Topic: Place-based Initiatives (Child & Adolescent)

Definition for Place-based Initiatives (Child & Adolescent):

Place-based Initiatives (Child & Adolescent) are defined by the CEBC as initiatives designed specifically to work across multiple sectors within neighborhoods or communities to prevent and/or address child maltreatment. Place-based initiatives seek to address the collective problems of families and communities at a local level, usually involving a focus on neighborhood-strengthening. While traditional interventions are person-based approaches, which focus on directly aiding an individual person or family with the problem regardless of the geographical location that they live, place-based initiatives focus instead on the entire social and physical environment in a particular geographic area, rather than the individual needs of those who live there.

Place-based initiatives use community-based strategies to expand formal and informal resources and establish a normative cultural context capable of fostering collective responsibility for positive child development. Place-based initiatives utilize approaches that incorporate the community’s context, culture, strengths, and resources, as well as strategies that are tailored to local circumstances and needs.

• Target population: Communities that are at risk for or show high levels of child maltreatment or endangerment
• Services/types that fit: Community- or neighborhood-level programs that are aimed at creating supportive communities with residents that share a collective responsibility to protect children from harm and expanding the range of services and instrumental supports directly available to parents in the community
• Delivered by: Organizations that promote child and family well-being in the context of utilizing collaborative community strategies that address child abuse and neglect through programs that promote positive parenting while considering the content, culture, and strengths of the neighborhood/community that the family resides
• In order to be included: Program must focus at the community or neighborhood level and target outcomes related to family and child well-being, such as community safety, economic competitiveness, housing, employment, education, environmental sustainability, neighborhood improvement, transportation, and health and fitness.
• In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that examines maltreatment-related outcomes, such as abuse and neglect reports and abuse-related parenting behaviors, either observed or self-reported.