Programs

Child Development – Community Policing Program (CD-CP)

The primary mission of the Child Development – Community Policing Program (CD-CP) is to break the cycle of violence and help to heal the emotional wounds that chronic exposure to violence inflicts on children, families and communities.

The program is a unique and successful community collaboration among law enforcement, juvenile justice, domestic violence, medical and mental health professionals, school personnel, child welfare personnel, community agencies and others. The program was conceived by the Yale Child Study Center and launched in 1991 in partnership with the City of New Haven and the New Haven Department of Police Service.

The CD-CP Program coordinates the efforts of police officers, mental health clinicians, probation officers, educators, domestic violence advocates, child protective services, court personnel and others. Through the success of its training programs and intervention methodology, the CD-CP Program is a proven model that has been replicated around the country. CD-CP clinicians and other professionals at the Yale Child Study Center – under the auspices of the NCCEV – provide training, technical assistance and consultation to a wide range of communities across the nation.

For more information on the program and replication sites, please see Child Development – Community Policing Program (CD-CP).

Safe Start Initiative

The Safe Start Initiative, a national demonstration project of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, is designed to prevent and reduce the impact of family and community violence on young children by helping communities develop comprehensive and cohesive service delivery systems.

The National Center for Children Exposed to Violence (NCCEV) is a training and technical provider for this five and one-half year initiative. Through training, technical assistance and consultation by the National Center, the Safe Start demonstration sites expand existing partnerships among a variety of service providers. These include early childhood education and development, health, mental health, family support, domestic violence, substance abuse prevention and treatment, crisis intervention, child welfare, law enforcement, court systems and legal services.

Safe Start communities strive not only to develop and constantly improve the services provided to children who have been exposed to violence, but also to heighten public and professional awareness of the complex problems faced by these children and their families. For more information, please see Safe Start Initiative.