Mental Health
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.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network, January 2009
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.
Banyard, V.L. and Williams, L.M., The Prevention Researcher, 14 (2), 2007, p. 6-10
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.
Pilowsky, D.J., Keyes, K.M., Hasin, D.S., American Journal of Public Health, 99 (2), 2009, p. 258-263
Using data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, the authors investigate the association between adverse events in childhood and adolescence and lifetime alcohol dependence in a representative sample of American adults. They conclude that individuals who experienced 2 or more adverse childhood events are at increased risk for lifetime alcohol dependence.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2004
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.
La Vigne, N., Davies, E., Brazzell, D., 2008
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.
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 57 (1), Winter 2006
In this special issue, written in collaboration with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, the authors examine child trauma as it affects both dependency and delinquency issues that come before the court. Topics include the impact of trauma on child development, pathways from child maltreatment to delinquency and the role of the family court judge, trauma-informed custody decisions, supporting children in the child welfare and juvenile court systems, trauma interventions and systems change in rural areas.
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 59 (4) Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 2008
This special issue, written in collaboration with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, builds on the 2006 special issue on Child Trauma. In both issues, the authors focus on the impact that trauma has on children and families, and how trauma affects the experience of children and youth who come before the court. Topics include a systems integration approach to helping children heal from trauma, a court response to children who have been traumatized, best practices, obtaining information from children, and how to maintain emotional health while working with trauma.
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.
Groves, B.M., 2002, New York: Beacon Press
Litton, L.J., 2006
Jaffe, P.G., Crooks, C.V., Poisson, S.E., Juvenile and Family Court Journal, Fall 2003, p. 57-68
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.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
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.
R. P. Barth, A. A. Scarborough, E. C. Lloyd, J. L. Losby, C. Casanueva, T. Mann, 2008
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.
Lieberman, A. and Van Horn, P., 2005
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.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2009
National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2005
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.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2005
Arean, J.C., 2008
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.
Office of Justice Programs, U.S. DOJ and International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2009
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.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2009
National Center for Children in Poverty, 2009
The authors of this bulletin drew on Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other data to provide a statistical portrait of juvenile homicide victimization. Topics include overall patterns, victim age groups, specific types of juvenile homicide victimization, and prevention methods.
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.
Groves, B.M., Augustyn, B., Lee, D., Sawres, P., 2004
Johnson, K. and Rosenthal, J., 2009
Department of Health, London, England, 2009
Perry, D.F. and Kauffman, R.K., 2009
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.
Finkelhor,D., Ormrod, R., Chaffin, M., Juvenile Justice Bulletin, 2009
Child Witness to Violence Project and Boston Police Department
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 2008
Israel, N., Hodges, S., Ferreira, K., Mazza, J., 2007
The Greenbook Initiative, 2008
Birman, D., Ho, J., Pulley, E.,Batia, K., Everson, M.L., Ellis, H., Betancourt, T.S., Gonzalez, A, 2005
Virginia Child Protection Newsletter, 2009
Cohen, E., Protecting Children, 22 (2), 2007, p. 55-66
Family Violence Prevention Fund, 2004
assessing and responding to domestic violence in child health settings. The information is divided into four parts: 1)
overview of the impact of domestic violence on children and adolescents; 2) dilemmas that providers may encounter in discussing domestic violence with parents; 3) guidelines for inquiry and response; and 4) recommendations for creating a clinical environment that effectively responds to domestic violence.
Zero to Three, 2010
The authors of this handbook, published by the California Department of Social Services, offer guidance to communities to work strategically across disciplines, systems and jurisdictions to promote thriving children, families and communities. Topics include strategic planning methods, progress indicators, effective implementation, connecting action and results, and evaluating effectiveness.
Knitzer, J., 2000
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.
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.
Cohen, E. and Walthall, B., 2003
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.
Cohen, E.
J. D. Ford, J. F. Chapman, J. Hawke, D. Albert, Research and Program Brief, June 2007
In this paper, the authors discuss the prevalence and impact of trauma and traumatic stress among youth in the juvenile justice system and emerging responses. Topics include the impact of trauma on youth, addressing trauma among youth in the juvenile justice system, and implementing trauma services.
Malik, N., Heller, S., Chazar-Cohen, R.
Ellis, B.H., 2009
Burns, B.J., Howell, J.C., Wiig, J.K., Leena, K.A., Brendan, C.W., Loeber, R., Petechuk D., Child Delinquency Bulletin Series, March 2003
The authors describe and assess juvenile justice system programs for very young offenders. Topics include four promising programs, a model for comprehensive interventions, and an examination of the Canadian approach to child delinquency.
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.
Cohen, E., Groves, B.M., Kracke, K., 2009
Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2009
Davies, E., Brazzell, D., La Vigne, N., Shollenberger, T., 2008
Urban Institute researchers collaborated with Big Brothers, Big Sisters organizations in Baltimore, Milwaukee, and Washington, D.C. to conduct focus groups with the mentors of children whose parents are incarcerated. Topics include the children's living situations, relationships with parents, and emotional and behavioral outcomes. Findings indicate considerable variation between children with incarcerated mothers and those with incarcerated fathers.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Gorin, S., 2004
National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2004
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.
Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System, Ontario, Canada, 2006
This study is a collaborative effort of the London Police Service and the Centre for Children and Family's Child Witness Project. Researchers reviewed hundred of case files from a three-year period, and interviewed 17 young people (and their parents) who experienced or witnessed peer violence. The authors describe the key findings of this study, from the decision by a young victim to report the crime through to sentencing in court. The report includes recommendations for schools, police, prosecutors, and those who help young witnesses prepare for court.
Center for Victims of Crime and the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 2010
