Examining School Contexts for Centering Families and Youth within a Violence Risk Assessment

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 7:45 am - Gold 3
  In Roundtable Session: Youth and Advancing Family-School Partnerships

Abstract

Our paper explores a new model of school-based violence risk assessment (VRA) by advancing a family- and youth-centered approach with the Family Check-Up (FCU). Prior research suggests the FCU promotes positive outcomes for families and youth and families report positive experiences. However, school staff shared concerns with their capacity. Data from the present study focused on district and school leaders, and VRA team members to identify school contexts to promote implementation of the FCU within a violence risk assessment. Participants described elements of an implementation infrastructure to support family collaboration within the VRA (e.g., family-centered school norms). We describe findings based on participant comments and present a framework for school-based integration of a VRA that centers families and youth.

Authors

• Andy Garbacz, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Sinéad O'Neill, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Maria Fernanda S Cunha, University of California - Berkeley