NCJ Number
51784
Journal
Child Welfare Volume: 57 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 187-195
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
PROJECT CHILDREN, INITIATED IN 1975 IN A FIVE-COUNTY AREA OF INDIANA THAT WAS 61.6 PERCENT RURAL, IS DESCRIBED. ITS AIM WAS TO INFORM AND INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT TREATMENT AND PREVENTION.
Abstract
SELECTION OF A PROJECT CHILDREN COORDINATOR WAS A FIVE-COUNTY COOPERATIVE EFFORT. THE COORDINATOR'S JOB WAS TO DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING AND SERVING FAMILIES. NEEDS ASSESSMENT WAS CONDUCTED AND THEN PROGRAM OBJECTIVES WERE ESTABLISHED. OBJECTIVES WERE TO BECOME VISIBLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND MADE KNOWN TO INFLUENTIAL PERSONS WHO MIGHT LATER BE RECRUITED TO AID THE PROGRAM, AS WELL AS TO DETERMINE COMMUNITY ATTITUDES TOWARD PROGRAM INNOVATION AND REPORTING RESPONSIBILITY WITH RESPECT TO CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. A 2-DAY TRAINING SESSION FOR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE STAFF WAS HELD TO INCREASE THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF'S EXPERTISE IN CHILD ABUSE AND TO DETERMINE THE VARIOUS APPROACHES TO INVESTIGATION AND TREATMENT BEING USED IN THE COUNTIES. FROM THIS TRAINING, INDIVIDUAL COUNTY CHILD ABUSE CASE CONSULTATION CONTRACTS WERE INITIATED. CHILD PROTECTION TEAMS WERE DEVELOPED COMPOSED OF PHYSICIANS, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE WORKERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS OR PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKERS, POLICE OFFICERS, AND NURSES. A HOSPITAL PROTOCOL FOR REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE CASES WAS DEVISED AS WELL AS A PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING HOSPITAL CHILD ABUSE CASES. THE CHILD PROTECTION TEAM IS AUTHORIZED TO INVESTIGATE HOSPITAL-REFERRED CHILD ABUSE CASES BY EVALUATING THE FAMILY AND SOCIAL HISTORY, MEDICAL HISTORY, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STATUS OF THE PARENTS AND THE CHILD. IF ABUSE OR NEGLECT IS CONFIRMED, A TREATMENT PLAN IS DESIGNED AND FORWARDED TO THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT. PARENT AIDE VOLUNTEERS WERE RECRUITED TO WORK WITH ABUSING PARENTS ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS AND WERE TRAINED IN THE DYNAMICS OF CHILD ABUSE, HIGH RISK INDICATORS, AND CRISIS INTERVENTION. AN OUTREACH EFFORT WAS CONDUCTED TO EDUCATE CITIZENS IN CHILD ABUSE IDENTIFICATION, INDIANA CHILD ABUSE LAW AND REPORTING PROCEDURES, AND CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY. IN THE AREA OF PREVENTION, SEVERAL LOCAL SCHOOLS ADDED A PARENTHOOD COURSE, AND AN ADULT PROGRAM ON SYSTEMATIC TRAINING FOR PARENTHOOD WAS INSTITUTED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.