UK Establishes Center to Study Violence Against Children
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 12, 2007) − University of Kentucky Board of Trustees established
the Center for the Study of Violence Against
Children in the College of Social Work. The
translational research center combines clinical practice, research and training on child and
family violence in an effort to address the detrimental effect of violence against children in
the Commonwealth, as well as the nation.
The Center for the Study of Violence Against Children (CSVAC) is dedicated to the enhancement of the health and well-being of children and their families through research, service and dissemination of information about child abuse and trauma.
The center’s primary mission will be to develop, assimilate and disseminate knowledge and best practices that will contribute to reducing and ending violence against children and the effects of that violence across the life cycle.
“UK is considered a national leader in research and clinical practice in the fight against child abuse and trauma," said Kay Hoffman, dean of the UK College of Social Work. "We are excited to receive the university's backing in our quest to improve child well-being in the Commonwealth."
Ginny Sprang, the Buckhorn Professor of Child Welfare and Children’s Mental Health, an associate professor with a joint appointment in the College of Social Work and the Department of Psychiatry, will serve as director of CSVAC. James Clark, the Constance Wilson Professor of Mental Health, associate dean for research in the College of Social Work and an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry; Otto Kaak, a professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Department of Psychiatry; and Allen Brenzel, chair of the Child and Adolescent Division in the Department of Psychiatry and associate professor of pediatrics, will serve as associate directors for the center, which employs a multidisciplinary group of scientists and clinicians. CSVAC personnel are actively engaged in basic and applied research investigations, program development and evaluation, clinical technology design, implementation, testing, dissemination and public policy consultation.
The statistics relating to child welfare are disturbing. An estimated 3 million children have been reported as alleged victims of child maltreatment, with the total number of reports nationwide increasing 41 percent since 1988. In Kentucky, the state has the 7th highest rate of maltreatment-related fatalities.
CSVAC aims to combat these child welfare problems using a combination of clinical practice, research and training on child and family violence. Employing the “clinical scientist” model of translational research, the center feels the research and clinical programming they produce will result in effective outcomes for children.
CSVAC utilizes translational research to advance research and practice in the child welfare arena by: using clinical practice with children and families experiencing violence to generate research questions regarding assessment and interventions to improve safety and health/mental health; conducting funded research with children and family members experiencing violence and related problems; disseminating research and findings to clinical and social service practice communities, as well as the broader scientific community; and consulting, advising and collaborating with federal and state agencies and policy makers.
Additionally, CSVAC's collaborations with both executive and judicial branches of Kentucky's state government further the advancement of the center's research, clinical and educational activities.
"The Center for the Study of Violence Against Children is a model for effective university-community engagement and a catalyst for establishing the University of Kentucky as a leader in the areas of research and practice as it relates to violence against children” said Sprang. “We are committed to finding workable solutions to real world problems.”
The Center for the Study of Violence Against Children (CSVAC) is dedicated to the enhancement of the health and well-being of children and their families through research, service and dissemination of information about child abuse and trauma.
The center’s primary mission will be to develop, assimilate and disseminate knowledge and best practices that will contribute to reducing and ending violence against children and the effects of that violence across the life cycle.
“UK is considered a national leader in research and clinical practice in the fight against child abuse and trauma," said Kay Hoffman, dean of the UK College of Social Work. "We are excited to receive the university's backing in our quest to improve child well-being in the Commonwealth."
Ginny Sprang, the Buckhorn Professor of Child Welfare and Children’s Mental Health, an associate professor with a joint appointment in the College of Social Work and the Department of Psychiatry, will serve as director of CSVAC. James Clark, the Constance Wilson Professor of Mental Health, associate dean for research in the College of Social Work and an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry; Otto Kaak, a professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Department of Psychiatry; and Allen Brenzel, chair of the Child and Adolescent Division in the Department of Psychiatry and associate professor of pediatrics, will serve as associate directors for the center, which employs a multidisciplinary group of scientists and clinicians. CSVAC personnel are actively engaged in basic and applied research investigations, program development and evaluation, clinical technology design, implementation, testing, dissemination and public policy consultation.
The statistics relating to child welfare are disturbing. An estimated 3 million children have been reported as alleged victims of child maltreatment, with the total number of reports nationwide increasing 41 percent since 1988. In Kentucky, the state has the 7th highest rate of maltreatment-related fatalities.
CSVAC aims to combat these child welfare problems using a combination of clinical practice, research and training on child and family violence. Employing the “clinical scientist” model of translational research, the center feels the research and clinical programming they produce will result in effective outcomes for children.
CSVAC utilizes translational research to advance research and practice in the child welfare arena by: using clinical practice with children and families experiencing violence to generate research questions regarding assessment and interventions to improve safety and health/mental health; conducting funded research with children and family members experiencing violence and related problems; disseminating research and findings to clinical and social service practice communities, as well as the broader scientific community; and consulting, advising and collaborating with federal and state agencies and policy makers.
Additionally, CSVAC's collaborations with both executive and judicial branches of Kentucky's state government further the advancement of the center's research, clinical and educational activities.
"The Center for the Study of Violence Against Children is a model for effective university-community engagement and a catalyst for establishing the University of Kentucky as a leader in the areas of research and practice as it relates to violence against children” said Sprang. “We are committed to finding workable solutions to real world problems.”