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Child Neglect: A Guide for Intervention

Author(s):   U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Gaudin, J. M., Jr.

Year Published:  1993

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You are in section: Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction 2. Defining Neglect 3. Understanding the Causes of Neglect 4. Short- and Long-Term Consequences of Neglect 5. Assessment of Neglect 6. Intervention 7. Prevention of Neglect 8. Social Policy Implications Glossary of Terms Notes Selected Bibliography Other Resources

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Preface

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act was signed into law in 1974. Since that time, the Federal Government has served as a catalyst to mobilize society's social service, mental health, medical, educational, legal, and law enforcement systems to address the challenges in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. In 1977, in one of its early efforts, the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) developed 21 manuals (the User Manual Series) designed to provide guidance to professional involved in the child protection system and to enhance community collaboration and the quality of services provided to children and families. Some manuals described professional roles and responsibilities in the prevention, identification, and treatment of child maltreatment. Other manuals in the series addressed special topics--for example, adolescent abuse and neglect.

Our understanding of the complex problems of child abuse and neglect has increased dramatically since the user manuals were first developed. This increased knowledge has improved our ability to intervene effectively in the lives of "at risk" children and their families. Likewise, we have a better grasp of what we can do to prevent child abuse and neglect from occurring. Further, our knowledge of the unique roles of the key professionals involved in child protection has been more clearly defined, and a great deal has been learned about how to enhance coordination and collaboration of community agencies and professionals.

Because our knowledge base has increased significantly and the state of the art of practice has improved considerably, NCCAN has updated the User Manual Series by revising many of the existing manuals and creating new manuals which address current innovations, concerns, and issues in the prevention and treatment of child maltreatment.

This manual, Child Neglect: A Guide for Intervention, provides a state-of-the-art review of existing knowledge about child neglect in the United States, its nature, causes, and the implications of that knowledge for preventive and remedial intervention. It offers direction, based upon the findings from empirical research, for child welfare practitioners, supervisors, program managers, and policy makers concerned about reducing the incidence and damaging developmental effects of child neglect upon its young victims.

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You are in section: Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction 2. Defining Neglect 3. Understanding the Causes of Neglect 4. Short- and Long-Term Consequences of Neglect 5. Assessment of Neglect 6. Intervention 7. Prevention of Neglect 8. Social Policy Implications Glossary of Terms Notes Selected Bibliography Other Resources

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This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.

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Updated on March 1, 2010