Strong Starts Court Initiative

The Strong Starts Court Initiative enhances the capacity of Family Court to bring positive changes to court-involved babies and their families.

The initiative promotes a shift from an adversarial to a collaborative approach in addressing the needs of families. Infants and parents receive customized service plans and access to a network of community-based service providers, including child development services, adult development services, and services required for family stability.

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Publications & Digital Media

Audio
In Practice: COVID-19 and the Challenge for Court-Involved Families

by Robert V. Wolf

Family Court, which addresses complex issues involving some of the most vulnerable populations, is not exempt from the effects that COVID-19 are having on court operations across the country, forcing many to close courthouses, reduce or delay hearings, or conduct business remotely.

Strengthening Families
Publication
Meeting the Needs of Infants in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases: A Process Evaluation of the Strong Starts Court Initiative

by Josephine Hahn

This report is a process evaluation designed to document the first nine months of the Strong Starts Court Initiative, a collaborative problem-solving approach for infants (three years or younger) and families involved in child abuse and neglect cases in Bronx Family Court.

Parent Support, Youth Initiatives, Supporting Child Victims
Audio
Supervised Visitation: The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's Unique Approach

Katheryn Lotsos and Stephen Forrester from the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children discuss their organization’s approach to supervised visitation. The Society's therapeutic model includes safety planning, parent education classes, special training for the professionals supervising the visits, and close collaboration with the courts.

Parent Support, Supporting Child Victims