This presentation focuses on the importance of forging partnerships between MCH practitioners and schools, in order to reduce and prevent school violence. Violence is the 2nd leading cause of death for young people in America . School violence, while relatively low compared to other types of violence that children are exposed to, remains a serious concern for students, parents, teachers, and other health and education providers.
Children’s Safety Network (CSN) developed a series of factsheets on school violence prevention for the Maternal and Child Health audience. Funded by the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau, CSN is a group of resource centers that assists states, communities and others to prevent child and adolescent injuries. The factsheets outline the scope of the problem, describe associated risk and resiliency factors, and the interrelationships between different kinds of violence. The factsheets also describe the role of MCH practitioners in preventing school violence, and provide them with examples of successful strategies and policies, along with concrete tools and methodologies for developing a comprehensive prevention plan.
MCH practitioners, because of their expert role in the community, and connections to state health departments, school health centers, and local service providers, are well positioned to play a key role in advancing school violence prevention efforts.
This presentation highlights the importance of a multi-faceted approach to school violence prevention, specifies ways MCH practitioners can get involved, and describes tools such as the factsheets and the Spectrum of Prevention, that practitioners can use to map a comprehensive strategy.
Learning Objectives: Participants will 1) Learn about the various roles that MCH practitioners can play in school violence prevention efforts; 2) Understand how MCH involvement can strengthen these violence prevention initiatives; and 3) Be able to utilize tools such as the factsheets and the Spectrum of Prevention to map a comprehensive school violence prevention strategy.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Violence Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.