Coping
December 2023 Featured Resources
December 2022 Featured Resources
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
President Biden recommits us, “to stopping avoidable traffic deaths and keeping America’s roadways safe,” in his National Impaired Driving Prevention Month proclamation.
This December, we highlight resources to help the field serve victims of impaired driving.
The National Sheriffs’ Association’s DUI Crashes: Real Crimes, Real Victims video urges law enforcement to respond to and interact with DUI crash victims in...
Children and Youth in Tribal Communities: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
These materials were created specifically for children and youth in Tribal communities by Native authors and illustrators and are tailored to the needs of young children (ages 2 to 6), school-age children (ages 7 to 12), and teens (ages 13 to 18) who have been the victim and/or witness to a crime and are interacting with Tribal, state, and/or...
Children and Youth in Tribal Communities: A Guide for Practitioners
A Guide for Practitioners
These materials were created specifically for children and youth in Tribal communities by Native authors and illustrators and are tailored to the needs of young children (ages 2 to 6), school-age children (ages 7 to 12), and teens (ages 13 to 18) who have been the victim and/or witness to a crime and are interacting with Tribal, state, and/or federal justice...
Children and Youth in Tribal Communities: Practitioner and Parent/Caregiver Guides
Practitioner and Parent/Caregiver Guides
These materials were created specifically for children and youth in Tribal communities by Native authors and illustrators and are tailored to the needs of young children (ages 2 to 6), school-age children (ages 7 to 12), and teens (ages 13 to 18) who have been the victim and/or witness to a crime and are interacting with Tribal, state, and/or federal justice...
Maggie Mercury | Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Summary
Maggie Mercury tells the story of a teen who was a witness in a criminal court case.
She hosts a blog where she and her friends talk about what can happen when a young person is the victim or witness in a criminal case.
The story breaks down this complicated issue for teens in Tribal...
Maggie Mercury: Rights & Roles Book | Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Summary
This booklet accompanies Maggie Mercury and describes the jobs of the different grown-ups the reader might meet.
The grownups may be from the reader’s Tribe or a different Tribe, or may work for the local, state, or Federal Government.
The book also addresses rights in the criminal legal system.
Downloads
View Online or Print
View...
Brandon’s Path: Rights & Roles Book | Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Summary
This booklet accompanies Brandon’s Path and describes the jobs of the different grownups the reader might meet.
The grownups may be from the reader’s Tribe or a different Tribe, or may work for the local, state, or Federal Government.
The book also addresses rights in the child welfare system.
Downloads
View Online or Print
View...
Brandon’s Path | Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Summary
Brandon’s Path follows the story of a teen whose family is involved in a child welfare case.
His story follows a ‘choose your own adventure’ style where he meets new adults, learns to ask for help, and discovers things he can do to feel better.
Downloads
View Online or Print
View online or print on...
Marvelous Mitch: Rights & Roles Book | Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Summary
This booklet accompanies Marvelous Mitch and describes the jobs of the different grownups the reader might meet.
The grownups may be from the reader’s Tribe or a different Tribe, or may work for the local, state, or Federal Government.
The book also addresses rights in the criminal legal system.
Downloads
View Online or Print
View...
Marvelous Mitch | Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Summary
Marvelous Mitch follows the story of a school-age kid who is a witness in a criminal court case and goes to federal court.
She meets with new adults, like a victim advocate, who ask her questions, teach her how the legal system works, and help her feel better.
Downloads
View Online or Print
View online...
Edgar’s Journey: Rights & Roles Book | Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Summary
This booklet accompanies Edgar’s Journey and describes the jobs of the different grownups the reader might meet.
The grownups may be from the reader’s Tribe or a different Tribe, or may work for the local, state, or Federal Government.
The book also addresses rights in the child welfare system.
Downloads
View Online or Print
View...
Edgar’s Journey | Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Summary
Edgar’s Journey tells the story of a school-age child named Edgar, who has to go to the state courthouse with his grandpa to talk about what is happening in his family.
He meets some new adults, goes to new places, and learns about asking for help and things he can do to feel better.
Downloads
...Marvis & Rockee: Rights & Roles Book | Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Summary
This booklet accompanies Marvis & Rockee and describes the jobs of the different grownups the reader might meet.
The grownups may be from the reader’s Tribe or a different Tribe, or may work for the local, state, or Federal Government.
Downloads
View Online or Print
View online or print on an office printer.
Marvis & Rockee | Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Summary
Marvis & Rockee tells the story of a little boy named Marvis who is a witness in a criminal court case.
He and his toy coyote, Rockee, meet with different grown-ups, like advocates and attorneys, who ask him questions about what happened, and share techniques with him to help him cope with how he’s feeling...
Aiyana’s Journey: Rights & Roles Book | Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Summary
This booklet accompanies Aiyana’s Journey and describes the jobs of the different grownups the reader might meet.
The grownups may be from the reader’s Tribe or a different Tribe, or may work for the local, state, or Federal Government.
Downloads
View Online or Print
View online or print on an office printer.
Aiyana’s Journey | Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Summary
Aiyana’s Journey tells the story of what happens to a little girl named Aiyana after social workers visit her home on the reservation because her mom needs help taking care of her.
She meets some new grownups, goes to some new places, and learns about things she can do to feel better. Throughout the story, Aiyana...
Children and Youth in Tribal Communities
Resources for Use With Children and Youth in Tribal Communities
Children and youth in Tribal communities who are victims and witnesses encounter unique challenges while navigating the justice system. Jurisdictional conflicts and variation in Tribal justice system structure and processes can be confusing and overwhelming for child victims and witnesses and their families.
Many child victims and witnesses have endured multiple forms of violence and victimization over...
36th Annual National Organization of Parents Of Murdered Children Conference
St. Louis, MO
What Is Your Job? In Criminal Court
Summary
What Is Your Job? In Criminal Court—a companion piece to Brave Oscar—is a picture book that explains the different roles of people that a child may interact with or hear about throughout a criminal case and in criminal court. It includes information on the role of the child in court and an illustration of a courtroom.
Downloads
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...Jamie's Story: A Journey Through (and Beyond) the Legal System
Summary
Jamie’s Story follows a young individual who identifies as nonbinary and serves as a victim witness in a sex trafficking case.
The story follows them as—
- they are questioned during a police investigation;
- speak with a prosecutor in preparation for testifying in court; and
- receive support from their therapist, group home staff, and victim advocate.
Throughout the graphic novel...
I Am Still Isabella
Summary
I Am Still Isabella tells the story of what happens to Isabella after she is removed from her home and placed with another caregiver, her auntie.
To illustrate common occurrences in cases of child removal, the story follows Isabella as she adjusts to life in her new home, regularly meets with her caseworker and counselor and discusses...
Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Funding Available to Print These Materials
To increase access to the resources in this series, the Center for Justice Innovation is offering the opportunity to print and disseminate up to $10,000 worth of the materials. The Center for Justice Innovation, through funding from OVC, is accepting applications until January 31, 2025.
Introduction
For children and youth, participating in the justice...