Background

Since the late 1970s, the popular Child Abuse and Neglect User Manual Series has been used for formal training, self-instruction, desktop reference, and program development by hundreds of thousands of multidisciplinary professionals working with abused and neglected children and their families, as well as by students and concerned community members. Since the last update of the series in the early 1990s, a number of new issues have arisen and significant changes have occurred in the service delivery systems for children and families (e.g., new legislation, systems reform efforts, and advances in what is known about best practice) that are not reflected in the earlier Manuals.

Project Objectives

The purpose of this project is to update, revise, and enhance the Child Abuse and Neglect User Manual Series to reflect the current state of knowledge on child abuse and neglect. The new series provides:

• A foundation for understanding child abuse and neglect issues, as well as an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of various professionals in preventing, identifying, and responding to child maltreatment.
• Practical guidance to professionals involved in child protection, which includes promoting effective and collaborative practices in working with children and families.

Concise and easy-to-understand information to support training and education activities.

Target Audience

The target audience for the series is child protective services caseworkers, as well as community partners and professionals working with children and families in the fields of law enforcement, court and legal services, domestic violence, mental health, health care, substance abuse, child care, and education.

We Welcome Your Input

Please send feedback and your suggestions for enhancing the format and user-friendliness of the Child Abuse and Neglect User Manual Series to info@childwelfare.gov.