Program Highlights 2002 - 2007

• About 75% of the cases referred are for domestic violence, other 25% is school and community violence.
• About 25-30% of children referred are participating (voluntary)
• According to William & Mary evaluation, participating families are much less likely to report a repeat incidence of violence and the caregivers report a high awareness of how exposure to violence harms children.
• Participating children have shown improvements such as reduced symptoms (depression, sleeping problems, physical complaints, nervousness) and have improved their skills at managing anger and performing in school.
• Program statistics show significant decrease in repeat referrals for families who participate in program.
• Participated in events such as Child Fair, Bay Days, International Children’s Festival, Kids Fun Day at Ft. Monroe, co-sponsored Community Forum for healthcare providers, PTA health fairs, neighborhood events, etc.
• Received media coverage in Tidewater Parent, Daily Press and WVEC TV-13
• Web site receives an average of 625 unique visitors per month
• Developed client forms, outcome measurements, education materials, presentations, etc. regarding effects of children witnessing violence and how to help them live violence-free lives
• Changes in community attitudes based on presentations – increased awareness of how exposure to violence harms children and for adults to change behavior to reduce children’s exposure to violence.
• Formed community partnerships to provide school uniforms and school supplies to eligible families
•  Selected as one of 11 teams in US to participate in first PREVENT Institute offered by CDC for improving violence prevention efforts. Started Club PREVENT at Lincoln Park and that will continue in Summer 2008.
• Selected by grant manager for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a successful model of community relations and communications/marketing to attend Media Relations Training in Philadelphia, summer 2006
•  Implemented Teen Support Group.
• Implemented individual and group art therapy
• Received community cash donations
• Received $40,000 grant from Avon Foundation and $20,000 from Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation toward sustainability of project
• Received VSDVVF grant for 2-years, $89,600, to expand assessment and art therapy services
• Selected as national semi-finalist for Mary Byron Foundation innovation award
• Received permanent loan of employee for 24-hours/week from Hampton Health Department
• Received tentative approval from Hampton Newport News Community Services Board to provide salary for an administrative assistant to project
• Increased intern participation to help with engagement, continuum of care, teen group facilitation
• Selected as a practicum site for EVMS student working on MPH to evaluate program results related to participating children’s symptoms before and after treatment

Statistics (August 2002 to January 2007)(unduplicated)

• Families referred 3,933
• Children referred 6,504
• Children participating 1,436
• Families participating 810
• Referrals to treatment/services 1,744 +
• Community Education (August 2002 to January 2007)
  • Presentations made 153
  • Events participated in 68
• Community members directly reached through presentations/events 10,300
• Percent of adult participants at presentations who indicate they plan to change their behavior to support youth living violence-free lives based on what they learned about children witnessing violence 92%