The Center for the Study of Violence Against Children (CSVAC)

Center Initiatives and Priorities

Areas of High Priority-

Promote just, scientifically informed and compassionate decision-making on behalf of children involved in the child welfare, behavioral health, health and judicial systems through the use of and implementation of basic and applied research.
Establish the epidemiology of child trauma exposure in Kentucky
Empirically document the event specific phenomenon associated with diverse forms of violence and the impact of these events on the behavioral health of children and families.
Synthesize knowledge and technology from the fields of neuroscience, developmental psychology, child welfare, substance misuse and trauma to inform protocol development and the design of basic and applied research.

Areas of high priority-

Operate a living laboratory that develops and tests evidenced-based approaches to improve health and behavioral health outcomes for children
Establish provider practice patterns with regards to treating the behavioral health sequelae associated with violence against children.
Identifying barriers to the utilization of best practice approaches in the public and private behavioral health community
Transform provider practices by increasing the use of evidence based practices in work with children who are victimized by violence
Evaluating the effectiveness of various dissemination models aimed at transforming systems of care

Areas of high priority

Identify, develop adapt and study promising practices and evidence-based approaches for preventing violence against children
Develop working coalitions with public and private organizations dedicated to preventing violence against children in Kentucky and in the nation
Collaborate with national and international research and academic Centers working in the area of violence prevention
Provide expert consultation to media and other dissemination outlets to promote scientifically-based information and recommendations for action

Areas of high priority

Identify and analyze problems and gaps in public policy that may contribute to or incentivize violence against children
Collaborate with public policymakers, organizations, academic programs and research centers that address violence against children and its sequelae
Ongoing dissemination of policy-relevant research findings through development of white papers, model legislation, and other materials through presentations, website, new releases and other venues.
Provide data, reports, consultations and technical assistance to federal, state and regional policy makers on child maltreatment and its consequences to health, behavioral health, and social functioning;