This manual reflects the widespread recognition that coordinated multidisciplinary responses are needed to address the complex needs of today's children and families. It offers guidance on how diverse community agencies, organizations, and individuals can join together to provide a web of support for families and create safe, healthy environments for children to thrive. The manual describes the benefits of community partnerships, outlines the steps to establishing and sustaining partnerships, and provides information on how to measure results. It also describes ways in which child protective services can adapt their practices to engage families' natural support systems and increase community involvement in child protection. The importance of responsive, family-centered approaches is underscored throughout the manual. The appendices provide valuable resources, including checklists, sample forms, and success stories.

Written for new child protective services (CPS) caseworkers, professionals working with children and families, other professionals and concerned community members, this manual addresses the definition, scope, causes, and consequences of child abuse and neglect. It presents an overview of prevention efforts and the child protection process from identification and reporting through investigation and assessment to service provision and case closure. This manual is intended to accompany each profession-specific manual in the User Manual Series. Appendices include a glossary of terms, resource listings of selected national organizations concerned with child maltreatment, and State toll-free child abuse reporting numbers. 150 references.

This manual, designed to examine the roles that teachers, school counselors, school social workers, school nurses, special education professionals, administrators, and other school personnel have in helping maltreated children, provides the basis for the involvement of educators in combating the problem of child abuse and neglect. It also may be used by other professionals involved in child abuse and neglect interventions, such as child protective services, mental health, law enforcement, health care, and early childhood professionals, to gain a better understanding of the role of educators in child protection. Specifically, this manual addresses the following topics: Identifying reasons why educators are concerned; Recognizing child abuse and neglect; Reporting child abuse and neglect; Providing support after the report; and Preventing child abuse and neglect. Appendices include an educators' checklist for recognizing possible child maltreatment and a sample report of suspected child abuse and neglect.

Part of a series of manuals designed to provide guidance on child protection practices, this manual explains court processes most relevant to child abuse and neglect cases. It introduces concepts and terminology associated with the courts, describes the key court processes, and presents practical information to help child protective services caseworkers prepare for court litigation. Specific chapters address: the general or common court system; the powers of the court and the rights of parents and children in child maltreatment cases; the interplay between child maltreatment legislation and caseworker practice; the juvenile court process; the criminal court process; domestic relations and other court proceedings; the issues involved in going to court, including the rules of evidence, court reports, and testifying; the relationship between caseworkers and the court; and court improvement and best practices. Appendices include a glossary, resource listings, and guidelines for caseworkers for permanency and review hearings. 93 references.