Prevention
Chadwick Center for Children and Families, 2008
This document is a resource for service providers who work with Latino families who have experienced traumatic events. The authors cover 12 policy areas, including assessment, therapy, organizational competence, and policy, with an overview of issues, recommendations for improving practice, and resources for each area.
Osofsky, J.D., Action Plan Update, October 2001
The authors of this report summarize the accomplishments of the Federal Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in breaking the cycle of violence. Topics include data on victimization trends, effective and promising strategies, and Federal programs since 1996.
O'Keefe, M. and Lebovics, S., The Prevention Researcher, 12 (1), 2005, p. 3-7
The authors of this article discuss common reactions by adolescents who witness interparental violence and some of the ways in which exposure may impede their development. Compared to youth from non-violent homes, adolescent witnesses have higher rates of aggression, more fatalistic views of the future, and increased risk for delinquency, school truancy and other risky behaviors.
Sowers, K.M. and Rowe, W., Special Issue on Children, Violence and Mental Health, 4 (1), 2008
In this issue, the authors discuss research findings from the five year national process and outcome evaluation of the Safe Start Demonstration communities, and from innovative research projects designed and executed by six demonstration sites. Topics include service recommendations, building resiliency, crisis intervention for exposure to intimate partner violence, role of law enforcement and other service sectors, and recommendations for mental health systems.
Mihalic, S., Fagan, A., Irwin, K., Ballard, D., Elliott, D., Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Report, 2004
After reviewing more than 600 programs, the Blueprints initiative identified 11 model programs and 21 promising programs that prevent violence and drug use and treat youth with problem behaviors. In this report, published by the University of Colorado Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, the authors include lessons learned from the Blueprints program implementation and recommendations for program designers and funders.
Family Violence Prevention Fund
The authors of this online curriculum provide resources to help batterer intervention programs help fathers who have perpetrated family violence relate to their children in positive ways. Topics include background information, cultural and parenting issues, staff training activities, evaluations of pilot programs, exercises on empathy, modeling, and the reparative process, personal stories, downloadable guides, and other tools. Available in English and Spanish.
Sampson, R., Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Problem-Specific Guides Series No. 12, 2009
In this guide, published by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 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 ineffective remedies, and guidelines for developing local solutions.
Thornberry, T.P., Huizinga, D., Loeber, R., Wyrick, P.A., Howell, J.C., Chibnall, S.H., Abbruzzese, K., Juvenile Justice, September 2004
The authors of this issue summarize empirical findings of three longitudinal studies on the causes and correlates of juvenile delinquency and the research addressing youth gangs. Topics include key risk factors (child maltreatment and gangs), and a framework for a risk-based response to youth gangs.
Loeber, R., Farrington, D.P., Petechuk, D., Child Delinquency Bulletin Series, May 2003
The authors of this Bulletin present information about delinquent offenders under the age of 13. Topics include risk factors for developing delinquent attitudes and behaviors in later childhood, promising intervention and prevention programs, and policy recommendations.
Bragg, H.L., 2003
In this practice manual, published by the Children's Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the author provides concrete strategies for identifying and responding to situations in which children are exposed to domestic violence. Topics include information about the overlap between child maltreatment and domestic violence, conducting an initial screening, practice guidelines for family assessment, practice modifications, enhancing safety, and building collaborative responses.
Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health, Focal Point: Research, Policy, and Practice in Children's Mental Health: Traumatic Stress/Child Welfare, 21 (1), Winter 2007, p. 27-30
The authors of this article argue that public policy decisions play a pivotal role in prevention, service, and treatment efforts for children who have been affected by traumatic events, and that good public policy requires strong collaborative relationships among policy leaders, affected families, and all those who work with traumatized children. Topics include need for information at the systems level, policy implications, and current policy issues.
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2002
The authors of this information packet provide an introduction to the issue of children's exposure to intimate partner violence. Topics include effects of intimate partner violence on children, co-occurrence of intimate partner violence and child abuse, parenting practices of victims and perpetrators, collaborations between domestic violence and child protection agencies, effective interventions, and resources.
Vuong, L., Silva, F., Marchionna, S., Focus, 2009
The authors of this article review the research through 2007 about the types of violence and the effects on children and what programs might mitigate the trauma in both the short and long term. They include a list of promising prevention and intervention programs to break the cycle of violence.
Cook, A., Spinazzola, J. Ford, J., Lanktree, C., Blaustein, M. Cloitre, M., DeRosa, R., Hubbard, R, Kagan, R., Liautaud, J., Mallah, K., Olafson, E., van der Kolk, B., Psychiatric Annals - Special Issue on Child Complex Trauma, 2005, p. 390-398
In this paper, published by the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute, the authors argue that complex trauma exposure results in a loss of core capacities for self-regulation and interpersonal relatedness, placing children at greater risk for additional trauma exposure and cumulative impairment. Contents include a theoretical framework, assessment issues, and intervention models.
Family Violence Prevention Fund, 2009
The authors developed this three-hour curriculum, Power Point presentation and related tools for use in child welfare settings with foster parents, kin caregivers, and adoptive parents with all levels of experience in caring for children who have been exposed to domestic violence. Topics include a basic training session on the dynamics of domestic violence, the impact of exposure to domestic violence on children, and strategies for supporting children.
Finkelhor, D. and Ormrod, R., Juvenile Justice Bulletin, September 2001
The authors of this report draw on the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) to provide data on the frequency and nature of crimes against children committed by babysitters. Topics include incidence, likelihood of causing child injury, and recommended precautions.
Martinez, K.and Van Buren, E., 2008
The authors of this guide provide a compendium of knowledge and experience gained since the late 1990s for delivering culturally and linguistically competent evidence-based services in mental health systems of care and other human service agencies. Topics include strategies, best practice examples, resources, and performance indicators for government, service systems, planning/quality improvement, and collaboration and community outreach.
Maze, C., Aaron, S.M., Lederman, C.S., 2005
In this handbook, published by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the authors describe the development, implementation, and lessons learned by an initiative to address co-occurring domestic violence and child maltreatment in a dependency court setting. Contents include the creation of the program, a comprehensive review of daily operations and interventions, and the value of domestic violence advocacy in dependency court.
Schechter, S.(Ed.), 2004
In this series of 6 papers, published by the University of Iowa School of Social Work, the authors address the challenge of mobilizing community and programmatic resources to provide responsive help to young children and families affected by both domestic violence and poverty. They provide practical guidance for pediatric health care professionals, childcare providers, family support workers, community police officers, and domestic violence advocates, in order to help families find safety and stability and prevent families and children from encounters with child protective services and the courts.
B. Groves, 2007
Focal Point: Research, Policy, and Practice in Children's Mental Health, 21, (1) Winter (Special Issue on Traumatic Stress/Child Welfare), p. 16-18
This issue of Focal Point is devoted to child traumatic stress, particularly as it is found among children and adolescents involved with the child welfare system, and examines current knowledge about the most effective treatments. Articles include Traumatic Stress and the Child Welfare System, Evidence-Based Treatment for Children in Child Welfare, and Early Intervention as Prevention: Addressing Trauma in Young Children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, (56) August 10, 2007
The authors report the recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services, which in 2004-2006 conducted a systematic review of published scientific evidence and concluded that universal school-based programs decrease rates of violence and aggressive behavior among school-aged children at all levels. Topics include background, method, results, and use of the recommendations in schools and communities.
Finkelhor, D. and Jones, L.M., Juvenile Justice Bulletin, January 2004
The authors of this report discuss six plausible explanations for the decline in sexual abuse cases: (1) increasing conservatism within child protective service; (2) exclusion of cases that do not involve caretakers; (3) changes in CPS data collection methods; (4) less reporting to CPS; (5) a diminishing reservoir of older cases; and (6) a real decline in the incidence of sexual abuse.
Youcha, V.,Hudson, L., and Rappaport, D.M.,The Baby Monitor: Zero To Three Policy and Advocacy News, April 3, 2006
In this issue, the authors describe Court Teams for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers, a pilot project launched in three communities in 2005. Participating judges partner with a child development specialist to create a team of child welfare and health professionals, child advocates and community leaders who provide services to abused and neglected infants and toddlers.
M. Deitch, M., Barstow, A., Lukens, L., Reyna, R., 2009
In this report from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, the authors argue that children under the age of 12 do not belong in the adult criminal justice system, regardless of the seriousness of their offense. Topics include differences in brain function of children and adults, lack of programming for children in the adult criminal justice system, suitability of the juvenile justice system for preadolescent offenders, and recommendations for policy-makers.
Litton, L., 2007
In this Guide, published by the St. Louis County Greenbook Initiative, a coalition of the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Court of St. Louis County, and other key partners, the authors analyze current policies and procedures in co-occurrence cases and ways to address existing challenges. The Guide is intended to serve as a framework to assist attorneys, judges, social service providers, and volunteers working with families in co-occurrence cases.
Rice, K.F. and Groves, B.M., 2002
The authors of this book provide a guide for early childhood professionals who care for children in a variety of early care and education settings. Topics include how trauma affects children's physical and social-emotional development, building caring relationships for children, creating safe environments, talking about sensitive issues with families, working with other agencies, reporting abuse and neglect, and print, Web, and organization resources for families and early childhood professionals.
Lauritsen, J.L., Juvenile Justice Bulletin, November 2003
In this issue, the author uses data extracted from the National Crime Victimization Survey to explore trends in violent victimization among youth, ages 12-17. Results reveal that youth who live in single-parent homes are at significantly higher risk for violence than their counterparts who live in two-parent homes, and have three times the risk for violent victimization than the average American.
Alksnis, C., and Taylor, J., 2007
In this review of the research literature, the authors critique studies pertaining to the extent of intergenerational transmission of child physical abuse and wife battering from 1989 to 2007. Topics include research design, methodological problems, and a review of studies focusing on family violence among Canadian offenders.
Bureau of Justice Statistics and National Center for Education Statistics, 2009
In this annual report, the authors present current statistics on the nature of crime and responses to violence in schools and school environments.Contents include interviews with students, teachers, and principals.
Taylor, C.A., Guterman, N.B., Lee, S.J., Rathouz, P.J., American Journal of Public Health, 99 (1), 2009, p. 175-183
The authors examine the associations of intimate partner violence (IPV) and maternal risk factors for child maltreatment risk within a diverse sample of mothers from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study. In the year before the study, about 40% of the mothers had experienced IPV by their current partners, and many reported acts of psychological and physical aggression or neglect against their 3-year-old children. The authors conclude that further integration of IPV and child maltreatment prevention and intervention efforts is warranted.
California Research Bureau, 2007
In this report, the authors review the work of four California communities that have developed protocols to coordinate the response by child welfare services and law enforcement when parents are arrested. These communities experienced lower trauma rates, fewer children taken into formal custody by child welfare, lower child welfare costs, and increased good will between law enforcement, parents, and the community.
Cronin, R., Gragg, F., Schultz, D., Eisen, K., Juvenile Justice Bulletin, November 2006
The Safe Kids/Safe Streets initiative represents a comprehensive approach, building broad-based collaboratives focusing on child abuse and neglect issues in five very different communities. The authors of this bulletin, published by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, summarize the findings from an evaluation of the program sites focusing on collaboration building, systems reform, service options, and other strategies.
Cunningham, A., and Baker, L., 2007
In this booklet, published by the Center for Children and Families in the Justice System, Ontario, Canada, the authors explain how children experience violence against their mothers and how those experiences may affect their development from infancy to adolescence. Contents include ten ways a child can be changed by living with violence at home, and some myths about abuse against woman and children.
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 2003
This directory provides a state-by-state listing of Native American contact and resource information, including comprehensive listings of recognized tribes and Alaskan villages.
Robison, S., 2007
In this report, published by the California Department of Social Services, the author outlines strategies for state legislators to raise public awareness of the court's role in the lives of vulnerable children and families, and strengthen the collaboration between courts and the child welfare system. Topics include the role of the courts, a child's journey through the child welfare system, opportunities for collaboration, and examples of legislative action taken at the State level.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network, Culture and Trauma Brief, 1 (1), 2005
The authors of this study report on data collected on 1,330 majority racial/ethnic minority or refugee children between the ages of 15-18 with public or no insurance across the United States, as of November 2005. Their ;data indicate that there are significant differences between racial, ethnic, and refugee/nonrefugee groups on lifetime exposure to trauma for at least 9 different trauma types.
Finkelhor, D. and Ormrod, R., Juvenile Justice Bulletin, June 2004
The authors report that police are more likely to categorize juveniles involved in prostitution as offenders rather than crime victims. They recommend that law enforcement agencies and policymakers engage in analysis, planning, and coordination regarding how to respond to and record episodes of juvenile prostitution.
Pope, C.E. and Snyder, H.N., Juvenile Justice Bulletin, April 2003
The authors of this bulletin examine data from the FBI’s 1997 and 1998 National Incident-Based Reporting System, which include law enforcement data from 17 States. Topics include a review of the literature about the effects of race on juvenile justice decision-making, and an examination of the number and race of suspects who are arrested.
National Center for Children in Poverty, 2007
Research shows that many disparities in health and well-being are rooted in early childhood. These disparities reflect gaps in access to services, unequal treatment, adverse congenital health conditions, and exposures to elevated community and family risks. In this brief, the authors summarize the issue, describe relevant research, and recommend strategies for state early childhood systems to improve their services and reduce disparities.
Portune, L., Gatowski, S. Dobbin, S., 2009
First published by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges in 1995, the Resource Guidelines focuses on judicial leadership in judicial reform, and best practices in the handling of child abuse and neglect cases. The 2009 publication provides an overview of the genesis of the original Resource Guidelines and how that publication is being used to support and guide court and systems reform across the nation. Topics include foundational principles for juvenile and family court judges, best practice for cross-system collaborations, and research-based evaluations of court practice and outcomes.
Family Communications
This training kit was designed to help caregivers and early childhood teachers work with children exposed to violence and help them feel safer. The contents include a 100-page manual, three videos, workshop materials for ten hours of training, and English and Spanish handouts.
Safe Start Center, 2008
Small, M., Tetrick, K.D., Pollack, I., Sundermann, C., Crawford, D.K., Bodine, R.J., Juvenile Justice, June 2001
In this journal, the authors examine the extent and nature of school violence and review promising approaches to creating safe schools and resolving conflicts peacefully. They discuss 10 essential components of safe school planning, including creating school-wide prevention and intervention strategies, emergency response planning, understanding legal considerations, and creating a positive school climate.
D. A. Wolfe, C. Crooks, P. Jaffe, D. Chiodo, R. Hughes, W. Ellis, L. Stitt, A. Donner, 2009
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 163 (8), p. 692-699
Farmington, D.P. and Ttofi, M.M., 2009
In this review of 89 programs, published by the Campbell Collaboration, the authors report that anti-bullying programs in schools are often effective. Parent training/meetings and disciplinary methods were found to be the most successful program elements. Work with peers, such as peer mediation, was associated with an increase in victimization.
Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University, 2007
The authors of this publication present scientific findings about the development of brain architecture in very young children, and combine these findings with 4 decades of program evaluation research. They identify program features that appear to lead to positive outcomes for children.
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. They link long-term positive impacts to changes in institutions' policies and practices and development of new strategies that address root causes of social problems.
Zero to Three, 2009
Infants and toddlers, who are the largest single group of children entering foster care, are extremely vulnerable to the effects of maltreatment and multiple placements. Topics include facts, policy recommendations, and a summary of the research.
Cooper, J.L., Masi, R., Vick, J., 2009
This brief, published by the National Center for Children in Poverty, outlines the risks faced by young children with social, emotional, and behavioral problems in the foster care system. Topics include the needs of young children, family environmental risk factors, the influence of race and ethnicity, practice barriers, and policy recommendations.
National League of Cities, 2009
The authors of this report describe 32 strategies used by city governments to strengthen families and improve outcomes for children and youth. Topics include early childhood, after school, youth violence prevention, and family economic success.
Mihalic, S., Irwin, K., Fagan, A., Ballard, D., Elliott, D., 2004
Juvenile Justice Bulletin, Office of Justice Programs, July Issue
Based on the findings of the Blueprints process evaluation, the authors of this report advise that a successful initiative requires a community assessment, a commitment of shared goals and resources, administrative support, agency stability, and interagency links.
Jaycox, L.H., Langley, A.K., Dean, K.L., 2009
In this manual, published by RAND Corporation, the authors adapt the Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) manual for use by all school personnel. Contents are divided into three parts: a training manual for SSET leaders and other implementers, reproducible lesson plans, and lesson materials and worksheets.
Hill, R., 2006
In this paper, the author summarizes findings of studies on racial and ethnic inequalities in the child welfare system, focusing on inequities between African-American and Caucasian children. According to the author, race was identified as one of the primary determinants in decisions made by child protective services at the stages of reporting, investigation, substantiation, placement, and exit from care, and a disproportionate number of African-American children are removed from their homes when child abuse and neglect are reported. Once under state-mandated care, inequalities exist in treatment and services offered.
Lyles, A., 2009
The author of this brief, published by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, outlines promising local prevention strategies and policy changes to prevent child sexual abuse. Effective strategies are designed to shift social and cultural norms that increase the likelihood of child sexual abuse and exploitation and provide staff training focused on developmentally appropriate sexuality and sexual behavior.
Hennessey,M., Ford, J.D., Mahoney, K., Ko, S.J., Seigfried, C.B., 2004
In this paper, published by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, the authors review studies showing that among those who are exposed to trauma, females are more likely than males to develop mental health problems. Topics include prevalence and descriptive statistics, potential consequences of trauma, impact of processing in the juvenile justice system, and need for gender specific programming.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2008
Written for educators, this toolkit provides facts about trauma, manifestations of trauma and traumatic grief, and psychological and behavioral impact of trauma for children in preschool through high school. Topics include trauma facts for educators, a guide for parents, child traumatic grief, action steps for educators in crisis situations, self-care for educators, and a DVD about students and trauma.
Finkelhor, D., Hamby, S.L., Ormrod, R.K. and Turner, H.A., Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 164 (3), 2010, 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. Declines occurred in psychological and emotional abuse by caregivers, exposure to community violence, and theft. Physical abuse by caregivers was unchanged.
Walker, L. and Smithgall, C., 2009
The authors of this brief, published by Chapin Hall, highlight the importance of traumatic life experiences on learning and behavior, frequent placement in special education, and poor educational outcomes. They propose more effective ways to work with vulnerable children and youth.
McCurley, C. and Snyder, H.N., Juvenile Justice Bulletin, July 2004
The authors of this report present data on victims of violent juvenile crime obtained from the National Incident-Based Reporting System for 1997 and 1998. Nineteen percent of the victims of nonfatal violent crimes were victimized by a juvenile offender, and most victims were juveniles, and nearly all victims know the offender.
Cunningham, A. and Baker, L., 2004
In this study, published by the Center for Children and Families in the Justice System, Ontario, Canada, the authors review the literature on child exposure to domestic violence. They provide a framework for understanding, studying and intervening with children who have lived with women who have been abused, with case studies and children's drawings.
