National Evaluation of the Safe Start Demonstration Project

National Evaluation of the Safe Start Demonstration Project

Children and violence--United States

Mary M. Hyde, Yvette Lamb, Sonia S. Arteaga, David Chavis

Best Practices in Mental Health

Vol. 4

No. 1

2008

The Follmer Group

Journal article

English

United States

Restricted Access

This article summarizes key findings from the national evaluation of the Safe Start Demonstration Project. As part of Safe Start, local mental health systems and practitioners played essential roles in protecting young children from the impact of exposure to violence. Both crisis circumstances (e.g., a domestic violence incident) and noncrisis circumstances (e.g., ongoing mental health treatment) are opportunities for mental health practitioners to access children exposed to violence and address the negative consequences often associated with exposure. One Safe Start grantee found that family and child functioning improved and violence ended when families participated in a crisis intervention provided by clinicians. Three grantees found evidence that therapeutic and family support services reduced the impact of exposure to violence on children. Community partnerships were a critical component of the Safe Start services that demonstrated positive mental health outcomes for children who have been exposed to violence and their families. Furthermore, successful mental health interventions incorporated cross-disciplinary strategies and practices that integrated and sequenced services so that all family members and their multiple needs were supported. In addressing the needs of families experiencing violence, mental health practitioners need to consider the potential value of partnering with other service providers in the community and providing their services within the context of more comprehensive interventions.

Haley Lesemann