Safe Passages, Early Childhood: The Oakland Early Childhood Initiative

Safe Passages' Early Childhood Initiative provides services for children aged 0-5 who have been exposed or are at risk of exposure to violence. Key components of the strategy are mental health consultations, parent-infant psychotherapy, outreach and public awareness, and the Second Step Violence Prevention Curriculum, which encourages the development of peaceful problem-solving skills.

The goal of Safe Passages' Early Childhood Initiative is to reduce the impact of violence on young children and to encourage the development of positive social skills and healthy family environments in order to prevent future violence.

In 2004-2005, 6,569 children were taught the Second Step Violence Prevention/Social Skills curriculum at 77 sites, including all of Oakland's Head Start Centers, the Oakland Unified School District Early Education Centers, and private centers in Alameda County. In addition, 1,398 children and families received mental health consultation services, while 230 families received Parent-Infant-Psychotherapy sessions. After participating in the program, 78% of participants reported discussing their feelings every day with their children, compared to 61% before participation. 63% of parents reported spending one hour or more per day doing educational activities with their children, compared to 27% before participation.