About Us -- Initiative Summary

The California Safe from the Start Initiative is a comprehensive strategy to bring community leaders from throughout the state together to assure that California children grow up in safe, healthy environments. The project targets children, ages 0 to 18 with an emphasis on children ages 0 to 5, who have been exposed to family, school and/or community violence.

The initiative includes: (1) the statewide symposium held May 17, 2000, at the Los Angeles Century Plaza Hotel; (2) ten regional community forums; (3) a follow-up policy report on policy recommendations and (4) the provision of on-going training and technical assistance to assure child safety and health. The statewide symposium and regional community forums brought together local and state policymakers and other community leaders to raise awareness about the devastating physical, emotional and intellectual impact of violence on children and to promote and develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Materials produced by the initiative include; (1) Window of Opportunity - a community education video; (2) Promising Strategies and Programs Resource Guide and (3) an enhanced interactive Web site.

Problem

Children exposed to violence and maltreatment suffer increased depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, anger, alcohol and drug abuse and lower academic achievement. New scientific research is uncovering the physiological impact of violence on the developing human brain and the long-term consequences of this exposure. Studies show that children exposed to violence, either as victims or witnesses, are more likely to become juvenile and adult offenders.

Currently, the service delivery system serves children and families in distinct categories, which may limit treatment alternatives if the funding does not cover the type of treatment needed. Further, communication among the service providers is problematic. Although some communities have invested an enormous amount of time and energy into the development of an integrated service delivery system, others need assistance in putting together such a system. Bringing community organizations together to implement this type of system will enhance their ability to respond to children exposed to violence and improve their health and well-being. Attorney General Lockyer is committed to actively supporting state and local community initiatives that address the impact of violence on children. To this end, the Attorney General views the California Safe from the Start Initiative as a step in the right direction. The initiative is funded by the Attorney General's Office and First 5 California, formerly the California Children and Families Commission.