Schools

Bullying and Teasing of Youth With Disabilities: Creating Positive School Environments for Effective Inclusion

Hoover, J. and Stenhjem, P., Issue Brief, 2 (3), 2003

In this overview, the authors argue that whole-school antibullying/antiviolence programs are necessary to address the problem effectively. Topics include definitions of bullying, teasing and disability harrassment, adressing the problem, Professor Olweus' program, Second Step program, and resources.

Bullying in Schools

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.

Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: An Information Packet

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.

Creating Safety and Stability for Children Exposed to Family Violence: A Working Paper for Family to Family Sites

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.

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.

Disproportionate Representation: Communities of Color in the Domestic Violence, Juvenile Justice, and Child Welfare Systems

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.

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.

Effects of Childhood Stress Across the Lifespan

Middlebrooks, J.S. and Audage, N.C., 2008

In this report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the authors document the link between 'toxic' stress and short- and long-term negative health effects, focusing on the stress caused by child abuse, neglect, and repeated exposure to intimate partner violence. They present prevention strategies based in a socio-ecological model considering the interplay between individual, relationship, community and societal factors.

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.

Epidemiology of Trauma and Trauma-Related Disorders in Children and Youth

Fairbank, J., PTSD Research Quarterly, 19 (1), 2008, pp. 1-7

The author of this paper reviews general population studies, disaster research, child maltreatment studies, and special population studies that report the prevalence of PTSD in children, adolescents, and young adults. Based on theses studies, he discusses the cumulative adverse effects of traumatic stress experienced from infancy through adolescence.

Healthy Beginnings, Healthy Futures: A Judge's Guide

American Bar Association, 2009

Produced by the American Bar Association in collaboration with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and Zero to Three National Policy Center, the authors of this guide address the health needs of very young children in the child welfare system. Topics include research on physical health, child development, attachment, infant mental health, early care and education, and tools to help judges promote better outcomes for preschoolers.

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.

Infants and Toddlers in Court

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Juvenile and Family Court Journal (Special Issue on Infants and Toddlers), 55 (2), 2004

In this special issue, the authors present information about the needs of children ages birth to three in the court system. Topics include critical issues for juvenile and family courts, and questions judges and lawyers should ask about infants and toddlers in the child welfare system.

Reducing Disparities Beginning in Early Childhood

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.

Safe Havens Training Curriculum

Safe Havens Training Curriculum: Helping Early Childhood Teachers Work with Young Children Affected by Community Violence

Family Communications

This training kit was designed to help caregivers and early childhood teachers work with children exposed to violence and help them feel safer. The contents include a 100-page manual, three videos, workshop materials for ten hours of training, and English and Spanish handouts.

Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grantees Report Reduced Violence and Safer Schools

National Evaluation Data Brief, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2009

In this report, the authors report that over a three-year period, school districts participating in the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative reported 15% fewer students involved in violent incidents and a 12% decrease in experienced/witnessed violence. Under the initiative, schools collaborate with community agencies to implement a comprehensive, community-wide plan to create safe, drug-free schools that promote healthy development.

Safe Start Promising Approaches Communities: Working Together to Help Children Exposed to Violence

Safe Start Center, 2008

This booklet describes the 15 Safe Start Promising Approaches communities, funded from 2005 to 2009 by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. These communities piloted evidence-based, interagency services to reduce the impact of exposure to violence on children and their families. Topics include an overview of the Safe Start initiative, family narratives, descriptions of the collaborative interventions, and a list of the evidence-based practices being piloted.

School-Based Program to Prevent Adolescent Dating Violence: A Cluster Randomized Trial

D. A. Wolfe, C. Crooks, P. Jaffe, D. Chiodo, R. Hughes, W. Ellis, L. Stitt, A. Donner, 2009
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 163 (8), p. 692-699

Science-Based Framework for Early Childhood Policy: Using Evidence to Improve Outcomes in Learning, Behavior, and Health for Vulnerable Children

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.

Sexual Victimization in Juvenile Facilities Reported by Youth, 2008-2009

Beck, A. J., Guerino, P., Harrison, P. M., 2010

In this report, published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the authors present data from the 2008-09 National Survey of Youth in Custody. About 12% of youth in state and large nonstate juvenile facilities reported experiencing one or more incidents of sexual victimization by facility staff or another youth in the past 12 months.

Supporting Children and Families in the Child Welfare System

Cohen, E.

Head Start Bulletin, #80, 2009, pp 98-100

In this article, the author discusses ways staff can help very young maltreated children cope with their feelings and anxieties through daily routines, developmentally appropriate learning experiences, and play and creative activities. Topics include guidelines for helping the child develop new attachments and ways staff can establish a nurturing environment.

Treatment, Services, and Intervention Programs for Child Delinquents

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.

Underperforming Schools and the Education of Vulnerable Children

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.

Understanding Children's Exposure to Violence. Moving From Evidence to Action: The Safe Start Series on Children Exposed to Violence, Issue Brief #1

Cohen, E., Groves, B.M., Kracke, K., 2009

In this issue brief, published by the Safe Start Center, the authors assist practitioners in understanding the impact of exposure to violence on the development of children as well as the environmental and family factors that may provide a buffer and prevent or reduce the impact of exposure. Topics include key elements in designing and implementing comprehensive programs that enhance resilience, decrease risks, and provide specialized treatments to children exposed to violence and their families, and strategies for creating a coordinated system of care.

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.

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.

Violent Victimization as a Risk Factor for Violent Offending Among Juveniles

Shaffer, J.N. and Ruback, R.B., Juvenile Justice Bulletin, December 2002

The authors of this bulletin analyze the relationships between violent victimizations and violent offending across a 2-year period, using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The authors address three issues: (1) the relationship between violent victimization and violent offending over time; (2) individual-level factors; and (3) affect of drug use on the relationship between victimization and offending.

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.

Young Children Living with Domestic Violence: The Role of Early Childhood Programs

E. Cohen and J. Knitzer, 2004
Series Paper #2, Early Childhood, Domestic Violence, and Poverty: Helping Young Children and Their Families, S. Schechter (Ed.), p. 41-58

The authors of this paper provide practical information and resources for staff working with young children and their families in early childhood programs and domestic violence agencies. They focus on the specific service needs of young children living in domestic violence related to their mental, physical, and cognitive development. They also highlight the role of program administrators in supporting staff and strengthening community and state partnerships and policies on behalf of young children and families affected by domestic violence. Topics include recommended center policies, strategies for staff and administrators, and strategies for interagency collaborations.

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