Biomed Radio - Washington University School Of Medicine In St. Louis

A program aimed at helping abused and neglected children and their families is improving short-term outcomes for kids and providing children with stable home environments as their cases move through the courts. The program is for children and families whose cases ended up in court. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that kids whose families received psychiatric help and educational support through the program have better-than-expected outcomes compared to kids comparably matched for level of risk whose cases went through the court system before the program was launched. WHEN YOUNG CHILDREN SUFFER ABUSE OR NEGLECT, THEY ARE AT RISK FOR BIG PROBLEMS LATER ON IN LIFE, SUCH AS PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND BECOMING ABUSERS THEMSELVES AS ADULTS. BUT A PROJECT INVOLVING THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY COURTS AND WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY CHILD PSYCHIATRISTS IS WORKING TO BREAK THAT PATTERN BY OFFERING SERVICES BOTH TO CHILDREN AND TO THEIR PARENTS. JIM DRYDEN HAS MORE…