This is particularly timely to consider in light of the most recent of the continuing series of public school shootings. Because Garbarino's work bears directly on the criminal justice system, Nicholson arranged a breakfast meeting with Garbarino the morning of his talk. Attending the private function will be other trial and appellate judges, leaders of the state, local and minority bar associations, and Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg, chair of the state Assembly Judiciary Committee, among others. The conference also will feature more than 40 workshops and lectures by child-protection professionals from throughout the country. Different cultural views can easily exert an impact on adolescents and their families when discussing sexual history, sharing medical information or even receiving medication to prevent a pregnancy from rape.
Cultural sensitivity is key to improving communication.
Developmentally disabled children are more at risk for child abuse and neglect, but once abused, are at a greater risk for undiagnosed mental health problems. More than 6,000 children are in foster care in Sacramento County. UC Davis' Foster-Care Health Program has provided initial evaluations for some 2,000 foster children since its inception nearly three years ago. More than 150 babies are born at UC Davis Medical Center every year addicted to drugs, yet a potentially larger group of children suffering from drug exposure goes undiagnosed and untreated. Sexually abused teen-agers require special handling and understanding when collecting evidence for possible prosecutions.