Below is a release on a study appearing in the October issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

For Release: Monday, September 21, 2009, 12:01 am (ET)

TAKING VIOLENCE PREVENTION TO THE STREETS

Risk factors for family and community violence have been addressed by pediatricians with “Connected Kids: Safe, Strong, Secure,” a clinic-based violence prevention curriculum developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2006. This evidence-based program includes guidance and materials on 21 violence-related topics from birth through 21 years of age. The study, “Connected Kids at Head Start: Taking Office-Based Violence Prevention to the Community,” assesses the appropriateness of using Connected Kids at community centers such as Head Start. To determine this, eight 90-minute focus groups were conducted with 38 family advocates and 25 parents. Study authors found that both parents and family advocates agreed that bringing Connected Kids to Head Start locations would benefit parents and children, although the topic of gun safety evoked different responses between urban and suburban focus groups. With some modifications, bringing Connected Kids from the pediatrician’s office to the community can effectively teach families violence prevention.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.