NCJ Number
43956
Editor(s)
P BARKIN
Date Published
1977
Length
159 pages
Annotation
ELEVEN DIFFERENT PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE, HANDLE REPORTS, AND PROVIDE SERVICE TO BOTH THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY ARE EXAMINED TO OFFER GUIDANCE TO OTHERS IN SETTING UP SUCH PROGRAMS.
Abstract
THE POLITICAL SUPPORT NECESSARY BEFORE EVEN STARTING A CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT SERVICE, STEPS WHICH MUCH BE TAKEN TO ASSESS NEEDS, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PROGRAM GOALS ARE EXPLAINED. ALTERNATIVE ORGANIZATION MODELS AND STAFFING PATTERNS ARE EXPLORED. SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION, MEDICAL CARE, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND RESOURCES FOR SPECIFIC CLIENT NEEDS ARE DISCUSSED. TYPES OF PROGRAMS COVERED INCLUDE THE PROTECTIVE SERVICES MODEL (USUALLY HOUSED IN AN EXISTING SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY), THE HOSPITAL MODEL, THE PRIVATE SERVICE AGENCY, THE VOLUNTEER AGENCY, AND THE COORDINATION MODEL. TREATMENT STRATEGIES VARY FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPROACH, TO THE SOCIOECONOMIC APPROACH, AND THE EDUCATIONAL APPROACH. A COMBINATION IS LIKELY TO BE MOST SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE CASES VARY GREATLY. HISTORICALLY, TREATMENT HAS BEEN LIMITED TO THE ADULTS IN THE FAMILY. EXAMINATION OF THESE PROGRAMS, HOWEVER, REVEALS THAT THE CHILD ALSO NEEDS THERAPY. SOME PROGRAMS DO, WHILE OTHERS DO NOT, INVOLVE FORMER CLIENTS IN THERAPY FOR OTHER CLIENTS. CASE MANAGEMENT, WISE USE OF FINANCIAL AND HUMAN RESOURCES, AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. APPENDIXES PRESENT CASE STUDIES OF THE FAMILY CENTER IN ADAMS COUNTY, COLO.; PRO-CHILD OF ARLINGTON, VA.; THE ARKANSAS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROJECT OF LITTLE ROCK; AND THE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER, ST. LOUIS, MO. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED, AND SAMPLE RECORDKEEPING FORMS ARE ILLUSTRATED.