COOPERATIVE APPROACHES TO CHILD PROTECTION - A COMMUNITY GUIDE

• NCJ Number: 45093
• Author(s): M URZI
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 160 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Corporate Author: Minnesota Dept of Public Welfare
• Sale Source: Minnesota Dept of Public Welfare
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS HANDBOOK DELINEATES PROCEDURES, STRATEGIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY, COMMUNITY CHILD PROTECTION PROGRAMS IN MINNESOTA.

Abstract

THE HANDBOOK'S CENTRAL PREMISE IS THAT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IS BOTH A FAMILY AND A COMMUNITY PROBLEM. IT IS BASED ON THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT: (1) THE INCIDENCE OF CHILD ABUSE CAN BE REDUCED; (2) MOST AGENCIES AND PROFESSIONALS ARE COMMITTED TO REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF CHILD ABUSE; (3) AGENCIES AND PROFESSIONALS NEED TO COLLABORATE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE TO CHILD ABUSE; AND (4) THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY, INTERAGENCY APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM WILL, IN THE LONG RUN, BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT APPROACH. AN OVERVIEW IS GIVEN OF THE GOALS OF A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY PROGRAM, I.E., TO PROVIDE: COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES WHICH ACT TO SUPPORT FAMILY LIFE; EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF 'HIGH RISK' FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY SUPPORTING THOSE UNDER STRESS; AND CRISIS INTERVENTION, EMERGENCY, THERAPEUTIC AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FAMILIES IN WHICH ABUSE HAS OCCURRED. THE ACTUAL STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF A COMMUNITY-BASED TEAM TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES IS OUTLINED. GUIDELINES ARE PROVIDED FOR A COMMUNITY SEEKING TO IMPLEMENT SUCH A PROGRAM, AND AN ASSESSMENT GUIDE IS PROVIDED TO AID IN EVALUATING A COMMUNITY'S EXISTING CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES. POTENTIAL BARRIERS TO COOPERATION ARE IDENTIFIED, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR OVERCOMING THEM ARE PRESENTED. PROVISIONS OF THE MINNESOTA DATA PRIVACY ACT AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR A COMMUNITY PROGRAM ARE DISCUSSED. THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SEVERAL AGENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM -- WELFARE, HEALTH, LAW ENFORCEMENT, COURTS, MENTAL HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND CHILD CARE -- ARE OUTLINED. APPENDIXES PROVIDE: A GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN CHILD PROTECTION; BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF EXISTING COMMUNITY-BASED TEAMS IN MINNESOTA; A SUMMARY OF MINNESOTA STATUTES RELATING TO CHILD MALTREATMENT, CURRENT AS OF 1977; AND A LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS AND FILMS WHICH CAN BE USED AS SOURCES OF INFORMATION.