To: CITY EDITORS

Contact: Jim Bray of Chicago Metropolis 2020, +1-312-332-8131

Child Protection Division To Distribute 7,500 DVDs And Workbooks

CHICAGO, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Parents and professionals working with childhood trauma victims in Illinois, are using a new, cleverly animated cartoon and coloring book to comfort and begin a discussion with young children struggling to cope with the violence in their lives.

Inside Him is a DVD that tells the story of a child consumed with fear and worry but not knowing how to ease those anxieties or where to turn for help. Parents and other caregivers, who may not recognize the symptoms of trauma, can watch the cartoon with troubled children and can use an accompanying coloring/activity book to help children talk about their emotions and ask questions. The materials also identify regional centers where parents can receive additional help.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Patricia Martin, who is the presiding judge of the Child Protection Division, has helped get the "Inside Him" DVD into the hands of interested parents and caregivers.

"Many of the children and families who come to our court have been victims of or witnesses to violence in their homes or their communities," Judge Martin said. "Too often, we underestimate the psychological consequence of exposure to violence. We want to help families understand what a substantial impact violence can have on a child's life, how to recognize signs of emotional trouble and how to relieve that emotional pain."

The DVD now plays on closed circuit television in the 14 waiting rooms outside courtrooms used by the Child Protection Division of the Cook County Courts at 2245 West Ogden Avenue in Chicago. Adult caregivers and their children waiting for court proceedings can watch the cartoon in the waiting room and take copies of the DVD and coloring book home with them. About 7,500 copies of the "Inside Him" DVD will be made available to families over the course of several months.

Research has provided compelling evidence of the physiological impact of violence on the brains of young children, both as victims and as witnesses, which can have long-term consequences on their health and well-being.

"Unless it is recognized and treated, the damage caused by violence to children can last long after bruises fade and bones heal," said Paula Wolff, Senior Executive of Chicago Metropolis 2020 and Chair of the Illinois Childhood Trauma Coalition. "The damage isn't limited to victims of physical abuse. Children witnessing violence in their homes and neighborhoods can also be traumatized. The emotional scars can last a lifetime with a variety of harmful consequences, including failure in school, and for many, later involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems."

The Cook County distribution was made possible by a $20,000 Court Improvement Program grant, a federally funded program administered by the Illinois State Supreme Court. The overall development of the project was initiated by a collaboration, which included the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Chicago Safe Start and Chicago Metropolis 2020. IllinoisSafe from the Start sites served as the initial distribution sites across Illinois. Safe from the Start provides comprehensive support for young children (ages 0-5) who have been exposed to violence. There are 11 sites in Illinois, four of which serve the Chicago region.

"The Cook County court system also assisted with training to help judges, prosecutors, public guardians and others identify signs that children may be having difficulty dealing with trauma and violence in their lives," said Gene Griffin, Clinical Director of the Illinois Childhood Trauma Coalition. "This could even change the decision the court might make about how to deal with a case. If this pilot program is successful, we hope to offer similar training and materials to court personnel throughout Illinois."

"A DVD and coloring book are not going to wipe away the trauma caused to children who have witnessed awful violence in their homes or have seen their classmates injured or killed by gunfire," said Dr. Carl Bell, President and CEO of the Community Mental Health Council and Foundation and a clinical professor of psychiatry and public health at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "However, these materials can help caring adults respond to the warning signs and symptoms of trauma. And, by providing children with 'psychological first aid,' using this as an intervention could protect children from suffering from the emotional and psychological issues secondary to their exposure to violence."

In addition to "Inside Him," a second DVD and coloring book are being developed to help caregivers identify and help relieve signs of insecurity resulting from exposure to violence.

News media interested in receiving a copy of the "Inside Him" material should contact Jim Bray at 312-332-8131 or by e-mail at info@cm2020.org.

About Chicago Metropolis 2020

Chicago Metropolis 2020 is a nonprofit civic organization created in 1999 by The Commercial Club of Chicago to promote long-term planning, better regional cooperation, and smart investments in the Chicago region and its people.

About the Illinois Childhood Trauma Coalition

More than 40 public and private organizations compose the Illinois Childhood Trauma Coalition. It was formed in 2005 to raise awareness about childhood trauma, promote a system for the treatment of childhood trauma, and provide training on childhood trauma to professionals who work with children. It does not provide direct services to children and families.

On the Web: http://www.chicagometropolis2020.org/

SOURCE Chicago Metropolis 2020

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