Chicago Safe Start has worked on special projects.
A wide variety of initiatives have been developed and funded through the Chicago Safe Start Program including: Kid’s Space Initiative; Children’s Exposure to Violence Incubator Initiative; Chicago Youth Services Training Initiative; Community Response to CEV Initiative; Public Awareness Animated Video Initiative; Responder Training Video Initiative.
Kids Space Initiative
This initiative provided funding to Chicago Department of Public Health facilities to support purchasing new materials and equipment for child waiting areas. Staff received training on issues related to children’s exposure to violence and on creating welcoming spaces for children and caregivers. Read more…
Children’s Exposure to Violence (CEV) Incubator Initiative
This initiative provided funding to various system partners to integrate CEV awareness raising information and to support activities to change how systems respond to children and families exposed to violence. Read more…
Chicago Youth Services (CYS) Training Initiative
This initiative provided training for CYS-funded Head Start Centers to support identification and response to children exposed to violence. The training series was designed to teach Head Start providers about the impact of exposure to violence on young children, how to identify children exposed to violence, how to better respond to children exposed to violence, and how to train other staff members from Head Start Centers across the City of Chicago. Read more…
Bringing the Kids Back into Focus: Building A Community Response to Children’s Exposure to Violence
This initiative developed training curriculum to be used by trainers, professionals and para-professionals to increase awareness of the impacts of exposure to violence on young children. English language version is currently available. Spanish language version is in production. Read more…
Animated Video: Stories that Grown-ups Can Watch
This imitative developed the concept and lead work on an animated video and additional, informative video presentations to teach consumers about the issue and impact of exposure to violence on young children and ways to respond. This video is also useful to practitioners working with young children and families.
Responder Training Video
This initiative funded video developed primarily as a teaching tool for First Responders who come into contact with children and families exposed to violence. Video provides general awareness of the issue and offers instruction on the response protocol for the police. Video is also designed to be a teaching tool for practitioners and consumers. Read more…
