Maternal and Child

Health Coalition

of Greater Kansas City

Press Release

Contact: Cesar Motts FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

816.283-6242 Ext. 249 January 18, 2005

“The Face of Violence in the Lives of Adolescents” Conference

Kansas City, MO- The Maternal and Child Health Coalition will host a conference about adolescents and family violence on Thursday, January 20, 2005 at Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri, 64130 from 8 - 11:15 a.m. This conference will focus on brain development, substance abuse, and exposure to violence in the lives of adolescents.

The latest research on brain development has revealed that an adolescent’s brain is a work- in-progress that is more similar to the brain of a child than an adult. Dr. Linda Chamberlain, the keynote speaker, will describes areas of the brain that show the most profound changes during adolescence and examines the implications of these changes on adolescents’ thought processes, behaviors, and vulnerability to substance abuse and trauma. She will present case scenarios and the latest research to illustrate the long-term physical and mental health effects associated with exposure to violence. She will conclude with a proactive discussion of how we can make a difference with practical information on assessment, intervention strategies, and community initiatives.

Dr. Chamberlain, the founding director of the Alaska Family Violence Prevention Project, is an epidemiologist specializing in domestic violence and childhood exposure to violence. The author of numerous publications and curricula on family violence, she is editor-in-chief for the e-journal, Family Violence Prevention and Practice. Dr. Chamberlain has received numerous awards and recognition for her work including a National Kellogg Leadership Fellowship.

The second part of the conference will consist of a panel discussion with Major Gregg Wilkinson, Independence Police Department; Chief John Douglass, Chief of the Overland Park Police Department; Robin Sipe, J.D., Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Jackson County; Paul Morrison, J.D., Johnson County District Attorney.

The registration fee is $25 which includes membership to the Maternal and Child Health Coalition and 2.0 CEUs for physicians/social workers and 2.5 CEUs for nurses. This conference will be cancelled if Kansas City Missouri School District is closed for classes. Financial support for this conference has been provided by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, Bureau of Family Health.

Maternal and Child Health Coalition promotes the health of mothers and children through community planning, education, advocacy and collaboration with organizations addressing infant mortality, immunization, childhood obesity, and child safety. More information about this event is available from Cesar Motts at Maternal and Child Health Coalition, 6400 Prospect, Suite 216, Kansas City, Missouri, 64132, office phone (816) 283-6242, ext. 249. Photo and interview opportunities will be available.

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