FIELD TRIAL OF CHILD ADVOCACY IN WISCONSIN (FROM UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN CONFERENCE ON CHILD ADVOCACY PROCEEDINGS, 1976, BY JACK C WESTMAN - SEE NCJ-50570)

• NCJ Number: 50576
• Author(s): J C WESTMAN; C L STILES
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 19 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Wisconsin
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A WISCONSIN PROGRAM TO TEST THE FEASIBILITY OF A CHILD ADVOCACY CONCEPT IS DISCUSSED. THE PROGRAM BEGAN IN 1968 AND WAS SPONSORED BY THE WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

Abstract

THE PROGRAM STRATEGY WAS BASED ON THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT THE CHILD ADVOCACY CONCEPT WOULD PROVIDE A CONVENIENT AND ACCEPTABLE FOCUS FOR DRAWING ATTENTION TO CHILDREN, A STIMULATION OF AWARENESS WOULD UNCOVER UNMET NEEDS OF CHILDREN, SPECIFIC ACTION PROGRAMS WOULD BE DESIGNED TO MEET THESE NEEDS, AND NO SINGLE CHILD ADVOCACY MODEL WOULD ADAPT TO ALL COMMUNITIES. A PARENT COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED TO ORGANIZE THE PARENTS OF TROUBLED CHILDREN AND YOUTH. COMMITTEES OF LAY AND PROFESSIONAL PERSONS WERE ORGANIZED IN 70 COUNTIES OF THE STATE TO ASSESS COMMUNITY SERVICES IN AREAS LIKE MENTAL HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND HEALTH CARE. ELEVEN PUBLIC HEARINGS WERE CONDUCTED BY STATE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATIONS TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC NEEDS AND ISSUES, AND REGIONAL TRAINING CONFERENCES WERE HELD TO PROMOTE LOCAL LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL ACTION. A GOVERNOR'S ADVOCACY COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WAS ALSO ESTABLISHED. CERTAIN OBSERVATIONS WERE DERIVED FROM THE WISCONSIN EXPERIENCE: THERE IS A GENERALLY AMBIVALENT PUBLIC ATTITUDE TOWARD CHILDREN, PEOPLE TEND TO CONFUSE A CHILD'S NEEDS WITH A CHILD'S WANTS, MANY PERSONS BELIEVE THAT FAMILY ADVOCACY SHOULD BE STRESSED RATHER THAN CHILD ADVOCACY, AND THERE IS A NOTICEABLE FEAR OR ENVY OF YOUTH AMONG MANY ADULTS. EDUCATORS ARE LIKELY TO BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE CHILD ADVOCACY CONCEPT AS WELL AS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES AND PERSONS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH FIELDS. THE MONEY FOR SERVICES WILL COME FROM FEDERAL FUNDS IN THE COMMUNITY AND WILL CENTER AROUND HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE SERVICES. CHILD ADVOCACY SHOULD NOT ENDANGER THE FAMILY INFLUENCE ON THE CHILD, SINCE FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP WILL LIMIT ITS IMPACT ON POLITICAL ISSUES. IT SHOULD PROVIDE A STABLE, CONTINUOUS LIFE EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN THAT IS DIFFICULT WITH THE EXISTING WELFARE SYSTEM AND POLICIES OF CATEGORICAL AID TO CHILDREN RELATING ONLY TO PORTIONS OF THEIR LIVES. A BROAD BASE OF LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL, PRIVATE, AND CONSUMER PARTICIPATION IN THE ADVOCACY SYSTEM IS NECESSARY TO REALIZE ITS FULL POTENTIAL. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (DAG)