Strong Starts Court Initiative

The Strong Starts Court Initiative is a Family-Court based, specialized, intergenerational collaborative approach to handling abuse and neglect cases involving children birth to three years of age.

Even systems designed to protect and serve individuals and families can result in further harm and inequitable outcomes. The Center designs and implements evidence-based and trauma-informed programming to prevent such negative outcomes. The Center works to reduce and prevent system involvement and interrupt intergenerational cycles of trauma, especially for parents with very young children at a critical and vulnerable stage of brain development, through tailored interventions. The Strong Starts Court Initiative, based on the national Zero to Three Infant Toddler Court Team model, brings expertise in early child development and trauma to Family Court Child Welfare proceedings so that the court can become a catalyst for positive change in the lives of young children and their families.

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Publications & Digital Media

Label:Publication

Preserving Families Through Infant Toddler Court Teams: An Evaluation of New York State’s Strong Starts Court Initiative

by Jordan Conan and Jeffrey Sharlein

Infants and toddlers are overrepresented in the child welfare system and are more likely than older children to be removed from their original caregiver and placed in out-of-home care. According to this new evaluation, implementation of our Strong Starts Court Initiative in a New York City courtroom led to a decrease in removals from their original caregiver and was associated with an increase in children residing with that caregiver a year later.

Reducing Trauma, Evidence-Based Practices, Strengthening Families
Label:Publication

Helping the Youngest Start Life Strong

by Jeffrey Sharlein

Families in our Strong Starts Court Initiative, which supports young children and their families who are in New York City Family Court due to allegations of abuse or neglect, have fewer subsequent child welfare petitions than families not receiving enhanced support.

Strengthening Families
Label:Audio

In Practice | COVID-19 and the Challenge for Court-Involved Families

by Robert V. Wolf

Family Court, which addresses complex issues involving some of the most vulnerable populations, is not exempt from the effects that COVID-19 are having on court operations across the country, forcing many to close courthouses, reduce or delay hearings, or conduct business remotely.

Strengthening Families

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News

Starting Off Strong: Centering Parent-Child Relationships in Family Court

Family courts have an important role to play in breaking cycles of trauma. The Strong Starts Court Initiative shows how.

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Partners

Strong Starts is operated as a public/private partnership among the New York State Unified Court System, the Center for Justice Innovation, and funding from a mix of public and private sources. Social service and community service partners include dozens of community-based and government agencies.

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Publications Results

Preserving Families Through Infant Toddler Court Teams: An Evaluation of New York State’s Strong Starts Court Initiative

Helping the Youngest Start Life Strong

In Practice | COVID-19 and the Challenge for Court-Involved Families

News

Press Results

Starting Off Strong: Centering Parent-Child Relationships in Family Court

Looking to Implement a Program in Your Neighborhood?

Partners

Related Areas of Focus

We rely on the generosity of supporters to do the work we do.