The kids in places initiative: Promoting healthy child development through a participatory process of knowledge mobilization and evidence based decision making

3^rd International Conference on Forensic Research and Technology

October 06-08, 2014 Hilton San Antonio Airport, USA

Stefania Maggi

Accepted Abstracts: J Forensic Res

Abstract :

Research literature abounds with evidence on the factors implicated in the development of deviant and criminal behaviors among adolescents and young adults. It is well known that what leads to children and youth?s criminal behaviors is the result of the complex interplay between individual factors, family circumstances, the sociology of schools, neighborhoods and communities, as well as social and educational policies and programs. It may be argued that although much still needs to be understood about the mechanisms at play, enough is known to inform decision makers and program developers. The Kids in Places Initiative (KIPI) is an international partnership that promotes community resilience and healthy child development through the collaboration of university and governmental partners as well as community organizations. Despite its international scope, KIPI focuses its efforts for the promotion of children?s wellbeing at the local level (i.e.: the community is which the child lives), where intensive efforts are undertaken to measure outcomes of child development, influence policy and program development and advocate for children?s rights. In this presentation we show how the principles of participatory research and inter-sectorial partnership that characterize KIPI are applied to the promotion of healthy child development at the community level. Implications for forensic sociology are also discussed.

Biography :

Stefania Maggi is a developmental epidemiologist whose research explores the social determinants of child health and development. She teaches in the Child Studies Program at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Carleton University. She collaborates with several community and governmental organizations, both nationally and internationally, supporting the application of knowledge and evidence-base to program and policy development. Her expertise pertains specifically to early childhood education and development, community resilience, university-community partnerships, knowledge mobilization, quantitative research methods, and participatory research methods.