Identification of Neglect

Offers resources to define and identify the signs and symptoms of different types of child neglect.

Challenges in the Evaluation of Child Neglect
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (2008)
View Abstract
Discusses the causes of neglect and provides strategies and checklists for the investigation and assessment of neglect.

Child Neglect
American Humane
Includes information on types of neglect and what you can do.

Child Neglect: A Guide for Prevention, Assessment and Intervention
Author(s)
Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children's Bureau
DePanfilis, Diane.
Availability View
Download (PDF - 1,143KB)
Year Published 2006
Child protective services (CPS), a division within state and local social service agencies, is at the center of every communities' child protection efforts. In most jurisdictions, CPS is the agency mandated by law to conduct an initial assessment or investigation of reports of child abuse or neglect. CPS does not work alone. Many community professionals -- including law enforcement officers, health care providers, mental health professionals, educators, legal and court system personnel, and substitute care providers -- are involved in efforts to prevent, identify, investigate and treat child abuse and neglect. In addition, community and faith-based organizations, substance abuse treatment facilities, advocates for victims of domestic violence, extended family members, and concerned citizens play important roles in supporting families and in keeping children safe from harm. Typically, CPS is the lead agency in coordinating the efforts of the various disciplines working to protect children and to educate the community about the problems of child abuse and neglect.

Definition and Measurement of Neglectful Behavior: Some Principles and Guidelines
Straus & Kaufman
Child Abuse and Neglect: The International Journal, 29(1), 2005
View Abstract
Brings clarity to definitions and measurement of child neglect.

Noticing and Helping the Neglected Child: Literature Review (PDF - 235 KB)
Daniel, Taylor, & Scott (2009)
Synthesizes research on the signals families use to show they need help and how the signals are recognized and responded to by health professionals, social workers, and the general public.

Tackling Child Neglect: A Role for Pediatricians
Dubowitz
Pediatric Clinics of North America, 56(2), 2009
View Abstract
Addresses the importance of identifying neglect, provides definitions, and presents concepts for assessing and addressing neglect.

When Is Lack of Supervision Neglect? (PDF - 240 KB)
Hymel & American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect
Pediatrics, 118(3), 2006
Presents guidance for pediatricians considering a referral to a child protective services agency because they suspect a child has been inadequately supervised (supervisory neglect).

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Physical neglect

Boarder Babies, Abandoned Infants, and Discarded Infants (PDF - 62 KB)
National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center (2005)
Discusses definitions, prevalence, characteristics, and financial implications for boarder babies, abandoned infants, and discarded infants. This brief also explains the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act and safe haven laws.

Children Caring for Themselves and Child Neglect: When Do They Overlap? (PDF - 101 KB)
Zielewski, Malm, & Geen (2006)
Considers how child welfare agencies determine whether unsupervised children are victims of neglect. The report includes the prevalence and definitions of self-care, the significance of lack of supervision to child protection agencies, reasons families leave children unattended, and more.

National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center
Provides training, information, and resources to service providers who assist abandoned infants and those at risk of abandonment due to the presence of drugs or HIV in the family.

Physical Abuse and Neglect of Children
Dubowitz & Bennett
Lancet, 369(9576), 2007
Discusses simple screening tools doctors can use to detect the presence of physical abuse or neglect and document and report it.

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Educational neglect

Child Protection and Educational Neglect: A Preliminary Study: Title IV-E Curriculum Module
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (2009)
Offers an online curriculum that presents study results on the response of the Minnesota child welfare system to children and families with a maltreatment finding of educational neglect. The study uses data from both public education and child welfare systems. Also see the full report. (PDF - 208 KB)

Educational Neglect
New York State Education Department (2009)
Describes the Federal and State laws related to educational neglect and provides items to consider when reporting or investigating.

Educational Neglect and School Truancy: What Parents and Children Need to Know (PDF - 56 KB)
Oakland County (Michigan) Youth Assistance (2009)
Discusses the effects, contributing factors, and consequences of educational neglect and truancy.

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Emotional neglect

Assessing Emotional Neglect in Infants (PDF - 340 KB)
Wotherspoon & Gough (2008)
Describes the importance of recognizing and assessing emotional neglect in young children who are not yet able to talk.

Emotional Harm and Neglect: The Legal Response
Sheehan
Child Abuse Review, 15, 2006
View Abstract
Reports on a study of the extent to which child protection applications brought to an Australian court were based on emotional/psychological harm or neglect of a child and what factors were presented as evidence of harm or neglect.

Emotional Neglect (PDF - 62 KB)
Child Abuse Prevention Fund (Wisconsin) (2006)
Describes emotional neglect and offers parents suggestions to prevent it.

Introduction to Emotional Abuse and Neglect (PDF - 482 KB)
Iwaniec (2006)
In The Emotionally Abused and Neglected Child: Identification, Assessment and Intervention: A Practice Handbook (2nd ed.)
Reviews the history of the concept of emotional abuse and neglect, early research studies, and related terminology. The chapter further provides sample case studies and consequences of emotional abuse.

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Medical neglect

Recognizing and Responding to Medical Neglect (PDF - 79 KB)
Jenny
Pediatrics, 120(6), 2007
Recommends that health-care professionals responding to medical neglect should perform a comprehensive child and family assessment using the least intrusive options possible.

When Prayer Fails: Faith Healing, Children, and the Law
Peters (2007)
View Abstract
Examines legal and ethical questions that arise when criminal prosecutions are mounted against parents whose children die as a result of religion-based medical neglect. The introductory chapters provide an overview of religion-based medical neglect and the tradition of spiritual healing.

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Chronic neglect

Chronic Child Neglect
American Humane
Presents a collection of resources for professionals, including a primer on chronic neglect, research, articles, and learning and networking opportunities.

Chronic Child Neglect: Needed Developments in Theory and Practice (PDF - 952 KB)
Wilson & Horner
Families in Society, 86(4), 2005
Discusses reports of neglect in Washington State as well as recurrence and chronic neglect.

Shining Light on Chronic Neglect (PDF - 101 KB)
Kaplan, Schene, DePanfilis, & Gilmore
Protecting Children, 24(1), 2009
Provides an overview of the definition and prevalence of child neglect and discusses the challenges of reaching families with neglect concerns. The article includes markers of chronic neglect, of specialized practice, and of public agency response.

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