Safe from the Start, works with a coalition of advocates, law enforcement officials, educators, and social service providers. This program has offered direct services to children ages 0-5 and their families who have been exposed to violence within southern Madison County since July 2001. A full-time Program Therapist provides individual, group, and family therapy to children and their non-offending caregivers. Art, verbal, and play therapy are used with very young children exposed to violence. In July 2007, Tri-Cities Safe from the Start expanded their service area to include all of Madison County. This program receives referrals from early childhood agencies, professionals, and community agencies which identify children who have experienced trauma as a result of being exposed to violence. The Program Advocate shares responsibility for coalition activities, case management, provides parenting education for the non-offending caregivers, public awareness activities, and oversees the daily activities of the program.

Safe From the Start utilizes the principles of early intervention, mutual collaboration, cross training, and research-based planning to: provide developmentally and culturally appropriate direct services to children ages 0-5, and families exposed to violence; increase public awareness regarding children exposed to violence; and demonstrate a collaborative community based approach to supporting families through collaboration and coalition building with other entities that interact with families.

There are twelve implementation sites across Illinois, with Riverbend Family Ministries now being one of those sites. You can see a Therapist from Safe from the Start at the RFM building Monday and Wednesdays.