Children's Advocacy Center of Erie CountyChildren's Advocacy Center of Erie County
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Safe Start:
 Promising Approaches Program

Safe Start is for children ages 12 and under who have experienced violence directly or witnessed it occurring to someone else.  This includes children who were physically or sexually abused, witnessed domestic violence, witnessed or experienced any other type of violent crime.   We know that young children who have been exposed to violence are at risk for future problems.  National studies show that these children are 4-5 times likely to experience emotional concerns, speech delays, learning difficulties and other problems.  The Safe Start Program is designed to help carefully track the development of children, identify problems early, and help the family guide the child to healthy future development.

Children receive developmental screenings every 6 months for 2 years.  Screenings are completed and reviewed by a team of professionals who look at speech, language, motor, social, emotional and learning development.   Results are shared with the parent and recommendations or referrals are made as needed.   Half of the children will be invited into a 4-5 month special treatment program, which includes home visits, individual and family counseling and a parent group.  All services are free and confidential.

Caregivers receive regular information on the child’s development with recommendations as needed, assistance with transportation if needed to permit participation in the project, thank you gift certificates that recognize the parent’s time and effort in being in the project, and feedback from the developmental screenings on how the children are developing.  An informative 12 week parent group and/or counseling services if invited into the treatment program are also offered. 

The Children’s Advocacy Center, the Achievement Center, Edinboro University, the Crime Victim’s Center and the Office of Children & Youth partner in this program.  

For more information, contact Robin Taylor, Project Director of the Safe Start Promising Approaches Program at the Children’s Advocacy Center, at (814) 451-0202 x228 or robin.taylor@cacerie.org