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Ofrece información para los padres (biológicos, de crianza temporal y adoptivos) y otros cuidadores sobre la mejor manera de resolver sus diferencias con un proveedor de servicios u otro profesional de bienestar de menores. Debido a que las políticas y los procedimientos de las agencias de bienestar de menores son específicos de cada estado, esta hoja informativa presenta información desde una perspectiva nacional y señala recursos adicionales sobre dónde encontrar información relacionada con un estado en particular. La información y los recursos proporcionados en esta hoja informativa tratan la mayoría de las quejas relacionadas con el sistema de protección de menores.Provides parents (birth, foster, and adoptive) and other caregivers with information about the best way to resolve their differences with a service provider or other child welfare professional. Since child welfare agency policies and procedures are State-specific, this factsheet presents information from a national perspective and points to additional resources about where to find information related to a particular State. The information and resources provided in this factsheet address the majority of complaints associated with the CPS system.

This paper synthesizes the findings of three Children's Bureau funded research grants on unsubstantiated child protective services (CPS) cases. It specifically addresses the case, decision-maker, organizational, and external factors that influence the decision to substantiate or unsubstantiate a CPS referral and how that decision impacts outcomes for children. Researchers' suggestions for practical implications and future research also are presented. 1 table, 1 figure.

Presents State laws that define the conduct, acts, and omissions that constitute child abuse or neglect that must be reported to child protective agencies. The types of maltreatment defined include physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Provides an overview of both civil and criminal definitions of domestic violence. The definition often varies depending on the context in which the term is used. Statutory definitions across the states generally describe specific conduct or acts that are subject to civil and criminal actions, and the specific language used may vary depending on whether the definition is found in the civil or criminal sections of the state's code. Summaries of laws for all states and territories are included.

Presents State criminal laws that define human trafficking, including involuntary servitude, forced labor and services, and sex trafficking of minors. Federal definitions of human trafficking and the inclusion of trafficking in civil child abuse definitions also are discussed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Discusses State laws that present the factors that courts need to consider when making decisions about a child's appropriate custody and care. Factors to be considered include parental capacity to provide adequate care, sibling and other family relationships, and the child's wishes. The factsheet also addresses the definition of best interests and guiding principles of best interest determinations. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Discusses the steps that may be necessary to create a child welfare system that is more sensitive and responsive to trauma. Every child welfare system is different, and each State or county child welfare system will need to conduct its own systematic process of assessment and planning, in collaboration with key partners, to determine the best approach.

While the structure for differential response intuitively makes sense, implementing such a system is complex and intricate. This double issue of "Protecting Children" fills a literature void and disseminates cutting-edge knowledge from a practice, philosophical, policy, and research perspective on the approach. The perspectives of many distinguished experts are gathered in this diverse and thought-provoking publication, which addresses: use of differential response with varying case characteristics; evaluative findings; community- and state-specific lessons surrounding implementation; and the practice, policy, and data implications. (Author abstract)

Provides an overview of differential response (DR) in the United States and highlights lessons learned through research and implementation experiences. A growing number of child welfare agencies are employing DR in an effort to respond more flexibly to child abuse and neglect reports and to better meet individual family needs. In these systems, families with screened-in child maltreatment reports may receive either a traditional investigation or an alternative assessment response, depending on the type of allegation and other considerations.

This directory lists organizations that maintain information about resources for parents and caregivers on children with disabilities/special needs. The groups provide direct service or referrals for technical assistance, professional training, respite care, educational issues, and advocacy. E-mail and Web address are provided when available.

Provides an overview of disaster planning for child welfare agencies. Outlines the reasons child welfare agencies should develop disaster plans, provides an overview of plan development, points to resources for creating preparedness plans, and highlights State and local examples.

Discusses state laws detailing the officials and entities that may have access to the confidential records of child abuse and neglect reports and investigations, the circumstances under which information may be disclosed, and the appropriate use of confidential information. Public disclosure of information in cases of child abuse-related fatalities or near fatalities also is addressed. Summaries of laws for all states and U.S. territories are included.

Discusses the extent of the overlap between domestic violence and child welfare, some of the effects of domestic violence on child witnesses, and the trend toward a more collaborative, communitywide response to the issue. It also features promising practices from States and local communities.

The purpose of this paper is to guide child welfare agency policymakers in developing practice and policy protocols regarding the use of drug testing in child welfare practice. This guidance describes the practice and policy issues that policymakers must address to include drug testing in the comprehensive assessment and monitoring that child welfare agencies provide. The paper focuses primarily on drug testing of parents who come to the attention of child welfare agencies and courts through reports of child abuse or neglect. However, court practices and policies might use testing in other child welfare contexts. For example, drug testing might be useful for conducting home studies for prospective foster or adoptive parents, understanding drug use patterns among teens in out-of-home care, or evaluating older youth in independent living programs. Throughout the paper, we identify key action steps to help child welfare agencies implement drug testing. We also include an appendix describing the Sacramento County, California, Divisions of Child Protective Services and Alcohol and Drug Services drug testing policy and procedures as an illustration of a well-developed policy. (Author abstract)