1. Responding to Domestic Violence: CII’s Integrated Wellness Approach to Group Treatment for Adult Survivors and Their Children Leslie Anne Ross, Psy.D. Children’s Institute, Inc.

2. 120629 CII business plan_DRAFTTBG Safety and stabilization Reduced adverse affects of trauma Improved functioning Ability to cope with past, present and future adversity Connection to a strong, stable support system Healthy relationships Goal-directed behavior Educational/occupational achievement Ability to envision a positive future RECOVERY from adverse childhood experiences READINESS for success in school, work, and life RESILIENCY and prevention CII achieves this mission by offering a strategic, interrelated set of services and supports that contribute to CII’s organization-wide outcomes CII helps children in Los Angeles’ most challenged communities heal from the trauma of family and community violence, build the confidence and skills to break through the barriers of poverty, and grow up to lead healthy, productive lives ITCT-A and CII’s Three Rs

3. 120629 CII business plan_DRAFTTBG Many children in Los Angeles grow up in extremely difficult circumstances, facing abuse, neglect, poverty, and violence in their families and communities of children in foster care in California live in L.A. County 3 referrals to Child Welfare Services are made every month in L.A. County, primarily for allegations of neglect or abuse 2 of children in some L.A. middle schools have been victims or witnesses of violent crime 1 Source: 1) Stein, B.D., Jaycox, L.H., Kataoka, S.H., Rhodes, H.J., & Vestal, K.D. 2003. “Prevalence of child and adolescent exposure to community violence.” Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 6(4), 247-264; 2) County of Los Angeles, Department of Children and Family Services. (February 2011); 3) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2010); California Department of Social Services and University of California, Berkeley (2011); Needell et al (2011)

4. Children & DV Children living with domestic violence often have complicated feelings about their parents Domestic violence affects every child. However, each child reacts in a different way Children often worry that they are responsible for the violence in their homes

5.  This treatment approach is: A model that works to resolve the impact of domestic violence and develop skills that support resilience, coping and wellness.  The focus of the curriculum is: On strategies that have been tested across multiple years in diverse settings with mothers and children in domestic violence shelters and outpatient facilities.  The methods used involve: Somatic, affective, wellness, and cognitive processes that are integrated to support whole person learning. Responding to Domestic Violence: CII’s “Whole Person” Approach

6. Impact of Exposure to Domestic Violence on Children and Adults Posttraumatic stress disorder Depression Substance abuse Behavioral problems Anxiety Traumatic grief Suicidal ideation Nightmares Academic/Job difficulties Poor relationships Problems with attachment And Systems of Meaning

7. ERIN DV Families: Children 72% of the clients had children Percent of homes that had children ages: 4.6% of clients were pregnant at the time of the abuse Infants: 13% 1-2 years: 23% 3-4 years: 20% 5-7 years: 26% 8-10 years: 17% Teens ages 11-18 years: 24%

8. 20% of DV Children Ages 5-10 Meet Diagnostic criteria for PTSD 20% of DV Children Ages 5-10 report: “I do things to hurt other people” 40% of DV Children Ages 5-10 report: “I think about dying or being dead” How does DV Impact Children?

9. “I have seen my father get arrested” (step-father, mother’s boyfriend, etc.) 84% of children reported witnessing the perpetrator being arrested by police More than ½ of all children and adolescents witnessed police coming to their home 33% of children and 51% of adolescents have witnessed their father be arrested by police

10. MOTHERS – Prior Trauma Sexual abuse as a child: 40% Sexual assault as an adult: 24% Physical abuse as a child: 32% Physical assault as an adult: 44% 37% of women witnessed their father hit their mother as a child 47% of women witnessed their parents constantly arguing 40% of women had parents who also hit their siblings

11. Resources & Contact Information Children ’ s Institute Inc. www.childrensinstitute.org National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) www.NCTSN.org A Thousand Joys www.athousandjoys.org Leslie Anne Ross, Psy.D. lross@childrensinstitute.org Follow me: @LeslieAnneRoss