Children who come to the attention of the juvenile justice system are a challenging and underserved population. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed resources to help juvenile justice professionals understand and provide trauma-focused services to these youth. These resources include tools and materials for building skills and increasing knowledge about childhood trauma to help judges, attorneys, law enforcement, probation officers, frontline residential staff, mental health personnel, and caregivers understand and respond to the needs of traumatized children. In addition to the NCTSN resources highlighted below, Justice System Professionals can learn more about creating trauma-informed Justice Systems in the Trauma-Informed Care section of this website.
Describes child and adolescent trauma exposure and psychosocial functioning among NCTSN care recipients in residential care.
Highlights what ten things juvenile court judges should know to best meet the needs of traumatized children who come into their system.
Discusses the effects physical abuse, neglect, and domestic violence have on young children. This webinar provides suggestions on how mental health professionals can work with the judicial system to insure these children receive the care and support they need to develop normally.
Offers some statistics about gang-involved youth and their exposure to traumatic events.
Presents techniques to use when interviewing children who may have been physically or sexually abused.
Outlines the impact of trauma on children's development, beliefs, and behaviors.
Describes the Child Development Community Policy Program.
Discusses the need for mental health professionals to work in collaboration with judges to create a trauma-informed program to help young children in the court.
Describes the purpose and design of the TARGET model of trauma-focused treatment.
Focuses on creating a trauma-informed law enforcement system.
Summarizes findings from focus groups.
Describes the impact of domestic violence on children. This video provides law enforcement officers with concrete information about what they can do when responding to the scene of a domestic violence call.