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EVALUATION FINDINGS FROM THE SAFE START INITIATIVE: IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE

Presenters: Joie Acosta, Kristen Kracke, Dana Schultz

Abstract Category: Research          

Instruction Level: Intermediate

Presentation: Click Here

Description:      

Evaluation findings from the seven year implementation of the Safe Start Initiative will be presented including process and outcome data and evaluation practices for effectively engaging participants.

Abstract:

Children’s exposure to violence is a significant national problem. It is estimated that 90% of all children witness some form of violence at least once during their childhood (Richters & Martinez, 1993). In 1997 the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention began the development of the Safe Start Initiative to address the emerging issue of children exposed to violence, particularly exposure that could lead to adverse outcomes for young children. To address this issue a four-tiered framework was created which focused on knowledge building and knowledge transfer to understand outcomes and impact of children’s exposure to violence, develop capacity to prevent exposure, and establish viable integrated systems of care across mental health, law enforcement, education and human services.

From 1999 through 2006, the first tier of the framework, the Safe Start Demonstration Project was implemented.  It focused on preventing and reducing the impact of family and community violence on children six years and younger through creation of a comprehensive system to improve access, delivery and quality of services. The second tier, Safe Start Promising Practices, began in 2006 and is intended to understand the impact of specific evidence-based intervention strategies on outcomes for young children and families.

This workshop will provide findings from the evaluation of these two tiers and focus discussion on the implications of these findings for research and practice for children’s exposure to violence. Included in the workshop will be a discussion of evaluation practices and technical assistance to strengthen the engagement and retention of families in care and treatment interventions.