Child Welfare

Adaptation Guidelines for Serving Latino Children and Families Affected by Trauma

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.

Adapting Evidence-Based Treatments for Use with American Indian and Native Alaskan Children and Youth
Bigfoot, D.S. and Braden, J., Focal Point: Research, Policy, and Practice in Children's Mental Health: Traumatic Stress/Child Welfare, 21, (1) Winter 2007, p. 19-22

The authors provide an overview of trauma experiences of American Indian and Native Alaskan children, and ways to incorporate Native culture into service systems. Topics include nature of the problem, service needs, honoring children, and successful adaptations of evidence-based programs.

Adolescent Survivors of Sexual Abuse: Developmental Outcomes

Banyard, V.L. and Williams, L.M., The Prevention Researcher, 14 (2), 2007, p. 6-10

Using an ecological framework, the authors review key factors which put adolescent survivors of sexual abuse at risk for negative outcomes and discuss resources which might enhance positive outcomes and recovery. The authors include vignettes from the lives of women who experienced sexual abuse during their youth to highlight opportunities for positive recovery.
Adverse Childhood Events and Lifetime Alcohol Dependence

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.

African American Children in Foster Care

U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2007

In this report, the authors find that the higher rate of poverty and longer stays in foster care are major factors influencing the disportionate representation of African American children in foster care, and also cite “bias or cultural misunderstandings and distrust between the child welfare decision makers and the families they serve.” Topics include promising practices, influence of federal policies, and recommendations for federal subsidies to legal guardians and more active involvement of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in addressing this situation.
Best Practices in Mental Health: An International Journal

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.

Breaking the Cycle: Fathering After Violence: Curriculum Guidelines and Tools for Batterer Intervention Programs

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.

Caring Dads: Helping Fathers Value Their Children (training manual)

Scott, K., Francis, K., Crooks, C., Kelly, T., 2006

The authors of this manual offer a 17-session program aimed at helping men who have maltreated their children or exposed them to domestic violence. This program draws from best practices in the fields of batterer intervention, parenting, child maltreatment, behavior change, and working with resistant clients. Designed for use by both novice and experienced service providers, the program is organized around four therapeutic goals: engaging men; building positive parenting; recognizing and countering abuse; and rebuilding trust with children.
Child and Family Service Review Outcomes: Strategies to Improve Domestic Violence Responses in CFSR Program Improvement Plans

Taggart, S., 2009

In this guide, published by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the authors provide strategies for developing effective Program Improvement Plans (PIPs) to achieve safety, permanency, and well-being in domestic violence cases, and to identify technical assistance needs. Topics include current research on the differential impact of exposure to domestic violence on children, potential PIP strategies, process and practice measures, indicators, and system factors.

Child Exposure to Domestic Violence (CEDV) Scale

Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse, 2007

This is a measure to directly monitor child exposure and involvement in adult domestic violence events. The tool is designed for children ages 10-16. Materials include the scale, a 55-page User Manual, articles about assesing child exposure and the development of the measure, and other supporting materials.

Child Protection in Families Experiencing Domestic Violence: User Manual Series

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.

Child Trauma

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.

Child Trauma – II

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.

Child Trauma: The Role of Public Policy

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.

Child Welfare Services with Families Experiencing Family Violence: Participant Guide

Georgia State Department of Human Resources, 2007

In this training manual, the authors focus on practical applications of knowledge about the co-occurrence of family violence and child abuse. Topics include addressing denial, lethality assessment, child and perpetrator assessment of domestic violence, family safety plans for children and survivors. The training are based on Georgia statutes, but can be adapted to other States.
Child Welfare Trauma Training Toolkit: Trainer's Guide

National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2008

This guide is designed to teach basic knowledge, skills, and values for supporting the safety, permanency, and well-being of children who are in the child welfare system and who have experienced traumatic stress. The toolkit provides cases analyses in seven modules totaling approximately 12 training hours. Topics include an introduction to child traumatic stress, impacts on behavior, assessment, supporting the child, family, and caregiver, managing professional stress, and appendices with supplemental materials.

Children Exposed to Violence: Views from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency

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.

Co-occurrence of Child Abuse/Neglect and Domestic Violence: Guide for New Hampshire Court Appointed Special Advocates

Litton, L.J., 2006

This Guide, published by the Grafton County Greenbook Project, is intended to be a starting point to acquaint CASA volunteers with the issues involved in co-occurrence. Contents include an overview of the issues, role of CASA volunteers, myths and realities, tactics of batterers, decision making and protective strategies of parents who experience domestic violence, speaking with family members, safety planning, and resources for the family.
Common Misconceptions in Addressing Domestic Violence in Child Custody Disputes

Jaffe, P.G., Crooks, C.V., Poisson, S.E., Juvenile and Family Court Journal, Fall 2003, p. 57-68

The authors of this article address misconceptions about the extent and impact of domestic violence in child custody proceedings. Topics include gaps between the intended vision of recent legislative reforms and the reality for survivors and children, common misconceptions accompanied by interviews with mothers and practical implications and promising practices associated with each issue.
Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention: Evaluation Toolkit & Outcome Indicators (online resource)

National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention

The Evaluation Toolkit was developed to assist family support and child abuse prevention programs conduct meaningful evaluations of their services and demonstrate their effectiveness and efficiency. Components include building an evaluation plan, logic model builder, outcomes and indicators, and annotated measurement tools.
Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents

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.

Connect: Supporting Children Exposed to Domestic Violence - In-service Training for Resource Families. A Trainer's Guide & Tools

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.

Consequences of Childhood Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence

Emery, C.R., 2006

In this review, published by the National Institute of Justice, the author examines the research literature from 1984 to 2004 on the effects of domestic violence exposure on children. The author finds that such exposure significantly predicts externalizing and internalizing behavior, total behavior problems, and use of alcohol among children. Promising treatment approaches include those designed to reduce anxiety, treat acute and post-traumatic stress disorder, improve the parent-child relationship, and teach parenting skills.
Cops, Kids, and Domestic Violence - Police Training (video)

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

This is a CD-ROM-based training on the impact of domestic violence on children developed for law enforcement. The training presents a "typical" domestic violence scene to which law enforcement officers are called to respond. NCTSN also provides print materials on school and community violence, complex trauma, and child abuse and neglect.
Creating Trauma-Informed Child-Serving Systems

National Child Traumatic Stress Network, Service System Brief, 1 (1), July 2007

The authors of this brief provide a guide for integrating trauma-focused information into systems and promoting strong collaborations among systems and disciplines. Topics include increasing skills for identifying and triaging traumatized children, gaps in knowledge or practice in specific systems, steps for promoting trauma-based services, and  resources. 
Crimes Against Children by Babysitters

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.

Cultural and Linguistic Competence: Implementation Guide

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.

 

Developmental Status and Early Intervention Service Needs of Maltreated Children

R. P. Barth, A. A. Scarborough, E. C. Lloyd, J. L. Losby, C. Casanueva, T. Mann, 2008

In this report, published by the Institute for Social and Economic Development, the authors analyze findings from the National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study and the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. They provide information about the developmental status and early intervention service needs of children under age three who are substantiated for maltreatment. Topics include: 1) the extent to which maltreated children have developmental problems or are subject to factors associated with poor developmental outcomes; 2) the services maltreated children might be eligible for and ones they receive through the child welfare systems; 3) case characteristics, such as child welfare setting, that impact the effect of developmental services; and 4) existing barriers to services.
Domestic Violence Advocacy in Dependency Court: The Miami-Dade Dependency Court Intervention Program for Family Violence Handbook

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.

Early Intervention as Prevention: Addressing Trauma in Young Children

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.

 

Effectiveness of Universal School-Based Programs for the Prevention of Violent and Aggressive Behavior

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.

 

Effects of Trauma on Schools and Learning

National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2009

The authors describe the range of events and experiences that can place children at risk for psychological trauma in school settings, and provide an overview of the affects on studens and recommended actions by school personnel. Topics include the defintion of a traumatic event, effects on students by age level, affects of trauma on the ability to learn, and strategies for readiness, response and recovery in a crisis.
Excessive Stress Disrupts the Architecture of the Developing Brain

National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2005

The authors of this report explain research findings about the long-term affects of significant adversity early in life on a child's capacity to learn and to adapt to stressful situations. Topics include consequences of "toxic stress" for a child's learning, behavior, physical and mental health, how sensitive and responsive caregiving can buffer the effects of such stress, and how policies could be shaped to minimize the disruptive impacts of toxic stress on young children.
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 implementation, curricula, staffing, service referral, and recommendations for states and federal government.
Fact Sheet: Immigration and Child Welfare

Casey Family Programs, 2009

This fact sheet provides data on challenges and opportunities that immigration currently presents for child welfare systems. Topics include demographics and practice and policy implications.
Facts on Teens and Dating Violence

Family Violence Prevention Fund, 2009

In this fact sheet, the authors present data about the ways in which youth are affected by violence. For example, women age 16 to 24 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault; youth age 18 and 19 experience the highest rates of stalking; 15.5 million U.S. children live in families in which partner violence occurred at least once during the previous year.

From Science to Public Policy: Court Teams for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers

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.

From Time Out to Hard Time: Young Children in the Adult Criminal Justice System

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.

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 staff, students, communities, and law enforcement to consider when creating safer learning environments. Topics include prevention, assessment, crisis planning, and crisis and post-crisis response.
Helping St. Louis Families: A Guide for Court Professionals on the Co-Occurrence of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse/Neglect

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.

Helping Traumatized Children: Tips for Judges

National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2009

Children and adolescents who come into the court system frequently have experienced not only chronic abuse and neglect, but also exposure to substance abuse, domestic violence, and community violence. The authors of this brief inform judges and related personnel about the psychological, emotional, and behavioral consequences of these experiences. Topics include the effects of traumatic stress by age, assessment, choosing appropriate service providers, and references.
Homicides of Children and Youth
Finkelhor, D. and Ormrod, R., Juvenile Justice Bulletin, October 2001

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.
Improving Care Coordination, Case Management, and Linkages to Service for Young Children: Opportunities for States

Johnson, K. and Rosenthal, J., 2009
 

In this report, published by The Commonwealth Fund and the National Academy of State Health Policy, the authors discuss ways to improve linkages between pediatric primary health care and mental health, child welfare, and early care and education. Specific strategies include maximizing the use of personnel, undertaking quality improvement initiatives, and supporting individualized care plans and cross-systems planning.
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 issues, such as child protection, domestic violence, bullying, sexual violence, and gangs. Topics include tiers of intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, guidance for schools, and sample forms.
Indicators of School Crime and Safety

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.

Integrating Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation with the Pyramid Model

Perry, D.F. and Kauffman, R.K., 2009

The Pyramid Model is a tiered framework of strategies and measures to support the socio-emotional health of children, birth to age 5, currently implemented in several states. The authors of this policy brief, published by the Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Interventions for Young Children, discuss the purpose of early childhood mental health consultation, knowledge and skills that effective consultants need, research findings, and policy issues that arise when attempting to integrate these two approaches at the state and local levels.
Keeping Children Safe When Parents Are Arrested: Local Approaches That Work

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.

Kid's Stuff: The Nature and Impact of Peer and Sibling Violence on Younger and Older Children

D. Finkelhor, H. Turner, R. Ormrod, Child Abuse & Neglect (30), 2006, p. 1401-1421

In this study, the authors compare the violent peer and sibling episodes of younger children to those of older youth in terms of their seriousness and association with symptoms that might indicate traumatic events. They conclude that the younger children's peer and sibling victimization was no less serious than the older youth on several dimensions, and the younger children had similar trauma symptom levels to those experienced by older youth.

Learning to Listen, Learning to Help: Understanding Woman Abuse and its Effects on Children

Baker, L. and Cunningham, A., 2005

The authors of this paper, published by the Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System, Ontario, Canada, provide an introduction to the topic for families and professionals. Topics include the dynamics of abuse against women, the concept of power and control, incidence statistics, finding appropriate resources, how children are affected by violence at home and how they cope, how to respond to child disclosure, standards of professional conduct, reviewing providers' attitudes, and how to make a difference to end violence. 
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence in the United States in 2007

National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 2008

The authors of this report describe incidents of intimate partner violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBT) people that were reported in 2007 to community-based, anti-violence organizations in 14 regions throughout the United States. Topics include general information about LGBT domestic violence, regional specific data, availability of orders of protection to LGBT survivors, tips for supporting survivors of intimate partner violence, and recommendations to eliminate discrimination.
Lessons from Successful Systems: Evidence-Based Practices and Systems of Care: Implementation Matters (System Implementation Issue Brief #4)

Israel, N., Hodges, S., Ferreira, K., Mazza, J., 2007

In this issue brief, published by the University of South Florida Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health, the authors discuss the relationship between evidence-based practices (EBPs) and systems of care. Topics include key research findings and strategies critical to implementing EBPs.
Mental Health Interventions for Refugee Children in Resettlement

Birman, D., Ho, J., Pulley, E.,Batia, K., Everson, M.L., Ellis, H., Betancourt, T.S., Gonzalez, A, 2005

In this report, published by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, the authors report the results of research and findings from a survey conducted among 13 refugee service sites primarily located in urban areas, serving a wide range of refugee populations. Topics include refugee experience and complex mental health needs, key ingredients of a comprehensive, community-based model, and recommendations. 
Mental Health Problems in Early Childhood Can Impair Learning and Behavior for Life (Working Paper #6)
National Consensus Guidelines on Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence Victimization in Health Care Settings

Family Violence Prevention Fund, 2004

In this monograph, published in collaboration with professional medical associations, the authors present guidelines for
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.
Organizational Cultural Competence: A Review of Assessment Protocols

Harper, M., Hernandez, M., Nesman, T. Mowery, D., Worthington, J., Issacs, M., 2006

In this review, published by the Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health, the authors review cultural competence as currently operationalized and measured at the organizational level. They compare organizational assessment instruments based on the target organization, how the instrument was developed, how cultural competence is defined, domains used as categories of analysis, and considerations for the use of organizational assessment tools to asses cultural competence.
Parenting Infants and Toddlers Today

Zero to Three, 2010

In 2009, the authors surveyed 1,615 parents of children birth to three about childrearing practices and gaps in services and supports. Key findings include parents' overestimation of infants and toddlers' emotional control, reliance on grandparents, importance of clergy, and need for outreach to fathers.
Preventing Child Maltreatment

Paxson, C., Haskins, R., Stagner, M.W., Lansing, J., Wulczyn, F., Daro, D., Dodge, K.A., Barth, R.P., Howard, K.S.,  Brooks-Gunn, J., Testa, M.F., Smith, B., Finkelhor, D., Waldfogel, J., Future of Children, 19(2), 2009

In this issue, the authors present available research on policies and programs designed to prevent maltreatment and examine the gradual shift toward a prevention perspective. They assess whether a range of programs, such as community-wide interventions, parenting programs, home-visiting programs, treatment for parents with drug and alcohol problems, and school-based educational programs on sexual abuse, can prevent maltreatment.
Promoting Court Capacity to Improve Outcomes for Abused and Neglected Children

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.

Promoting Resilience

Knitzer, J., 2000

The author of this issue brief, published by the National Center for Children in Poverty, explores the realities of serving families with multiple challenges in the context of welfare changes. Topics include key findings from research, promising strategies, implications for action, and a recommendation to link welfare implementation with school readiness and other early childhood initiatives at the state and community levels.
Prostitution of Juveniles: Patterns From NIBRS

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.

Providing Services and Supports for Youth who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex or Two-Spirit (Practice Brief)

Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence, 2008

In this practice brief, the authors provide information about youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S) and how to develop culturally and linguistically competent programs and services. Topics include challenges and needs of these youth, system level approaches, strategies to enhance service delivery, strenthening staff and supports, and protecting these populations.

 

Race as a Factor in Juvenile Arrests

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.

Racial Disproportionality Movement in Child Welfare: False Facts and Dangerous Directions

Bartholet, E., 2009

In this study, published by the Harvard Law School Faculty Scholarship Series, the author analyzes the Racial Disproportionality Movement and underlying issues. Topics include the Racial Disproportionality Movement, understanding the issue, and policy implications.
Reaching and Serving Teen Victims: A Practical Handbook

Whitman, J., 2007

In this handbook, published by the National Center for Victims of Crime and the National Crime Prevention Council, the author explains the impact of victimization during adolescence and provides strategies for assessing local teen victimization and creating effective teen outreach and service environments. Topics include family and legal issues, mandatory reporting, and related resources.
Recovering From Trauma: Childhood Trauma
Ayoub, C., Usable Knowledge E-Newsletter, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2009
 
The author describes the ways significant conflict or loss affects the social and emotional development of children, and the importance of helping children learn to build trusting, positive relationships as part of their recovery. Topics include the ways in which children are affected by trauma, how the behavior of traumatized children may differ from other children, and how some programs prevent and support recovery from childhood trauma.
Resource Guidelines: Supporting Best Practices and Building Foundations for Innovation in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases

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.

RESOURCE GUIDELINES: Supporting Best Practices and Building Foundations for Innovation in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases—Looking Back and Moving Forward

Portune, L.L., Gatowski, S., Dobbin, S., 2009

First published in 1995, the focus of the RESOURCE GUIDELINES is judicial leadership in judicial reform on- and off-the-bench, and the articulation of best practices in the handling of child abuse and neglect cases. This new edition provides an overview of how the RESOURCE GUIDELINES is being used to guide court and systems reform. 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.
Self Care for Educators

National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2008

According to the authors, educators who work with traumatized children are vulnerable to the effects of trauma, being physically, mentally, or emotionally worn out, or feeling overwhelmed by students' traumas. In this brief, they provide 10 tips for coping with secondary traumatic stress disorder.
Silent Realities: Supporting Children and Their Families Who Experience Violence

Cohen, E. and Walthall, B., 2003

In this guide, the authors explain how exposure to violence may disrupt the development of young children ages birth to 5, and the importance of talking with children about traumatic events as a necessary part of the healing process. The authors provide specific recommendations for creating nurturing environments in homes and early care settings to help young children cope. Available in Spanish.
Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood: What Every Policymaker Should Know

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.

Synthesis of Research on Disproportionality in Child Welfare: An Update

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.

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 be used to provide families and children with ongoing cash assistance or short-term benefits. Covered services include emergency shelter, medical treatment, counseling, and relocation assistance.

Trauma Among Girls in the Juvenile Justice System

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.

Treating Traumatized Immigrant and Refugee Youth (Webinar)

Ellis, B.H., 2009

 
In this presentation, published by Harvard University Children's Hospital Center for Refugee Trauma and Resilience, the author presents a socio-ecological model of trauma and describes the continuum of care provided by the community. The project is a partnership between mental health providers, schools, and Somali community agencies and families.
Truancy Reduction: Keeping Students in School
Baker, M.L., Sigmon, J.N., Nugent, M.E., Juvenile Justice Bulletin, September 2001
  
The authors of this report, published by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, present research findings regarding the problem of truancy and describe the correlations of family, school, economic, and student factors. Topics include achieving a standardized approach, gaining cooperation from diverse community players, and implementing data-driven methods.
Understanding the Experiences and Needs of Children of Incarcerated Parents: Views from Mentors

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.

Understanding What Children Say about Living with Domestic Violence, Parental Substance Misuse or Parental Health Problems

Gorin, S., 2004

In this literature review, published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York, England, the author examines research conducted in the UK from 1990 to 2003 to determine what children say about living in families where there is domestic violence, parental substance misuse or parental health problems. Topics include key themes in children's experiences, how children feel about the difficulties they experience at home, what their coping strategies are, and the support they would like to receive.
Victimization and Juvenile Offending

National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2004

The authors of this report provide information about the effects that victimization has on the behavior, attitudes, and functioning of adolescents, and what can be done to mitigate its effects. Topics include rates of adolescent victimizations, relationship of child maltreatment and other victimizations to later delinquency and violence, and recomended interventions.
Victims of Violent Juvenile Crime

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.

What About ME! Seeking to Understand the Child's View of Violence in the Family

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.

When Teens Hurt Teens: Helping the Victims of Youth-on-Youth Criminal Violence

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.

When Your Child Is Missing: A Family Survival Guide

Cox, H., Boburka, M., Nick, C., Ryce, C., Ryce, D., Sessions, P., Wetterling, P., 2004

 
The authors of this guide are parents and family members whose children have been abducted. Topics include the role of parents, law enforcement, and volunteers, the long-term search, use of the media and volunteers, and caring for parents, other children, and members of the extended family.
Women Abuse Affects our Children - An Educator's Guide

Baker, L. and Jaffe, P., 2007

This Educator's Guide and its Facilitator's Manual were developed by an expert panel formed as part of the Government of Ontario's Domestic Violence Action Plan to serve as a resource for elementary teachers, principals and guidance counselors.  Topics include impacts on children and adolescents, potential impacts at different ages, responding when children show signs of disturbance, reporting guidelines, and school-community partnerships.