NCJ Number
45245
Date Published
1977
Length
147 pages
Annotation
THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES BY A VOLUNTARY CHILD PROTECTION AGENCY IN CHICAGO, ILL., IS DOCUMENTED.
Abstract
THE 5-YEAR DEMONSTRATION PROJECT, KNOWN AS THE BOWEN CENTER, WORKED WITH 35 FAMILIES FROM IMPOVERISHED NEIGHBORHOODS ON CHICAGO'S NORTH SIDE. THE FAMILIES, CHARACTERIZED BY PERVASIVE AND CHRONIC DYSFUNCTION IN NEARLY ALL AREAS AND BY THE PRESENCE OF SUBSTANTIAL CHILD NEGLECT, WERE REFERRED BY OTHR AGENCIES AND BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT WAS TO DELIVER A FULL RANGE OF INTEGRATED SERVICE TO AT-RISK CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROJECT FOCUSED ON TREATMENT OF THE TOTAL FAMILY, APPLICATIONS OF EGO PSYCHOLOGY, AND DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE TREATMENT STRATEGIES. PROJECT SERVICES INCLUDED CASEWORK, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, HEALTH CARE SERVICES, DAY CARE, GROUP WORK, PUPIL SUPPORT, HOMEMAKER SERVICES, EMERGENCY SHELTER CARE, FOSTER CARE, AND EDUCATIONAL THERAPY. DETAILS OF THE PROTECT'S DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION, CLIENTELE, AND SERVICES ARE PRESENTED TOGETHER WITH CASE STUDIES AND ASSESSMENTS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EACH SERVICE. THE PROJECT FOUND THAT CHILDREN WHO WERE ABLE TO REMAIN IN THEIR OWN HOMES WHILE RECEIVING SERVICES MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT. IMPROVEMENT IN PARENTAL FUNCTIONING CAME MORE SLOWLY, RANGING FROM SUBSTANTIAL TO MINIMAL. THESE AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE BOWEN CENTER'S EXPERIENCE ARE DISCUSSED, AND FINDINGS OF FOLLOWUP CONTACTS WITH PROJECT FAMILIES ARE NOTED. SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)