NCJ Number
68678
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 109-116
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER REVIEWS 10 ACTIONS THAT INTERDISCIPLINARY CHILD PROTECTION TEAMS OR INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO PROTECT AND TREAT THE ABUSED CHILD.
Abstract
THE CHILD SHOULD BE EVALUATED DEVELOPMENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY, THROUGH RECORDING THE CHILD'S DEVELOPMENTAL STATUS, CONDUCTING A PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT, OBSERVING PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION, AND EVALUATING SIBLINGS. THIS DATA SHOULD BE PRESENTED AT MULTIDISCIPLINARY REVIEW TEAM MEETINGS. A LAW GUARDIAN SHOULD BE APPOINTED FOR THE CHILD AND PROVIDED WITH ALL THE CHILD PROTECTION TEAM'S PERTINENT DATA. THE CASE SHOULD BE ADJUDICATED, WITH INPUT FROM BOTH THE PHYSICIAN AND THE SOCIAL WORKER. THE CHILD SHOULD BE PLACED IN FOSTER CARE IN CASES OF SEVERE INJURIES, REABUSE, MODERATE ABUSE TO A CHILD UNDER 1 YEAR OF AGE, COMPLETE PARENTAL REJECTION, UNDULY PROVOCATIVE BEHAVIOR BY THE CHILD, A DANGEROUS PARENT, MULTIPLE OR ONGOING CRISES, AND SIMILAR SITUATIONS. THE CHILD SHOULD BE RETURNED HOME IF THE PARENTS ARE COOPERATIVE, THE CHILD'S PROVOCATIVE BEHAVIOR IS IMPROVING, OR SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. A MULTIDISCIPLINARY CHILD PROTECTION TEAM SHOULD REVIEW ALL MAJOR DECISIONS IN CHILD ABUSE CASES. THE TEAM'S INFLUENCE SHOULD BE USED BY SENDING REPORTS TO ALL AGENCIES AND ATTORNEYS INVOLVED WITH THE CASE. HOSPITAL TREATMENT SHOULD PROVIDE A CONSISTENT, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHICH INVOLVES THE PARENTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. INDIRECT SERVICES FOR THE CHILD IN FOSTER CARE OR DAY CARE SHOULD BE UPGRADED. DIRECT TREATMENT SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THE CHILD AS WELL AS FOR THE PARENTS. PARENTAL RIGHTS SHOULD BE TERMINATED IF ALL OTHER EFFORTS HAVE FAILED AND THE PARENTS HAVE SHOWN NO IMPROVEMENT AFTER ABOUT A YEAR. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)