NCJ Number
40444
Date Published
1976
Length
83 pages
Annotation
THIS TASK FORCE REPORT EXAMINES THE EXTENT AND CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM OF INADEQUATE CHILD WELFARE SERVICES AND SUBSTITUTE CARE, AND PRESENTS A PHILOSOPHY AND PLAN OF ACTION FOR SOLVING THIS PROBLEM.
Abstract
THIS REPORT IS BASED ON NINE MONTHS OF STUDY, RESEARCH, AND DISCUSSION CONCERNING THE PROBLEM OF SUBSTITUTE CARE, DEFINED AS CARE FOR PEOPLE REQUIRING SHELTER OUTSIDE THEIR NATURAL FAMILY SETTING, ON A VOLUNTARY OR INVOLUNTARY BASIS, FOR EITHER EMERGENCY, SHORT-TERM, OR LONG-TERM PERIODS. THE REPORT IS ORGANIZED BY MAJOR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE. IT WAS FOUND THAT A LARGE AND GROWING NEED FOR SUBSTITUTE CARE EXISTS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY. THE PROBLEM IS AGGRAVATED BY SUCH FACTORS AS THE BREAKDOWN OF THE FAMILY, LACK OF RELEVANCY IN THE YOUTH CULTURE, PROBLEMS WITH SCHOOL, AND LACK OF PROGRAM COORDINATION FOR EXISTING SERVICES. MANY OF THE SUBSTITUTE CARE SERVICES SUCH AS JUVENILE COURTS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND SHELTER FACILITIES WERE FOUND TO BE INADEQUATE. TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION, A NUMBER OF REFORMS ARE RECOMMENDED, INCLUDING ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE COMMUNITY-BASED SHELTER PROGRAMS, EXPANSION OF SERVICES, REFORM OF JUVENILE COURT AND JUVENILE DETENTION PROCEDURES, AND CREATION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTHS. IN ADDITION, THE TASK FORCE FOUND THAT SUCH PROGRAMS AS 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICES, A FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM, AND THE BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER PROGRAM SHOULD BE EXPANDED....DMC