PLANNING MODEL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN IN RURAL AREAS

• NCJ Number: 69093
• Author(s): W A CHAMBERLAIN
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 35 pages
• Corporate Author: Regional Institute of Social Welfare Research, Inc.
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE FREQUENCY OF RURAL CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT COMBINED WITH THE UNDERDEVELOPMENT OF RURAL SERVICE RESOURCES NECESSITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAM MODELS WHICH INTEGRATE ASPECTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL LIFE.

Abstract

SUCCESSFUL RURAL SOCIAL PLANNING SHOULD PROCEED THROUGH SIX INTERRELATED STAGES. ALTHOUGH THESE STEPS SHOULD IDEALLY BE SEQUENTIAL, PLANNING ACTIVITY MAY INVOLVE SEVERAL OR ALL SIX STAGES SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH CYCLICAL MOVEMENT AMONG STAGES. IN THE ENTRY STEP, CONSULTANTS GAIN RECOGNITION, LEGITIMACY, AND ACCEPTANCE AMONG STATE, COUNTY, AND COMMUNITY DECISIONMAKERS. THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STEP IS A PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING PRESENT PROBLEMS AND EXISTING SERVICES AND ESTABLISHING NEW, POSITIVE SERVICE SYSTEM GOALS. THE DIAGNOSIS STEP INVOLVES ANALYZING THE FORCES PRESENT WHICH ENCOURAGE OR ACT TO PREVENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE SYSTEM'S GOALS. THE ACTION STEP ELIMINATES THOSE PREVENTIVE FORCES AND A SYSTEMS CHANGE STEP ADOPTS IMPROVEMENTS. SYNTHESIS AND MAINTENANCE ALLOW FOR THE CONTINUATION OF USEFUL SYSTEM CHANGES AND THE DISCONTINUATION OF CHANGES WHICH PROVED DYSFUNCTIONAL. THE APPLICATION OF THIS PLANNING METHOLOGY IS BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT RURAL, MULTICOUNTY PROTECTIVE SERVICE PLANNING INVOLVES COMPLEX INTERACTION AMONG (1) RESOURCE PROVIDERS, SUCH AS MEMBERS OF BOARDS OF VARIOUS SERVICE AGENCIES OR GOVERNMENT FUNDING AGENCIES; (2) TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPERS, INCLUDING THE DIRECTORS OF THE VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, THE POLICE CHIEF, HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS, AND ATTORNEYS AND JUDGES; (3) DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDERS, SUCH AS POLICE, SOCIAL CASEWORKERS, MINISTERS, PHYSICIANS, AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS; AND (4) SERVICE SYSTEM SUPPORTERS OF CITIZENS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT BUT NOT INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM, SUCH AS WOMEN'S CLUBS, CHURCH COMMITTEES, CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS, AND TEACHERS. IF IMPROVEMENT OR INNOVATION IS TO BE MAINTAINED, CRITICAL RESOURCES MUST BE COMMITTED FOR CONTINUATION. IF THE IMPROVEMENT IS FOUND TO HAVE LIMITED SUCCESS, THE CONTRIBUTING VARIABLES MUST BE IDENTIFIED AND ANALYZED TO ENSURE THAT MISTAKES ARE AVOIDED. FOOTNOTES AND 21 REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.