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Opening Minds Conference
The following Information Gateway materials were made available at the Opening Minds Conference held January 22 to 24, 2009, in Chicago, IL.
2007 Kids Count Data Book: State Profiles of Child Well-Being: Lifelong Family Connections: Supporting Permanence for Children in Foster Care.
This 18th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book provides national and state-by-state information and statistical trends on the conditions of America's children and families. New this year is information on child well-being in Puerto Rico. This year's essay examines the child welfare system and challenges the country to make lifelong connections for children and youth in foster care a national priority. The essay also focuses on the 726,000 children who spend time in foster care each year and what can be done to build and strengthen family relationships.
A Coordinated Response to Child Abuse and Neglect: The Foundation for Practice
Written for new child protective services (CPS) caseworkers, professionals working with children and families, other professionals and concerned community members, this manual addresses the definition, scope, causes, and consequences of child abuse and neglect. It presents an overview of prevention efforts and the child protection process from identification and reporting through investigation and assessment to service provision and case closure. This manual is intended to accompany each profession-specific manual in the User Manual Series. Appendices include a glossary of terms, resource listings of selected national organizations concerned with child maltreatment, and State toll-free child abuse reporting numbers. 150 references.
Abuse-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Child Physical Abuse
Abuse-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (AF-CBT) has been found to improve functioning in school-aged children who have experienced physical abuse, as well as in their parents, caregivers, and families. This issue brief explores the characteristics and benefits of AF-CBT to help child welfare caseworkers, other professionals who work with at-risk families, and caregivers make more informed decisions about family participation in AF-CBT. It includes information about what makes AF-CBT unique, key components, target populations, effectiveness, and what to look for in an AF-CBT therapist.
Acts of Omission : An Overview of Child Neglect
This In Focus report provides an overview of the causes and consequences of child neglect. Legal definitions, the characteristics of neglected children and their families, intervention strategies, and the status of child neglect research are discussed. The briefing examines the relationships between neglect and poverty, substance abuse, and domestic violence.
Addressing the Needs of Young Children in Child Welfare: Part C -- Early Intervention Services
The Part C referral provisions in CAPTA and IDEA offer child welfare administrators an opportunity to expand the array of supports and resources for young children and their caregivers in order to enhance child well-being. This bulletin provides examples of State efforts to implement the new referral provisions and provides lessons learned about accessing early intervention services for children and families identified by the child welfare system. It includes background information about child welfare and early intervention, promising strategies, funding strategies, resources, and contact information for State and local programs.
Best practice/next practice : family-centered child welfare : program improvement plans special issue, Summer 2002.
The second Annual Meeting of State and Tribe Child Welfare Officials convened by the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice reviewed lessons learned from the Child and Family Services Review process and provided tips for program improvement plans. This issue of the Resource Center newsletter summarizes presentations and panel discussions from the conference. The articles highlight conformity with systemic factors assessed during the Child and Family Services Reviews. Presenters noted a need to focus on outcomes, especially in the areas of permanency and well-being. States were advised to target program improvement plans to the areas that had the ...
Best practice/next practice : family-centered child welfare, Fall 2000.
Community collaboratives for child welfare are being formed by local agencies to prevent child maltreatment and promote community responsibility for child and family well-being. The collaboratives feature the use of community-based resources, family-centered services, an emphasis on results, the participation of individuals and community organizations, and flexibility. This issue of the biannual publication of the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice examines the characteristics of community partnerships and describes initiatives implemented in several states. The role of the Patch model in the implementation of the Adoption and Safe Families Act in Massachusetts specifically is discussed. Adapted from the ...
Best practice/next practice : family-centered child welfare, Spring 2001.
This issue of the biannual newsletter of the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice examines differential response systems that customize services to meet the specific situation of each family. The differential or multi-track response system permits workers to direct high-risk families into the investigation process, while low-risk families receive assessment and support without substantiation. Some states have created more than two categories to provide a more tailored response. The newsletter outlines the benefits of the differential response system and describes models implemented in Washington State, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, Louisiana, South Carolina, Virginia, and Minnesota. Lessons learned about assessment, ...
Best practice/next practice : family-centered child welfare, Summer 2002 : father involvement.
Despite research that substantiates the importance of father involvement in children's lives, family-centered child welfare services continue to be oriented toward the child's mother. This newsletter from the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice explains how child welfare services can engage fathers in the lives of their children. The articles suggest strategies such as family conferencing, support services, and outreach to fathers in prison or on parole. The findings from research about the positive and negative aspects of father involvement are discussed. Perspectives are offered from a case manager and a father. The newsletter includes an outline of ...
Best practice/next practice : family-centered child welfare, Summer 2003 : mental health in child welfare : a focus on children and families.
Children served by the child welfare system are at high risk for socio-emotional, behavioral, and other mental health problems that complicate the care provided by caseworkers, foster parents, and relative caregivers. This issue of the newsletter of the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice describes mental health problems that arise during childhood and adolescence and presents recommendations for screening and treatment. Articles address topics such as resiliency, attachment, the role of foster families in mental health treatment, the types of mental health services that should be offered, cultural competency, and support for parents with mental illness. Barriers to ...
Best practice/next practice : family-centered child welfare, Winter 2002 : trauma and child welfare.
This edition of the biannual newsletter of the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice examines the impact of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on children, families, and professionals in the child welfare system. The articles highlight the effects of personal loss, economic recession, and state funding shifts on individuals and families who were under stress before the traumatic event. Emphasis is placed on the ways in which child welfare agencies can plan to address the needs of affected children and parents. Responses from the New York City Administration for Children and Families and foster care agencies across ...
Best practice/next practice : family-centered child welfare, Winter 2004 : mental health in child welfare : a focus on caregivers.
The mental health and emotional well-being of child welfare workers and caregivers have a significant impact on outcomes for children and families. This issue of the newsletter of the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice addresses the effects of secondary traumatic stress and the ways in which the child welfare system can support professionals, parents, and other caregivers. The articles describe the responsibilities of caseworkers and the potential for stress, as well as the need for training, limitations on caseloads, and reflective supervision. Strategies for strengthening the skills of parents also are discussed in the context of family ...
Child Abuse and Neglect
This information packet includes fact sheets about child maltreatment and the services available from the Child Welfare Information Gateway. The fact sheets review the definitions of maltreatment, child abuse and neglect prevention, and provide statistical information about the prevalence of child abuse and neglect and the characteristics of victims and offenders. Directories of federal clearinghouses, hotlines, state agencies, and other organizations that disseminate information about family and domestsic violence and substance abuse are also inserted.
Child Abuse and Neglect Among American Indian/Alaska Native Children: An Analysis of Existing Data
This study compared the findings of previous research about the incidence of child maltreatment in American Indian and Alaska Native families and analyzed data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) for this population. The research review revealed significant differences in findings because of problems with definitions and data collection methods. However, most of the previous studies documented a high incidence of neglect, violence, alcohol abuse, and foster care in American Indian and Alaska Native children. Positive trends include a decrease in adoption rates and lower rates of sexual and physical abuse. The secondary analysis of NCANDS ...
Child Neglect Demonstration Projects: Synthesis of Lessons Learned
In 1996 and 1997, the Children's Bureau funded 10 demonstration projects to address the prevention, intervention, and treatment needs of neglected children and their families. These projects implemented and evaluated a wide variety of service strategies with large numbers of children and families. Programs varied considerably in terms of theoretical model (psychosocial or ecological), target population, location (in-home or out-of-home), duration, and intensity. This publication provides an overview of services and outcomes, common challenges and successful strategies, and lessons learned for the 10 projects. Specific project and contact information is provided in the appendix for readers interested in learning more ...
Child Protection in Families Experiencing Domestic Violence. [CD-ROM Version]
Domestic violence is a devastating social problem that affects every segment of the population. While system responses are primarily targeted towards adult victims of abuse, increasing attention is now focused on the children who witness domestic violence. Studies estimate that 10 to 20 percent of children are at risk for exposure to domestic violence. Research also indicates children exposed to domestic violence are at an increased risk of being abused or neglected, and that a majority of studies reveal there are adult and child victims in 30 to 60 percent of families who experience domestic violence. This manual provides background ...
Child Protective Services: A Guide for Caseworkers. 2003
This manual examines the roles and responsibilities of child protective services (CPS) workers. It describes the purposes, key decisions, and issues of each stage of the CPS process: intake, initial assessment/investigation, family assessment, case planning, service provision, evaluation of family progress and case closure. The manual also covers strategies for casework supervision, training, and support. Appendices include a glossary of terms, resource listings of selected national organizations, State toll-free telephone numbers for reporting child abuse, and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. 8 tables and 173 references.
Child Welfare Casework With Nonresident Fathers of Children in Foster Care
Most children in foster care are not living with their fathers at the time they are removed from their homes, and once in substitute care, these children may experience even less contact with their nonresident fathers. Yet fathers and their relatives represent half of a child's potential family connections and kin resources. If ignored, important social or financial support for the child may be missed as permanency planning is conducted. Fathers or their relatives may be potential substitute caregivers for the child, may support a reunification plan with child support, respite or other assistance, or may voluntarily relinquish parental rights ...
Child Welfare Outcomes 2003 : Annual Report
Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2003. Information for a qualitative analysis also was extracted from Child and Family Service Review ...
Children and Domestic Violence
System responses to domestic violence have typically been targeted toward adult victims of abuse. However, increased attention is now being focused on children who witness domestic violence. This bulletin addresses the impact of domestic violence on children and the resulting implications on professional practice. Resources such as websites and additional publications are also provided for further information.
Differential Response to Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect
A growing number of State and local child protective services (CPS) agencies are employing some form of differential response. In these systems, families reported for suspected child abuse or neglect may receive either a traditional investigation or an assessment alternative, depending on the severity of the allegation and other considerations. This issue brief for child welfare administrators and policymakers provides an overview of differential response, highlights lessons learned through research and experience, and offers some guiding principles for implementation.
Exploring Differential Response: One Pathway Toward Reforming Child Welfare.
This second double issue on differential response discusses practice, policy, and research related to understanding and implementing a differential response approach as an alternative to traditional investigations into child abuse or neglect. It begins by explaining that differential response focuses on partnering with families to provide services that meet their needs while dismissing the labels of perpetrator and victim and removing the determination or finding. Following articles summarize key findings for the 2006 National Study on Differential Response in Child Welfare; findings from the Parent Support Outreach Project, a pilot project in Minnesota that created a preventive pathway for families; ...
Improving Child Welfare Outcomes Through Systems of Care : Building the Infrastructure, a Guide for Communities.
This guide is designed to clarify for grantees the various activities that federal funds can support under the Improving Child Welfare Outcomes through Systems of Care program. It is organized into nine parts that correspond to the fundamental components of the infrastructure needed to support systems of care: planning, governance, system management, coordination of services and service array, communication, policy, finance, continuous quality improvement, and human resources and staff development. The parts are divided into sections that outline the definitions, goals, activities, personnel, and expected outcomes related to each component. In addition, the guide provides resources that illustrate further the ...
Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect
The harmful effects of child abuse and neglect vary depending on a number of factors, including the circumstances, personal characteristics of the child, and the child?s environment. In many cases, child abuse and neglect have consequences for children, families, and society that last lifetimes. This factsheet provides an overview of some of the most common physical, psychological, behavioral, and societal consequences of child abuse and neglect, including findings from research supported by the Federal Government.
Male Perpetrators of Child Maltreatment: Findings from NCANDS
Using case-level data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect System (NCANDS) for 2002, analyses of the characteristics of male perpetrators of maltreatment were conducted. The study utilized an 18-State data set of 192,392 perpetrators identified by the child protective services system during 2002. The relationship of the perpetrators to the child victims, as well as whether the perpetrator acted alone or with another person, was considered along with demographic characteristics of both perpetrators and victims, and circumstances of the maltreatment. Research questions were: 1) What are the characteristics of male perpetrators of child maltreatment? 2) What specific patterns of ...
Online State Statutes Series
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This flier provides an overview of the Online State Statutes Series available from Child Welfare Information Gateway. It lists the 36 titles available in the Series in the categories of Child Abuse and Neglect, Child Welfare, and Adoption and provides information on how to access the online database.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy With At-Risk Families
Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) is a family-centered treatment approach demonstrated effective for abused and at-risk children ages 2½ to 12 and their parents or caregivers. This issue brief explores the characteristics and benefits of PCIT to help child welfare caseworkers, other professionals who work with at-risk families, and caregivers make more informed decisions about family participation in PCIT programs. It includes information about what makes PCIT unique, key components, effectiveness, and what to look for in a PCIT therapist.
Promoting Healthy Families in Your Community : 2008 Resource Packet
This Resource Guide was written to support service providers in their work with parents, caregivers, and their children to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect. The guide includes information about protective factors that help reduce the risk of child maltreatment, strategies for changing how communities support families, and evidence-informed practices. It also offers suggestions for enhancing protective factors in families, tools to build awareness and develop community partnerships, information about child abuse and neglect, a directory of national organizations that work to strengthen families, and tip sheets in English and Spanish on specific parenting topics.
Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms
The first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. This factsheet lists general signs that may signal the presence of child abuse. It also includes signs associated with specific types of maltreatment such as physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional maltreatment.
School-Based Child Maltreatment Programs: Synthesis of Lessons Learned
The Office on Child Abuse and Neglect awarded several grants during Fiscal Year 1997 to programs that utilized school resources for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. The three-year demonstration projects focused on collaboration between child protection agencies and school systems; education for parents, teachers, and children about child abuse and neglect; and the involvement of school staff in prevention and intervention. This report summarizes the service approaches and lessons learned by 11 demonstration programs as noted in their final reports. The projects found that training was effective in enhancing knowledge about the signs of child abuse ...
Screening and Assessment for Family Engagement, Retention and Recovery (SAFERR)
This guidebook presents the SAFERR (Screening and Assessment for Family Engagement , Retention, and Recovery) model for helping staff of public and private agencies to families affected by substance use disorders. SAFERR was developed in response to frequent requests from managers of child welfare agencies for a "tool" that caseworkers could use to screen parents for potential substance use disorders in order to make decisions about children's safety. (Author abstract, modified)
Substance Abuse and Child Maltreatment
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2003 - 5 pages |
Substance abuse has a major impact on the child welfare system. It is estimated that 9 percent of children in the United States live with at least one parent who abuses alcohol or other drugs. Research has demonstrated that children of substance abusing parents are more likely to experience abuse or neglect than children in non-substance abusing households. This fact sheet addresses the scope of the problem, the impact of parental substance abuse on children, service delivery issues, and agency practice implications. Resources for further information also are provided. 12 references.
Supervising Child Protective Services Caseworkers
This manual provides the foundation for effective supervisory practice in child protective services (CPS). It describes the roles and responsibilities of the CPS supervisor, and it provides practice oriented advice on how to carry out supervisory responsibilities effectively. Best practices and critical issues in supervisory practice are underscored throughout. Topics include: The nature of CPS supervision; Making the transition from caseworker to supervisor; Building the foundation for effective unit performance; Building staff capacity and achieving excellence in performance; Supervisory feedback and performance recognition; Results-oriented management; Clinical supervision; Recruitment and retention; Managing from the middle; and Taking care of oneself and ...
Synthesis of Findings : Substance Abuse Child Welfare Waiver Demonstrations.
Since 1996, four States have implemented substance abuse waiver demonstrations: Delaware, New Hampshire, Illinois, and Maryland. Findings from Delaware and Illinois are summarized in this report. Findings from New Hampshire are incomplete; and Maryland obtained no data on the outcomes of its demonstration. The use of the title IV-E waiver demonstrations to implement substance abuse projects reflects a growing national realization that the substance abuse issues of parents must be addressed to decrease the incidence of out-of-home placement, reduce lengths of stay of children in out-of-home placement, and reduce the cost associated with foster care. These demonstrations have provided States ...
The Children's Bureau
The Children's Burea administers a range of services designed to protect children and strengthen families. With an annual budget of more than $7 billion, the agency works with States, Tribes, and communities to plan, manage, coordinate, and support child abuse and neglect prevention, foster care, child welfare, and adoption programs that improve outcomes for children. and families.
The Role of Educators in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect. [CD-ROM Version]
This manual, designed to examine the roles that teachers, school counselors, school social workers, school nurses, special education professionals, administrators, and other school personnel have in helping maltreated children, provides the basis for the involvement of educators in combating the problem of child abuse and neglect. It also may be used by other professionals involved in child abuse and neglect interventions, such as child protective services, mental health, law enforcement, health care, and early childhood professionals, to gain a better understanding of the role of educators in child protection. Specifically, this manual addresses the following topics: Identifying reasons why educators ...
Toll-Free Crisis Hotline Numbers
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2007 - 2 pages |
This directory lists toll-free phone numbers maintained by various crisis organizations. It includes organizations that deal with child abuse, child sexual abuse, crime victims, family violence, mental illness, missing/abducted children, rape/incest, substance abuse, suicide prevention, and youth in trouble/runaways.
Tribal-State Relations
Both the United States Congress and Tribal governments have articulated the importance of protecting the safety, permanency, and well-being of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children. Through the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978, Congress stated ". . . that there is no resource that is more vital to the continued existence and integrity of Indian tribes than their children" (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901). Congress goes on to further assert that "it is the policy of this Nation to protect the best interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian Tribes and families by the ...
Understanding Substance Abuse and Facilitating Recovery: A Guide for Child Welfare Workers
This publication is intended for front line child welfare staff. It discusses the relationship of alcohol and drugs to families in the child welfare system; provides information on the biological, psychological, and social processes of alcohol and drug addiction to help staff recognize when substance abuse is a risk factor in their cases; describes strategies to facilitate and support alcohol and drug treatment and recovery; and explains the benefits of partnering with substance abuse treatment and dependency court systems to improve outcomes for children of parents with substance use disorders. (Author abstract)
Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Early Brain Development
This In Focus report provides an overview of early brain development and examines how child abuse can impair cognitive and emotional functioning. The specific effects of stress, persistent fear response, hyperarousal, dissociation, disrupted attachment process, and neglect are discussed. The briefing reviews the implications of research findings for the child welfare system, practitioners, and caregivers. Early intervention and prevention strategies are suggested.
What Do We Know About the Effectiveness of Prevention?
There are three principal areas where research on maltreatment prevention has historically been most concentrated: home visitation programs, parent education programs, and school-based programs for the prevention of child sexual abuse. This fact sheet summarizes what is known about prevention from research and evaluation in these areas.
What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
This fact sheet explains how child maltreatment is defined in federal and state laws. Distinctions between the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and state civil and criminal statutes are highlighted. Operational definitions of physical abuse, child neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse also are included.
Child Welfare Information Gateway: Stay Connected
Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to timely, practical resources that help child welfare, adoption, and related professionals protect children and strengthen families. This flier describes Information Gateway?s free services, including reliable print and electronic publications, websites, online databases, and more.
What Is Prevention and Why Is It Important?
Prevention of child abuse and neglect has taken on many forms since the 1960s when C. Henry Kempe identified the Battered Child Syndrome. Policy makers, legislators, professionals, and concerned citizens have struggled to find effective ways to prevent violence against children. This fact sheet defines prevention and discusses its importance, using illustrations from alcohol-related traffic death prevention programs, AIDS prevention programs, and adolescent pregnancy programs. It also discusses studies that illustrate the potential value of child maltreatment programs that can reduce incidence.
Online Resources for Answering the Call.
This two-page flier provides a brief listing of online adoption and foster care resources available from AdoptUsKids and Child Welfare Information Gateway. One side is printed in English; the other is printed in Spanish.
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