SHIELD PROGRAM Strategic Home Intervention & Early Leadership Development

1. SHIELD PROGRAMStrategic Home Intervention & Early Leadership Development • Westminster, CA • Population of 86,000 • 26% Vietnamese American • 24% Latino • 50% White or “other” • Located in west Orange County

2. Background • In 1996, Westminster P.D. initiated a new domestic violence program known as the Family Protection Unit. • The effects of domestic violence on children arose as an issue of concern. • We broadened our sphere of concern to include violence generally, as well as substance abuse and neglect.

3. Our Primary Concerns • Children as previously unrecognized victims. • Children as potential future victims. • Children as potential future offenders.

4. What Caught Our Attention • During the 1990’s, children in Westminster were exposed to significant levels of gang violence, family violence and substance abuse (an accumulation of risk). • By the year 2010, we predicted a 67% increase in the number of 15 – 19 year olds in Westminster.

5. S.H.I.E.L.D. • Recognizes officers regularly encounter children living in high risk environments and leverages this opportunity to act as “sentinels” or “forward observers” in the child protection system. • Connects youth and their families to mental health, social and support services.

6. S.H.I.E.L.D. • Two key components to S.H.I.E.L.D. • Identification and referral by patrol officers. • The case is reviewed by a multidisciplinary team which recommends and implements an intervention strategy.

7. S.H.I.E.L.D. • Officer required by policy to obtain the name, age and school attended of each child who has been exposed to a specified event or is living where these events are occurring. • This information is forwarded to the SHIELD Officer.

8. S.H.I.E.L.D. • SHIELD Officer reviews the referrals to determine appropriateness for the program. A risk assessment tool is used to facilitate this process. • If appropriate, the officer prepares a referral report for use by the multidisciplinary team. • The SHIELD officer contacts the family.

9. S.H.I.E.L.D. • The multidisciplinary team is known as the “Youth and Family Resource Team.” • Comprised of professionals as authorized by CA Code (i.e.. Pupil Personnel Administrator, school nurse, counseling staff, social worker, police, etc.)

10. Youth and Family Resource Team • Team considers a range of school and community based treatment options. • Team recommends a strategy. • Case management assigned to one agency. • Periodic progress reports to the Team.

11. Program Strengths • Fills a gap in service to youth and their families. • Coordinates the provision of services to families. • Leverages existing community resources.

12. Program Weaknesses • No evaluation of program effectiveness at this point. • Occasional failure to adhere to process requirements. • Multi-cultural and bilingual services are limited. • No established system for immediate call-out (crisis response).

13. Conclusion • SHIELD is one model of partnership developed to protect children from the effects of violence and other risks. • Other models exist around the country. • Each program must be structured to fit community needs and assets. This is a key tenet of community policing.

14. Additional Information • http://www.safefromthestart.org/ • http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/pubs/delinq.html • http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/about/press/ojp000229.html • http://info.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/CDCP/ • http://www.nccev.org/safe_start.html • http://www.childrensdefense.org/