The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60711

Rachel Davis, MSW and Larry Cohen, MSW. Prevention Institute, 265 29th Street, Oakland, CA 94611, 510-444-7738, rachel@preventioninstitute.org

Violence is increasingly recognized as a major public health concern. While not traditionally viewed as a young child’s issue—outside the scope of child abuse—there is a role for attention to violence prevention with this population group. Youth violence prevention practitioners have long urged that we “start earlier,” and a great amount of emerging research shows the importance of positive early childhood experiences and healthy environments in preventing children’s later involvement in violence.

The research for First Steps: Taking Action Early to Prevent Violence, synthesizes much of the evidence linking violence and early childhood development. First Steps was informed by literature reviews and interviews with practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and administrators, making it an invaluable resource for public health advocates trying to plan violence prevention strategies that can impact young children and their families.

The report was reviewed by experts in violence prevention, child development, law enforcement, and other related disciplines, and presents a strategy framework, best practices, and fifteen concrete recommendations, focusing on areas such as family support, reduction of exposure to violence, appropriate play and entertainment, gun access, interdisciplinary collaboration, and school readiness. The report calls attention to the need to not only reduce risk factors, but also build community and individual resilience.

Protecting youth from violence requires changes in policy and organizational practices. First Steps can help policy makers and practitioners, who are dedicated to the health and well being of young children, make informed, research-based decisions on behalf of our youngest citizens.

Learning Objectives:

• Be able to delineate specific activities as part of a comprehensive violence prevention approach for young children and their families.
• Understand the relationship between early child development and violence prevention.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.