The following are the Child Abuse and Neglect User Manuals from before the 1990s. Please note that some of this information may be outdated and that updated versions of some manuals are included in the new and revised Child Abuse and Neglect User Manuals.
For more information, please contact us at library@childwelfare.gov.
Child Neglect: Mobilizing Services
Guidelines for mobilizing community services in response to cases of suspected child neglect are presented. After an overview of the problem, topics discussed include the dynamics of the neglectful family, treatment modes for the neglectful family, placement of the neglected child in a substitute family situation, and social policy considerations. Treatment modes for the neglectful family involve such child protective services functions as liaison, interviewing, supportive counseling, loneliness assuagement, modeling and values instillment, day care, and homemaker services.
Child Protection: Providing Ongoing Services
Guidelines for providing effective ongoing services to abused and neglected children and their parents are offered for use by child protective services workers and other interested service providers. After an overview of the service provision process and specialized roles, topics discussed include assessing alleged maltreatment, formulating the service plan, choosing among service alternatives for parents and children, providing direct services, orchestrating and monitoring services, assessing family progress, implementing foster care services, using the juvenile court, terminating services, and maintaining followup services.
Child Protection: The Role of the Courts
Guidelines are offered to provide users of the juvenile court with an understanding of the processes and procedures of the court in hearing and deciding cases of child abuse and neglect. After an overview of child abuse and neglect and child protection processes, topics discussed include the decision whether or not to go to court, the court system, overview of the juvenile court process, case preparation, proving child maltreatment, use of witnesses, court-ordered treatment, and court proceedings involving the children of American Indians.
Child Protective Services: A Guide for Workers
Guidelines for child protective services (CPS) workers are offered which introduce issues, processes, and problems associated with CPS delivery systems. An overview of the child abuse and neglect situation is followed by a discussion of the CPS response process and CPS worker roles. Other topics include identification and reporting, intake and investigations, assessment and planning, implementation of the service plan, working with the courts, internal and external supports, and primary and secondary prevention.
Crisis Intervention: A Manual for Child Protective Workers
Goals and techniques of crisis intervention by child protective service (CPS) workers are presented. A crisis is a critical turning point in the life of the family and the child, and can provide a unique opportunity for radical change in an abusive situation. Elements that can precipitate a crisis, its psychological effects, and guidelines for evaluation by the CPS worker of its causes and effects are discussed. The evaluation of persons in crisis and their problems is the first step in providing support and assistance to the family in overcoming the crisis and in using it to initiate change.
Early Childhood Programs and the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect
The role of workers in early childhood programs such as day care, preschool, and Head Start in the identification, treatment, and prevention of child abuse and neglect is described. Topics discussed include definitions of child abuse and neglect; the extent of the problem; etiology and sequelae of child abuse and neglect; community, legal, and ethical issues connected with early childhood programs; recognition of child abuse and neglect in the early childhood program setting; federal and state reporting requirements; local policies and procedures regarding reporting and difficulties encountered in attempts to report abuse or neglect; early childhood programs as treatment resources; prevention of child maltreatment through parental and community education programs; development of a program structure that would enable workers to fulfill their responsibility relating to child maltreatment prevention and treatment; and abuse and neglect in relation to family day care.
The Educator's Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect
The role of the educator in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect is discussed. Educators' closeness to children, law and policy, and professional responsibility all mandate an active role by educators in resolving the problem of child maltreatment. Moreover, because of his existing leadership role in the community, the educator is able to spearhead community prevention and treatment efforts. Characteristics of abused children and their parents, methods for reporting suspected maltreatment, and the role of the school after reporting are discussed.
Family Violence: Intervention Strategies
This booklet is one in the user manual series, and addresses a topic of major concern: family violence. Included is information on: the nature, causes, and effects of family violence; identification of violent families; intervention strategies; and program development techniques. While it is recognized that family violence affects all family members, this manual is largely concerned with the plight of abused women. Violent incidents in families are not usually isolated events; they are intense, recurrent, and will continue and possibly escalate unless theres is outside intervention. Presented and discussed are some characteristics commonly found in spouses involved in violent relationships.
Guidelines for the Hospital and Clinic Management of Child Abuse and Neglect
This manual was written to assist medical staff in meeting their responsibilities to prevent, identify, and treat child abuse and neglect. Classification of health care facilities helps to clarify what services, resources, and policies are needed for each type of facility, with summaries and sample protocols to review for each type. Guidelines for hospital-based non-medical CAN personnel are presented, as well as a detailed outline for developing legal policies and procedures, including reporting protocols. Emergency room protocols are divided into areas for nurses; medical services; detection of high-risk families; telephone consultations; patient transfers; and procedures for handling incoming CAN telephone calls. Explicit physician's guidelines for the management of hospitalized cases of physical abuse are provided.
The Nurse's Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect
The roles and responsibilities of nurses in child maltreatment identification, treatment, and prevention are outlined. Nurses' direct involvement with families' medical problems, as well as legal and ethical issues mandate the involvement of nurses in child abuse and neglect treatment and prevention. Identifying characteristics of child maltreatment, steps to take in reporting, nurses' involvement in the assessment and treatment planning process, and nurses' role in prevention and treatment efforts and in community coordination are described in detail.
Parent Aides in Child Abuse and Neglect Programs
This manual, designed for use by child protective services, provides specific information needed to develop and implement a parent aide program. Included are the goals and objectives of the program; the roles and responsibilities of professionals and paraprofessionals; and the recruitment, screening and matching process. Guidelines are provided for training, ongoing supervision, and program evaluation. Five appendices include sample application and contract forms, a list of regional child abuse and neglect resource centers, a chart outlining forces affecting parent-child interactions, evaluation procedures, and sample handouts.
Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect: A Guide for Staff in Residential Institutions
Guidelines for staff in residential institutions are presented in an attempt to decrease abuse and neglect of the 400,000 children in such settings. Topics discussed include types of institutional maltreatment, factors contributing to institutional maltreatment, reporting and investigating abuse and neglect, institutional policies, and methods of preventing abuse and neglect. Standards on residential institutions, sample policy statements on residential rights, and sample disciplinary code principles for residents are appended.
Reaching Out: The Volunteer in Child Abuse and Neglect Programs
This booklet is addressed to both experienced volunteers and citizens who are considering whether to become volunteers for the first time and are concerned about child maltreatment. Volunteering to help abused and neglected children, their parents, or the agencies treating them can be more complex and difficult than other volunteer efforts. Today, volunteers in many States are working directly with abused and neglected children and their families, offering volunteer parent-aides, among other services. Another successful prevention program uses volunteers to work with "high-risk'' mothers when they go home with their infants.
The Role of Law Enforcement in the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect
This manual for law enforcement officers delineates their various roles in child abuse and neglect identification, treatment and prevention. Its focus is on reasons why law enforcement officers should be involved in cases of child abuse and neglect; how to recognize child abuse and neglect, and reporting requirements in cases of suspected child abuse and neglect. Child abuse is defined and characteristics of abused children and their parents are detailed. Procedures for making, receiving, and investigating reports, in the absence of a child protective service agency, are also described.
The Role of the Mental Health Professional in the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect
The expanding role of mental health professionals in child abuse and neglect identification, treatment, and prevention is described. Topics discussed include the definition, causes, and effects of child abuse and neglect; reasons why mental health professionals should be involved in the protection of children; physical and behavioral indicators of physical and sexual abuse and emotional maltreatment; characteristics of abusive and neglectful parents; reporting of child abuse and neglect; participation of mental health professionals in the assessment of parents, children and family, and in treatment planning; treatment alternatives; mental health professionals' involvement with the courts; development of interagency networks and participation in multidisciplinary teams; and mental health based prevention programs.
Supervising Child Protective Workers
This manual was developed to provide child protective services (CPS) supervisors with a conceptual framework for practice, and to offer specific practice-oriented advice on how to carry out supervisory functions effectively. One of the central features of the supervisor's role should be the recruitment and selection of qualified staff. Orientation and training specific to the problems of child maltreatment are essential for CPS workers, as well as are specific standards as to the quantity and quality of their work.
Treatment for Abused and Neglected Children
A manual for child protective services (CPS) workers discusses their role and responsibility in treating abused and neglected children. Topics addressed include the need for treatment of abused and neglected children and the CPS worker's involvement in treatment; guidelines for medical treatment including medical examination, evaluation, and documentation of injuries resulting from abuse and neglect; identification and treatment of common medical problems such as inadequate immunization, hearing deficits, inadequate growth, infection, dental health, vision, and congenital anomalies; options available such as adoption, foster care, and residential care for the protection of the child; assessment and screening, evaluation, and treatment modalities for developmental problems and psychological problems; and family therapy aimed at changing the home environment.