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.

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.

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

According to the authors of this brief, estimates of PTSD prevalence in the juvenile justice population range between 3 percent and 50 percent, rates up to eight times as high as other community samples of similar-age. Topics include clinical considerations, juvenile justice environment, assessment approaches, and references.

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.

Institute for Safe Families, 2006

The authors describe a community process to develop a citywide system of integrated care for children exposed to domestic violence using pediatric health care as the focal point. Documents include a needs assessment, process of creating a Pediatric Collaborative, and development of on-site domestic violence and child mental health resources at pediatric sites. 

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.

National Center on Family Homelessness, 2008

The authors of this fact sheet present an overview of the scope, causes, and impact of homelessness on children and families in the United States. By age twelve, 83% of homeless children have been exposed to at least one serious violent event, and almost 25% have witnessed acts of violence within their families. The authors discuss the trauma experienced by homeless children and the impact on their physical and mental health, academic performance and developmental milestones.

Starling, S.P., Heisler, K.W., Paulson, J.F., Youmans, E., Pediatrics, 123 (4), April 2009, p. e595-e602

In this study, the authors surveyed program directors and third-year residents at 67 residency programs to measure the level of knowledge, comfort, and training related to the medical management of child abuse among pediatrics, emergency medicine, and family medicine programs. Their findings indicate that pediatric programs provide far more training and resources for child abuse education than emergency medicine and family medicine programs.

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.

Evans, G.W. and Schamberg, M.A., Social Sciences - Psychology, PNAS, 106 (16), 2009, p. 6545-6549

The authors studied the levels of stress hormones, blood pressure, and body mass (allostatic load) in children at ages 9, 13 and 17, and measured working memory at age 17. They find that chronic stress from growing up in poverty can affect a child's brain and diminish a child's ability to develop language and reading and problem-solving skills. The longer children lived in poverty, the higher their allostatic load and the lower their working memory.

Baker, L.L., Jaffe, P.G., Ashbourne, L., 2002

The authors of this guide, published by the Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System, Ontario, Canada, provide strategies for early childhood educators to help children under 5 years old who are exposed to violence in the home. The strategies are designed to help affected children regain a sense of predictability, consistency, and safey, and to provide support the affected parent. Topics include the impact of domestic violence on children, how to recognize the signs of exposure, how to support children and deal with challenging behaviors, and resources for parents who may be adult victims.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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

The authors of this fact sheet describe the challenges faced by children of homeless families, which may act as "secondary adversities," putting a child at greater risk for trauma reactions and making recovery difficult. These challenges include such experiences as loss of routines and possessions, abrupt separations, hunger, interpersonal, mental, and physical problems, and ongoing reminders of traumatic experiences. They provide specific recommendations for shelter programs to provide trauma-informed services to children and families, and where to find further information.

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.

National Center for Children in Poverty, 2009

In this brief, published by the National Center for Children in Poverty, the author presents demographic data and outlines major factors contributing to family homelessness. Factors include lack of affordable housing, economic insecurity, violence at home, and lack of positive social support.
Allo, J. and Ptak, A., 2009
 
Published by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the Greenbook was designed to guide collaborative efforts among local child protection agencies, domestic violence advocacy programs, the family or dependency court, and other organizations, to more effectively serve families experiencing domestic violence and child maltreatment. In this document, the authors share leadership lessons from the perspective of the Greenbook project directors. Topics include laying the foundation for change, resources and strategies to promote the change process, and leadership to meet diverse program needs.

 

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.

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.

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. 

CW 360, Spring 2009

This issue contains an overview of key issues, information for practitioners, current research, and special challenges faced by GLBTQ youth and youth with disabilities aging out of foster care.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.