The Packard Handbooks

A Series About Children Exposed to Domestic Violence

With generous funding from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, four user-friendly handbooks were developed for four front-line groups. The material in each handbook underwent a rigorous review process to increase their functional value. The Packard Foundation has taken a special interest in illuminating the impact of domestic violence on families and children. Because the majority of children exposed to domestic violence do not have access to services through traditional avenues such as women's shelters, new stategies for identifying and serving these children in other venues must be developed. Professionals who have regular contact with families and children, including teachers and child care workers, should understand domestic violence and its impact on children. Our goal in producing the Packard handbooks was to put the issue of child exposure to domestic violence on the agendas of early childhood educators, teachers, police and youth justice workers. The tremendous feedback received tells us we were successful.

All four of the handbooks are available for download at no cost but may also be ordered from the Centre.

Youth Exposed to Domestic Violence: A Handbook for the Juvenile Justice System to Enhance Assessment and Intervention Strategies for Youth from Violent Homes
by Linda Baker & Peter Jaffe (2003)

In 30 pages, everything you need to know to better understand the needs of children who grew up in violent homes. They may be victims of violence, witnesses to violence, perpetrators of violence in the home, or involved in abusive relationships. A youth can be all four. Topics addressed include signs a youth is having difficulty, screening for exposure to violence, responding to disclosures, risk reduction, and promising practices. We were happy to partner with the Family Violence Department of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: A Teacher's Handbook to Increase Understanding and Improve Community Responses
by Linda Baker, Peter Jaffe, Lynda Ashbourne & Janet Carter (2002)

This 26-page resource helps educators understand how violence affects children at different ages, what teachers may see in the classroom, recognizing thge signs students may display when they are having difficulties, teaching strategies to support children and handle challenging behaviours, handling parent-attended events, and supporting students who disclose. This project was a partnership with the Family Violence Prevention Fund and the National Education Association.

Children Exposed to Violence: A Handbook for Police Trainers to Increase Understanding and Improve Community Responses
by Linda Baker, Peter Jaffe, Steven Berkowitz & Miriam Berkman (2002)

A train-the-trainer manual. Topics addressed include understanding the needs of children, risk reduction and safety planning, and issues related to dual arrest. Features include case examples, "at-a-glance" information, community resources, answers to frequently asked questions and references. This manual was a partnership with the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence at the Yale University School of Medicine.

Also available: an interactive CD-ROM for individual study or training workshops.

Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: An Early Childhood Educator's Handbook to Increase Understanding and Improve Community Responses
by Linda Baker, Peter Jaffe & Lynda Ashbourne (2002)

A concise summary of key information relevant for front-line staff in child care and early childhood educational settings. Topics addressed include how domestic violence impacts infants and young children, strategies for challenging behaviours you might see in the classroom, and special contingencies for when the family is in a shelter. Includes a pamphlet for parents, in both Enhlish and Spanish. This project was a partnership with the Family Violence Prevention Fund.

Ordering Information

Copies of the Packard handbooks are available for $25.00 each plus the cost of postage and handling. Orders must be pre-paid. We accept credit card purchases. See our Publication Order Form for details.

On-site Training

Training is available at your location. Contact Karen Rhiger for more information.