Products -- Safe from the Start Newsletter Archives

SFTS NEWS

SFTS Bids Adieu to Program Manager Betty White
Program Manager Betty White has left the Attorney General’s Office and Safe from the Start to begin a new adventure as a Staff Services Manager with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. We will miss Betty very much, and we know her Central California counties will miss her too. We wish her the best of luck in her new assignment.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Each year, more than 3 million children continue to be reported as abused and neglected to child protective agencies in the United States. In 2004, the California Department of Social Services estimated that 378,301 referrals for investigation of child abuse and neglect involving 713,391 children were handled by local child welfare services agencies. As we recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, we also want to recognize all those who work so diligently with families to help reduce the number of children exposed to abuse and violence.

SCHOOL READINESS INFORMATION

Council of Chief State School Officers
The School Readiness Project at the Council of Chief State School Officers reviewed school readiness programs in six states (Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia) and presented their findings in a December 2006 report. The sites reviewed in these six states focused on programs that accommodate all children at school entry and work with both families and the community to improve school readiness. The key to their success seemed to be facilitating broad interagency collaboration, planning, and implementation.

For the complete 44-page report, go to http://www.ccsso.org/projects/School_Readiness/9263.cfm and then click on Early Steps with Ready Schools.

RELATED RESEARCH

Zero to Three – National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families
Citing that the United States is the most violent industrialized country in the world, the National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families presents a research report detailing the effect of violence on children, ages 0-3. This report cites numerous studies, and makes recommendations for children and communities.

For additional information, click on http://www.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/courtteam_Children_Violence.pdf?docID=424.

RELATED RESOURCES

California Courts Self-Help Center
The California Courts Self-Help Center provides links to hotlines, free and low-cost help in California counties, and other information to help anyone dealing with domestic violence, as well as many other important issues.

Please see http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/protection/dv/.

An Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection
Otherwise known as AARDVARC, An Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection provides information about California Victim Advocates and Support contacts statewide, and for each county in the state. Additionally, there are links to several other California resources and help guides.

Please see http://www.aardvarc.org/dv/states/ca.shtml.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Avon Foundation
The Avon Foundation is seeking proposals from non-profit organizations and agencies that assist children who have been exposed to domestic violence. The foundation has identified three strategic priorities for 2007. An organization must quantify its work under one (or more) of these strategic priorities in order to be considered.

• Coordinated response models between domestic violence organizations and child abuse agencies.
• Programs that enable teens to develop and create materials and resources to help other teens speak out against domestic violence.
• Safety planning or counseling for children who are not residing in domestic violence shelters.

UPCOMING SFTS TRAINING AND CONFERENCES

Kids in Crisis and Communities That Care
April 19, 2007
Location: Santa Ynez Valley Marriott Hotel, Buellton
Keynote Speaker: Dr Bruce Perry
Contact: First 5 Santa Barbara County (805) 739-8742
Co-hosted by SFTS, Santa Barbara County Department of Alcohol Drug & Mental Health, Santa Barbara County's Early Childhood Mental Health & Other Special Needs Initiative, and California First 5
Registration Form: http://first5santabarbaracounty.org/docs/conference0407.pdf

Safe from the Start Criminal Justice/ P.O.S.T. Training
May 17, 2007 - San Bernardino
Contact: Arlene.Greene@doj.ca.gov

6th Annual Children's System of Care Conference
May 30, 2007
Location: Bahia Resort Hotel, San Diego
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Bruce D. Perry
Annual conference addresses community awareness and understanding of prevention and early intervention regarding the effects of trauma on children, youth, and young adults. Target audience is mental health professionals, social workers, probation officers, community members and youth.
Contact: Jamie.Beam@sdcounty.ca.gov or (858) 514-4770.

Domestic Violence Death Review Teams
June 7, 2007
Location: Anaheim Family Justice Center
Keynote: Dr. Neil Websdale
Contact: Sandi Gaarder (916) 323-8405 or Madelyn Childs (916) 327-7863
Website: www.safestate.org/index.cfm?navID=9

An Overview of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
June 7, 2007
Location: Courtyard Mariott, Midtown Sacramento
Keynote: Anthony Urquiza, Ph.D.
Contact: Julie.ebe@usdmc.ucdavis.edu or register online at http://www.mentalhealthtraining.tv

26th Annual UC Davis Child Abuse & Neglect Conference
September 17-19, 2007
Location: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Sacramento
Contact: Christine Feenstra-Gray Christine.feenstra@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu or register@canconference.com