Safe Start, Department of Human Services, Allegheny County

Safe Start

Safe Start, a part of the DHS Office of Community Services is a program dedicated to improving outcomes for children who witness violence either in their homes or communities. Safe Start provides trainings to professionals and families about how to recognize the effect witnessing violence has on young children and how to assist them in processing their responses. These trainings are based on the Safe Havens model developed by the Fred Rogers Company (formerly Family Communications, Inc.); Safety Kids, Inc.'s program Charlie Check-First and the American Psychological Association's ACT: Raising Safe Kids. Additionally, Safe Start Behavioral Health staff provides consultation and collaboration with program sites where an agreement has been reached to meet the individual needs of parents and families related to child development and their children’s exposure to violence as indicated through assessments and referrals.

Anti-luring Tips
Helpful suggestions for children and their parents about how to be aware and stay safe in a neighborhood setting.

New Helping Children Cope with Violence - What Parents Can Do
In light of recent national tragedies the National Institute of Mental Health released this document to provide information to parents.

Training Programs

Parent Pages

Newsletters

Safe Havens , produced by the Fred Rogers Company (formerly Family Communications, Inc)
Check-First, developed by Safety Kids, Inc., and other safety trainings for children, teachers, and parents
ACT: Raising Safe Kids, developed by the American Psychological Association
Stress management for parents and children
Domestic Violence
Effects of violence on children
Children and domestic violence
Helping children following traumatic events
Grief and loss in children
Separation and loss
Attachment in children
Teaching children to self-manage
Taking good care of yourself
Preparing your child for kindergarten
Communication Skills in Families
Communicating with your child
Anger management
Dealing with difficult people

Safe Start Parent Pages
These one-page pdf documents contain tips for parents.

Bedtime Battles
Building a Relationship with your Child's Teacher
Consistency
Creating Attitutes of Gratitude
Dealing with Death for a Small Child
Does My Child Need Help?
Halloween is Scary!
Hands Are Not for Hitting
Helping a Child Deal with Angry Feelings
Holidays are Fun and Sometimes Overwhelming!
I'm Bigger Now, I am Four
I'm Three, Oh My!
I'm Two, Wow!
Kindergarten Readiness
Morning Arrival and Evening Pick-up/ Social Skill Practice
Nighttime Fears
Nurturing Ideas
Paying Attention
Problem Solving Ideas
Transitions
What Parents Can do to Decrease Exposure to Media Violence
Why Telling A Child To “Be Good” Sometimes Doesn’t Work

Newsletters - ACT Raising Safe Kids
All documents below are in pdf format.

Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 4-2013
Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 2-2013

Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 12-2012
Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 10-2012
Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 8-2012
Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 6-2012
Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 4-2012
Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 2-2012

Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 12-2011
Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 10-2011
Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 8-2011
Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 6-2011
Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 4-2011
Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 2-2011

Parents Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 12-2010
Parents Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 10-2010
Parents Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 8-2010
Parents Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 6-2010
Parents Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 4-2010
Parents Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 2-2010

Raising Safe Kids - Newsletter 12-2009