Recent research on the effects of children's exposure to violence is compelling. Children exposed to violence and maltreatment may suffer increased depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress, anger, alcohol and drug abuse, and lower academic achievement. New scientific studies have uncovered the physiological impact of violence on the developing human brain and the long-term consequences of this exposure. Moreover, children exposed to violence, either as victims or witnesses, are more likely to become juvenile and adult offenders.

OC Safe from the Start, Reducing Children’s Exposure to Violence initiative is designed to educate professionals in the community to support families in need, teaching them violence prevention and education strategies to significantly reduce their children’s contact with violence. Since May 2006, several Training of Trainers (TOT) workshops have been held in which over 300 representatives from early childhood education, family resource centers, the faith community, healthcare, and law enforcement have been trained in the use of the "Every Orange County Child Is My Concern" toolkit.