Early Childhood

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cohen, E. and Davis, L., 2006

In this issue brief, published by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the authors address the issue of co-occurrence between domestic violence and child maltreatment. Topics include strategies to support child welfare and domestic violence staff in strengthening collaborative relationships with families, supporting the well-being of both adult and child survivors, and ways to engage non-traditional community partners, such as diverse linguistic and cultural groups, parents, and others.

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.

Wright, R. and Thomas, W., Juvenile and Family Court Journal, Fall 2003, p. 87-95

In this article, the authors provide an overview of the current statistics on the disproportionate representation of communities of color in the domestic violence, child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Topics include factors that are contributing to these trends, and preliminary recommendations for judicial leadership and decision making.

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.

 

Schechter, S. and Edleson, J., 1999

 
In this guide, published by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the authors provide a policy framework for communities to improve services to families experiencing domestic violence and child maltreatment. The recommendations were developed in collaboration with an interdisciplinary committee of experts from the courts, domestic violence and child welfare systems, federal agencies, and universities. From 2000-2007, six "Greenbook" demonstration sites were funded. Local and national evaluations of these projects, and technical assistance materials are posted online at www.thegreenbook.info.

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.

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.

Arean, J.C., 2008

In this paper, published by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the author proposes a continuum of interventions for the engagement of abusive fathers in visitation centers. Topics include accountability and connection with fathers, safety for women and children, organizational readiness, cultural context, assessment, community partnerships, and continuum of practices in engaging abusive men.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 
Schorr, L.B. and Marchand, V., 2007

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.

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.

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.

Focal Point, 21 (1), Winter 2007

In this special issue, published by the The Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health, the authors present findings from current research on causes and effects of child traumatic stress as experienced by children involved in the child welfare system. Topics include the effects of complex trauma on the developing brain in children and adolescents, evidence-based treatments, early intervention as prevention, cultural adapatations for Native American youth, and the implications for treatment, prevention, and policy.

The Safe Schools Coalition is a nonprofit partnership of more than 70 community organizations, school and government agencies, churches, youth groups and individuals working together to protect every child from the torment of bullying based on perceived sexual orientation. Services include training, information about policy development, research, listserv, blog, and resources (videos, curricula, books, posters) to teach students and staff about GLBTQ issues.

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.

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.

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.

Cooper, J., Masi, R., Dababnah, S., Aratani, Y., Knitzer, J., 2007

The authors of this paper, published by the National Center for Children in Poverty, examine current policy and practice related to children, youth, and families. They identify deficiencies and recommend ways to bridge the gaps in three key areas: (1) differences between observed trauma symptoms and the urgency, depth, and quality of responses; (2) lack of knowledge of current research, intervention, and prevention strategies; and (3) barriers policies present for state and local efforts to develop and sustain trauma-informed practices.

Backmann, K., Knitzer, J.A., Cooper, J.L., and Dicker, S., 2010

The authors of this report, published by the National Center for Children in Poverty, explore the research on parent training. Topics include strategies for effective programs and recommendations for changing policy and practice.

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.

 

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.

Gewirtz, A. and Edleson, J., Series Paper #6, Early Childhood, Domestic Violence, and Poverty: Helping Young Children and Their Families, S. Schechter (Ed.), Iowa City: IA, University of Iowa School of Social Work, 2004, p. 141-177

In this article, the authors focus on specific strategies that family support programs can use to expand their capacity to help families with young children. Topics include ways to prepare staff members and the community to respond to violence, tips for talking sensitively to adult victims, children, and batterers, sponsoring dialogues about violence within neighborhoods and communities, and policy recommendations.