START STRONG Healthy Relationship Programming

and Trauma-Informed Practice

National Coalition for Sexual Health

September 7, 2017

Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen Relationships

•Four years: Nov 2008 – Nov 2012

• $18 million investment in 11 communities

•Funded by Robert Wood Johnson

Foundation and Blue Shield of California

Foundation

•Focus on 11-14 year old youth

Boston, MA

Providence, RIBronx, NY

Bridgeport, CT

Indianapolis, IN

Atlanta, GA

Wichita, KS

Boise, ID

Los Angeles, CA

Oakland, CA

Austin, TX

Indiana University Health

Boston Public Health Commission

RYASAP

Jane Fonda Center, Emory University

Catholic Charities

SafePlace

Peace Over Violence

Sojourner House

Family Violence Law Center

Bronx-Lebanon Hospital

Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence

The Communities of Start Strong

Insert Fenton Website Slide

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START STRONG’S CORE COMPONENTS

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www.startstrongparents.org

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Engaging Men: Invite Not Indict

In 2000, we asked men what they were willing (and not willing) to do about domestic violence:

• National poll showed a willingness to do something:– Talk to children about healthy relationships (#1)– Contribute money– Call your legislator

The Wrong Way Around

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMrkmoGVqbY

Teach Early

https://youtu.be/Rp20J8lPy-o

DIGITALCOURAGE

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Sound Relationships Nutrition Label

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http://realrobothigh.com

and vote on whether other stories describe healthy or unhealthy relationships here

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RTI International

RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute. www.rti.org

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Evaluation

PRACTICE CHANGES SUSTAINED

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Universal TDV Targeted TDV School staff training Parent education on TDV

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of

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mp

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Practice Change Area

TDV Prevention Practice Before, During and After Start Strong

Pre-Start Strong

At Start Strong finish

Post-Start Strong

• Sustained impact on

attitudes

Lower acceptance of teen

dating violence

More positive attitudes

toward gender equality

LONG-TERM RESULTS

• High-risk Start Strong students with prior TDV

experiences showed more positive results on some

outcomes than students who did not report TDV

victimization or perpetration.

• For at least one follow-up wave, high-risk

students reported:

Less perpetration of bullying

More positive school climate

More positive attitudes towards gender equality

More parent-child communication

HIGH-RISK STUDENTS

• Prevention in middle school matters

• Parent-child communication about relationships is important.

• Need to understand middle schoolers, especially those who experience TDV at a young age

• Greater emphasis needed on teacher engagement

CONCLUSIONS

TRAUMA

58% of youth 17 years and

under exposed to violence

in the home, school, and

community.(NatCEV 20015)

The #1 factor in

helping children

heal from

trauma is the

presence of a

caring,

consistent

adult.

Everybody Needs Somebody

Changing Minds "Chad"

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Thank you!

www.StartStrongTeens.org

www.CoachesCorner.org

www.ChangingMindsNow.org