauma: The SSET Program Group Leader Training - Manual, Lesson Plans, and Lesson Materials and Worksheets
Jaycox, L. et al, 2009
In this manual, published by RAND Corporation, the authors adapt the Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) manual designed for mental health workers for use by all school personnel. The adapted program was piloted in middle schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Contents are divided into three parts: a training manual for SSET leaders and other implementers, reproducible lesson plans, and lesson materials and worksheets. Download manual.
Back to Top
School-Based Programs to Reduce Bullying and Victimization
Farrington, D. P. and Ttofi, M. M., 2009
Anti-bullying programs in schools are often effective, according to this review published by the Campbell Collaboration of 89 programs described in journals between 1988 and 2009. Parent training/meetings and disciplinary methods were found to be the most successful program elements. One type of program was associated with an increase in victimization – work with peers, such as peer mediation and peer mentoring. Download the review.
Back to Top
Underperforming Schools and the Education of Vulnerable Children
Walker, L. and Smithgall, C., 2009
The authors of this brief, published by Chapin Hall, review the findings of studies of vulnerable children and public education. The findings highlight the importance of traumatic life experiences on learning and behavior, the frequent placement of these children in special education, and their poor educational outcomes. The authors propose innovations to improve underperforming schools and more effective ways to work with vulnerable children and youth. Download the brief.
Back to Top
Domino Effect: Domestic Violence Harms Everyone's Children
Casey Family Programs, 2009
This fact sheet provides data on challenges and opportunities that immigration currently presents for child welfare systems. Topics include demographics, immigrant children in child welfare, and practice and policy implications. View the article.
Back to Top
Improving Safety, Reducing Harm: Children, Young People and Domestic Violence - A Practical Toolkit for Front-Line Practitioners
Department of Health, London, England, 2009
In this toolkit, the authors provide information to improve responses to a range of issues including child protection, domestic violence, bullying, sexual violence, and gangs. Topics include an overview of Canadian policy, tiers of intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, guidance for schools, and sample forms. Download the toolkit.
Back to Top
The State of City Leadership for Children and Families
National League of Cities, 2009
The authors of this report describe 32 cutting-edge strategies used by city governments to strengthen families and improve outcomes for children and youth. Topics include early childhood, education, afterschool, youth in transition, youth violence prevention, and family economic success. Each chapter includes innovations, emerging trends and established trends. Download the report.
Back to Top
Scope, Scale, and Sustainability: What It Takes to Create Lasting Community Change
The Foundation Review, 1 (1), p. 96-114
In this article, published by Community Science and NeighborWorks America, the authors examine success factors of 11 community change initiatives that achieved and sustained positive impacts over time. The authors link long-term positive impacts to changes in institutions' policies and practices and development of new strategies that address root causes of social problems. Download the article.
Back to Top
Treating Traumatized Immigrant and Refugee Youth
Ellis, B. H., 2009
In this Webinar presentation, published by Harvard University Children's Hospital Center for Refugee Trauma and Resilience, the author presents a socio-ecological model of trauma and the continuum of care provided by the community. The project is a partnership between mental health providers, schools, and Somali community agencies and families. View the presentation.
Back to Top
State Fact Sheets on Child Welfare Funding
Center for Law and Social Policy and Children's Defense Fund, 2010
These fact sheets help policymakers, advocates, and the public better understand the complex financing structure of child welfare services in the states. The goal is to enable these groups to work effectively toward national, state and local reforms. View the State fact sheets.
Back to Top
Extending Home Visiting to Kinship Caregivers and Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers
Hoffman, E. and Perrin, T.C, 2009
In this report, published by the Center for Law and Social Policy, the authors explore the ways home visiting programs are serving children in kinship and family friend care. Topics include considerations for implementation; curricula, staffing, and service referral; and recommendations for states and federal government. Download the report.
Back to Top
The TANF Emergency Fund: A New Resource for Domestic Violence Programs
Lower-Basch, E., 2009
The author of this paper, published by the Center for Law and Social Policy, explains how the 2009 TANF Emergency Fund can provide victims of domestic violence with financial and in-kind services. The fund can be used to provide families and children with ongoing cash assistance or short-term benefits, such as emergency shelter, medical treatment, counseling, and relocation assistance. Download the paper.
Back to Top
Supporting Parents of Young Children in the Child Welfare System
Backmann, K., Knitzer, J. A., Cooper, J. L., and Dicker, S., 2010
The authors of this report, published by the National Center for Children in Poverty, explore the research on parent training. They propose strategies for effective programs and discuss strategies for changing policy and practice. The report is based on an emerging issues roundtable conducted in July 2007. Download the report.
Back to Top
Why It Matters: Rethinking Victim Assistance for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Victims of Hate Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
Center for Victims of Crime and the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 2010
The authors describe the results of a 2009 nationwide survey of victim assistance providers and anti-violence programs serving the LGBTQ community. They identify widespread gaps in victim services, including deficiencies in outreach, training, services, and reporting of violent incidences, and recommend strategies for improving services and accessibility. Download the report.
Back to Top
Reaching and Serving Teen Victims
Whitman, J. and Joyce, E., 2010
The authors of this guidebook, published by the National Center for Victims of Crime, provide tools to help victim services providers understand and meet the needs of adolescent victims. Topics include victim services and youth development, impact of victimization on adolescents, assessing the extent of victimization, and strategies to improve services. Download the guidebook.
Back to Top
Better Outcomes for Infants and Toddlers: Judicial Survey on Infants and Toddlers and the Dependency Court System, Summary of Findings Report
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 2009
The authors of this technical assistance brief report the results of a survey to determine the extent of judges' knowledge about infant development. Topics include barriers judges face in taking action, promising practices, and ways judges can expand opportunities for this population. Download the brief.
Back to Top
Parenting Infants and Toddlers Today
Zero to Three, 2010
In 2009, the authors surveyed 1,615 parents of children birth to three about their childrearing practices, and gaps in services and supports. Key findings include parents' overestimation of infants and toddlers' emotional control, parents reliance on grandparents, importance of clergy, and need for outreach to fathers. Access the report.
Back to Top
Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development
Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2009
The authors of this issue brief provide basic information on brain development and the effects of abuse and neglect. Topics include how the brain develops, effects of maltreatment on development, and implications for practice and policy. Download the brief.
Back to Top
RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN SPANISH
Caja de Herramientas Para Educadores Para el Manejo de Trauma Infantil
National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2009
This is the Spanish version of the Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators. Contents include trauma facts for educators, a guide for parents, psychological and behavioral impact of trauma at different ages, self-care and suggestions for educators, and a DVD about students and trauma. Download or order the toolkit.
Back to Top
RELATED LINKS
Back to Top
CONTACT US
We invite your comments and suggestions. Please contact us at info@safestartcenter.org or 1-800-865-0965.
Subscribing/Unsubscribing:
To subscribe or unsubscribe to the Safe Start Center e-Newsletter, please send an e-mail to info@safestartcenter.org. Write "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" in the subject line. Or subscribe online at www.safestartcenter.org.
To view previous issues of the Safe Start e-Newsletter, visit http://www.safestartcenter.org/about/enewsletter.php
The Safe Start Center e-Newsletter is distributed by the Safe Start Center under Contract No. GS-10F-0285K with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Information and points of view in this newsletter do not imply endorsement by OJJDP, OJP, DOJ, or the Safe Start Center.
Back to Top |
