NCJ Number
154117
Journal
Child Welfare Volume: 74 Issue: 2 Dated: (March/April 1995) Pages: 337-350
Date Published
1995
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Because child welfare workers are facing a growing threat of physical violence as they carry out their responsibilities to protect children and support families, New Jersey's Division of Youth and Family Services has devised a plan to improve health and safety measures for social service workers.
Abstract
In New Jersey, 25 violent incidents involving child welfare workers occurred between July 1992 and July 1993. Ten of these incidents required some type of police involvement. All workers sustained some degree of emotional stress, many endured serious psychological reactions, and 11 required medical attention. In response, New Jersey devised a nine-point plan to improve health and safety measures for social service workers: (1) mandate the use of a teamed response (buddy system); (2) create a worker safety manual; (3) require compulsory safety training of social service workers; (4) advise staff of their right to self-defense; (5) establish a worker safety committee; (6) establish protocols to assist and support staff members who are victims of violence; (7) develop strategies for effectively providing services to clients in high-crime areas; (8) improve communications systems to promote worker safety; and (9) file criminal charges against any person who assaults or otherwise threatens a social service worker. 3 references