Safe from the Start
Background
In June of 1999 the U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services held Safe From the Start: The National Summit on Children Exposed to Violence in Washington D.C. In response, a local summit was held in the state of Illinois. From this convention emerged the Safe From the Start program, which incorporates several demonstration sites that develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive and coordinated community models to identify and respond to young children (ages 0-5) exposed to violence in the home and/or community. For the purposes of this program, those who have been exposed to violence includes victims of abuse, neglect, or maltreatment, and witnesses to domestic violence, sexual assault, or other violent crimes. Programs incorporate public awareness, professional training, and direct services for children and families.
Safe From the Start utilizes the principles of early intervention, mutual collaboration, cross training, and research-based planning to: provide developmentally and culturally appropriate direct services to children ages 0-5, and families exposed to violence; increase public awareness regarding children exposed to violence; and demonstrate a collaborative community based approach to supporting families through collaboration and coalition building with other entities that interact with families.
There are twelve implementation sites across Illinois. Evaluating the effectiveness of the Safe From the Start (SFS) Grant Program continues to be a key component of the program. Primary objectives include assessing the process of identification, referral, and assessment of young children exposed to violence; services provided; and the impact of violence on children and their caregivers. University of Illinois at Chicago is will continue to evaluate the Safe From the Start (SFS) Grant Program.
Area 2 – Northwestern Illinois
Child Abuse Council, Moline
Phone:(309)757-1265
Fax:(309)757-1266
Email: michaelt@childabuseqc.org
Website: http://www.childabuseqc.org
The Child Abuse Council’s Safe From the Start program has operated in Rock Island County since July of 2003. The program provides direct service to children and families impacted by violence in their lives. The Children’s Trauma Services Supervisor oversees the Safe From the Start Case Coordinator and a number of contractual therapists. The Case Coordinator provides therapy for children and the non-offending caregiver in addition to case management. The contractual therapists utilize various therapeutic interventions including play therapy. The Child Abuse Council also convenes the Safe From the Start coalition which brings together local service providers and stakeholders with the goal of improving services for children and families by bringing awareness to the issue of children’s exposure to violence. In addition to providing direct service and heading the coalition, the Safe From the Start program at Child Abuse Council conducts extensive public awareness activities that increase community knowledge about the effects of childhood exposure to violence.
Area 3 – Western Central Illinois
The Center for the Prevention of Abuse, Peoria
Phone:(309)686-5229
Fax:(309)686-6628
Email: sdillefeld@peoriaschildren.org
Peoria’s Children, operated by The Center for the Prevention of Abuse has provided direct service to children, ages 0-5 and their families who have been impacted by violence within Peoria County since July 2001. In July 2007, Peoria’s Children expanded their service area to include the Tri-County area which includes Tazewell, Peoria, and Woodford counties. This program relies on community professionals, agencies, and former clients to identify and refer children who have experienced trauma from exposure to violence and who reside in the Tri-County area. Peoria’s Children staffs a Project Administrator who is in charge of sustaining the Peoria’s Children Coalition, provides community presentation opportunities, and oversees the daily activities of the program. One full-time and one part-time Case Coordinator provide case management and other client direct-service activities, as well as, offering a violence prevention program to Kindergartens, parents, and community groups throughout the counties. In addition, Peoria’s Children contracts with six area therapists in order to meet the need for therapeutic services in response to the lack of services available in the Tri-County area.
Area 4 – Eastern Central Illinois
Macon County Child Advocacy Center, Decatur
Phone:(217)422-6294
Fax:(217)422-6590
Email: mccac4kids@aol.com
Macon County Safe From the Start has been administered by The Macon County Child Advocacy Center since July 2003. This program provides direct service to children, ages 0-5 and their families who have been exposed to incidents of domestic and community violence and who reside in the Macon County area. A full-time Children’s Therapist provides comprehensive therapy services to children and their non-offending primary family member, while a full-time Case Manager assesses and conducts overall case management. Local law enforcement agencies, DCFS, community agencies, and former clients identify and refer children to Macon County Safe from the Start. The Project Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and maintaining the Safe From the Start Macon County Coalition and community relations; conducts parenting classes and presentations on bullying, domestic violence, media violence, child abuse, keeping kids safe and others; and oversees the daily activities of the program. In addition, this program provides parenting classes, volunteer opportunities with The Neighborhood Crisis Response Team, and also works together with a coalition of Macon County service providers to increase public awareness about the impact of violence on children and their development.
Children’s Home and Aid Society, Bloomington
Phone:(309)827-0374
Fax:(309)828-0745
Email: tkelly@tcf.chasi.org
The Butterfly Project, operated by Children’s Home & Aid, is in their first year of implementation and will begin serving families in the second quarter of FY 09. This agency has been providing direct services to children and families in McLean County for over 118 years. In the Butterfly Project, A full-time Infant Mental Health Specialist will provide comprehensive therapy services to children and their non-offending primary family member, while a full-time Case Manager will assess and conduct overall case management. The program will provide therapy and case management services in the home as well as in the agency. Local law enforcement agencies, DCFS, and community agencies identify and will refer children and their families to The Butterfly Project. The Project Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and maintaining the Butterfly Project Coalition, community relations, and oversees the daily activities of the program.
Area 5 – Southwestern Illinois
Phoenix Crisis Center, Granite City
Phone:(618)451-4267
Fax:(618)541-1052
Email: phoenixcrisiscenter@yahoo.com
Tri-Cities Safe From the Start, operated by The Phoenix Crisis Center, works with a coalition of advocates, law enforcement officials, educators, and social service providers. This program has offered direct services to children ages 0-5 and their families who have been exposed to violence within southern Madison County since July 2001. A full-time Program Therapist provides individual, group, and family therapy to children and their non-offending caregivers. Art, verbal, and play therapy are used with very young children exposed to violence. In July 2007, Tri-Cities Safe From the Start expanded their service area to include all of Madison County. This program receives referrals from early childhood agencies, professionals, and community agencies which identify children who have experienced trauma as a result of being exposed to violence. The Program Advocate shares responsibility for coalition activities, case management, provides parenting education for the non-offending caregivers, public awareness activities, and oversees the daily activities of the program.
Area 7 – Cook County
Casa Central, Chicago
Phone:(773)645-2406
Fax:(773)645-2335
Email: MReynolds@CasaCentral.org
Website: http://www.casacentral.org
In FY09, Casa Central will begin providing Safe From the Start services in eight communities on Chicago’s west side. The SFS Coordinator will also act as the primary therapist, offering individual and family counseling in both English and Spanish. The Coordinator also convenes the Safe From the Start coalition which seeks to improve community response to children’s exposure to violence (CEV). Finally, the Casa Central Safe From the Start coordinator will conduct ongoing public awareness activities to increase community knowledge around the effects of children’s exposure to violence. As a Chicago Safe Start site, Casa also receives additional technical assistance and support from the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Chicago Department of Public Health/Chicago Safe Start
Phone:(312)747-9396
Fax:(312)747-9398
Email: white_marlita@cdph.org
Website: http://www.cityofchicago.org/health
In FY 09, CDPH will serve as the local convener for the existing and newly expanded direct service providers for the Chicago Safe Start-Safe From the Start Network. As experts in the field of Childhood Exposure to Violence, Chicago Safe Start staff will continue to collaborate with IVPA and all the Safe From the Start sites.
Children’s Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County, Hoffman Estates
Phone:(847)540-0549
Fax:(847)540-9366
Email: cbsfts@sbcglobal.net
Website: http://www.cachelps.org
The Children’s Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County received Safe From the Start funding in July 2001 and continues to provide direct service to children and families exposed to violence. The program staff includes a supervisor, 4 staff therapists and three contractual therapists. Safe From the Start therapists also act as case coordinators and assist the non offending caregiver with case management. Safe From the Start staff are 40-hour trained and have the capacity to provide bi-lingual services. Staff members also convene the Safe From the Start coalition which seeks to improve community response to children’s exposure to violence (CEV). In addition to direct service and coalition building, the Safe From the Start program and the Children’s Advocacy Center conduct extensive public awareness and education around CEV.
Family Focus, Chicago
Phone:(773)962-0366
Fax:(773)963-0966
Email: julianna.wesolowski@family-focus.org
Website: http://www.family-focus.org
Since July 2005, Family Focus Safe From the Start has been providing counseling and other mental health services for children aged 0-6 and their families, who have been exposed to violence. The Safe From the Start Program at Family Focus is staffed by an Infant Mental Health Specialist and a Child Trauma Therapist who as a team provide group and individual counseling and support for children and families. Family Focus staff members also convene the Safe From the Start coalition which promotes service enhancement and awareness of children’s exposure to violence. Extensive public awareness activities conducted by Family Focus further enhance the community’s knowledge of the effects of childhood exposure to violence. As a Chicago Safe Start site, Family Focus will receive additional technical assistance and support from the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Heartland Human Care Services, Chicago
Phone:(773)847-4417
Fax:(312)660-1500
Email: jgeltmaker@heartlandalliance.org
Website: http://www.heartlandalliance.org
In FY09, Heartland Human Care Services will begin providing Safe From the Start services in five communities on Chicago’s north side. The SFS program at Heartland will be staffed by a coordinator and two part-time clinical case managers. Services provided will include individual and family therapy as well as extensive community outreach and education. Heartland Safe From the Start staff will also convene the Safe From the Start coalition to improve the community response to childhood exposure to violence. As a Chicago Safe Start site, Heartland will receive additional technical support and assistance from the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Metropolitan Family Services, Chicago
Phone:(773)371-3667
Fax:(773)371-3699
Email: PullieC@metrofamily.org
Website: http://www.metrofamily.org
Since July 2005, Metropolitan Family Services Safe From the Start has been providing individual and group counseling for children aged 0-6 and their families, who have been exposed to violence. Case management and counseling are provided by the Safe From the Start Counselor who also collaborates with two contracted therapists that provide infant mental health assessments and consultation. Metropolitan’s Safe From the Start coalition meets quarterly to improve community collaboration, service enhancement and awareness of children’s exposure to violence. Program staff members also conduct ongoing public awareness activities to increase community knowledge around the effects of children’s exposure to violence. As a Chicago Safe Start site, Metropolitan will receive additional technical assistance and support from the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Pillars Community Services, LaGrange Park, Berwyn
Phone:(708)795-4800
Fax:(708)795-4834
Email: mhernandez@pillarscommunity.org
Website: http://www.pillarscommunity.org
In FY09, Pillars will begin providing Safe From the Start services in several communities in Western Cook County. The Safe From the Start program at Pillars will be staffed by a coordinator and a full time therapist. The coordinator will be responsible for convening the SFS coalition in addition to conducting outreach and community and professional education on the effects of violence on children. The therapist will provide home and on site individual and family counseling in both English and Spanish.
South Suburban Family Shelter, Homewood
Phone:(708)371-6730
Fax:(708)371-6737
Email: kpopowicz@ssfs1.org
Website: http://www.ssfs1.org
Since July 2003, South Suburban Family Shelter has provided direct service to children and families who have been impacted by exposure to violence. Through the Safe From the Start grant, counselors provide infant/parent counseling sessions, children’s counseling, parenting classes, and adult and family counseling. The program staff includes a case manager and several bi-lingual staff that collaborate to provide cohesive service. The Safe From the Start program coordinator convenes the Safe From the Start coalition to improve service enhancement and knowledge of children’s exposure to violence. Additionally, program staff members conduct extensive, ongoing public awareness activities to increase community knowledge of children’s exposure to violence.
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago
Phone:(312)413-2626
Fax:(312)355-0356
Email: Schewepa@uic.edu
Website: http://www.uic.edu/orgs/violencecenter/
UIC will conduct process and outcome evaluations of Safe From the Start grantee programs in order to understand how grantees can improve their policies, protocols, and direct services so as to better serve children exposed to violence and their families. Assessment data from the SFS sites provides a deeper understanding of the families that seek services, the types of violence they have been exposed to and how services have impacted the families. Additionally, by utilizing collaborative case studies and feedback from appropriate local stakeholders, they will seek to identify best practices across the major interventions, understand the fit between interventions and the children, families, and community context, as well as document the strengths, challenges, system changes, lessons learned, and sustainability potential at each site. The evaluation project will enhance understanding of important components of intervention quality and effectiveness and facilitate program development, adaptation, and replication.
