NCJ Number
223672
Journal
Journal of Emotional Abuse Volume: 8 Issue: 1/2 Dated: 2008 Pages: 155-174
Date Published
2008
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the implementation in 26 communities of the Safe Start Initiative (SSI), which promotes community investment in evidence-based strategies for preventing and reducing children's exposure to violence in the home and community; and it discusses SSI-related national research, evaluation, training, technical assistance, resource development, and information dissemination.
Abstract
SSI promising practices initiated in the 26 communities include improvements in the identification, screening, and referral strategies and practices; enhanced program responses and integration of services; engaging and retaining families in voluntary services; increasing cultural competence in serving racial/ethnic minorities; and raising community awareness about violence in families and the community. Achievements have included new working relationships among agencies and organizations positioned to address violence, institutionalized training for service providers, changes in State policies in order to facilitate responding to children exposed to violence, and an increased capacity to adapt interventions to reduce harms to children exposed to violence. In describing SSI, this article discusses its theoretical foundation, its core principles, and its framework for achieving its goals. Descriptions of its components address research and evaluation; training and technical assistance, resource development, and dissemination of information; and partnerships and alliances. Regarding the future of SSI, this article envisions that 10 years from now SSI will provide policymakers with a national direction guided by evidence of which interventions make a difference and the long-term results of investments in both science and practice related to preventing and reducing violence and its effects on victims, families, and the community. 2 figures and 51 references