Identification of Neglect

Child neglect can take many forms. Physical neglect is the failure to provide for a child's basic survival needs, such as nutrition, clothing, shelter, hygiene, and medical care. Physical neglect may also involve inadequate supervision of a child and other forms of reckless disregard of the child's safety and welfare. Educational neglect involves the failure of a parent or caregiver to enroll a child of mandatory school age in school or to provide appropriate homeschooling or needed special education training. Medical neglect is the failure to provide or to allow needed care as recommended by a competent health-care professional for a physical injury, illness, medical condition, or impairment. It also includes the failure to seek timely and appropriate medical care for a serious health problem that any reasonable person would have recognized as needing professional medical attention. Chronic neglect is any type of child neglect that occurs on a recurring or enduring basis. Below, find resources define and identify the signs and symptoms of physical, educational, medical, and chronic child neglect.

Child Neglect: Assessment and Intervention (PDF - 155 KB)
Hornor (2014)
Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 28(2)
Provides information to practitioners to better understand and respond to child neglect. The article discusses risk factors of neglect as well as the medical assessment and plan of care for children when neglect is suspected. 

Chronic School Absenteeism in the Elementary Grades
Sugrue (2015)
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare
Examines a truancy intervention program, be@school, designed to address chronic absenteeism for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The materials presented are intended for child protection workers and supervisors working with children who are experiencing chronic absenteeism.

Educational Empowerment: A Child’s Right to Attend Public School (PDF - 223 KB)
Green (2014)
The Georgetown Law Journal, 103
Discusses the circumstances of a homeschooled youth wanting to attend public school and what the legal rights of the youth and parents are.

How Can Understanding Risk and Protective Factors Predict Chronic Neglect for CPS-Involved Families?
Casey Family Programs (2020)
Presents a summary of a study that examines the use of risk assessment tools to predict subsequent chronic neglect. Findings showed the strongest predictors of chronic neglect were parent cognitive impairment, history of substitute care, mental health problems in parents, and a higher number of allegations in the first report to child protective services. 

The Role of Cultural Competency in Effective Consumer Service Delivery [Webinar]
National Children’s Advocacy Center (2013)
Presents strategies for developing a culturally sensitive and competent workforce to respond to growing diversity among consumers within human services.

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