TRAINING FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION (FROM CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT - ISSUES ON INNOVATION AND IMPLEMENTATION - V 2, 1978, BY MICHAEL L LAUDERDALE, ET AL - SEE NCJ-59285)

• NCJ Number: 59295
• Author(s): J W GREEN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

TWO MODELS OF SERVICE ACTIVITY AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE EXAMINED.

Abstract

THE FIRST MODEL IS THAT OF INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROGRAMS PROLIFERATED IN THE 1970'S. THIS IS THE TRADITIONAL SOCIAL SERVICE MODEL, ADAPTED TO THE CHILD ABUSE PROBLEM AND THE PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENTAL DEMAND TO REACT TO THE PROBLEM. THE TRADITIONAL SOCIAL SERVICE MODEL IS SEGMENTED BECAUSE VARIOUS DISCRETE SERVICE UNITS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS AND CLIENTS. THESE SERVICE UNITS INCLUDE PHYSICIANS, CLINICS, POLICE, JUDGES, VOLUNTEER GROUPS, CHILD PROTECTIVE CASE WORKERS, SELF-HELP GROUPS, STATE DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES, FEDERALLY-FUNDED RESOURCE CENTERS, DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, PRIVATE TRAINING CURRICULUM CONTRACTORS, SCHOOLS OF SOCIAL WORK, AND OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS. IN ADDITION TO INSTITUTIONAL AUTONOMY, SEGMENTAL SPECIALIZATION RESULTS IN HIGHLY FRAGMENTED VIEWS ABOUT THE NATURE OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT. SERVICE DELIVERY IS PRIMARILY A CLINICAL FORM OF SERVICE, AND SERVICE TENDS TO BE PROBLEM-SPECIFIC AND EMPHASIZES THE RESOLUTION OF PRESENTING SYMPTOMS. THE SECOND MODEL REFLECTS THE INCREASED INVOLVEMENT OF CONSUMERS IN SOCIAL SERVICE DELIVERY AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. IT IS TERMED A COMMUNITY-ORIENTED MODEL WHICH BEGINS WITH CLIENTS AND PROBLEMS RATHER THAN WITH INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS. THE MODEL VIEWS ABUSIVE AND NEGLECTFUL BEHAVIOR AS CONGRUENT WITH OTHER ASPECTS OF A CLIENT'S LIFESTYLE. ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE CONSIDERED TO BE BOTH PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY PROBLEMS AND, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, THE COMMUNITY IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR TRAUMAS EXPERIENCED BY ITS MEMBERS. THE TRAINING OF SOCIAL WORKERS TO FUNCTION IN A COMMUNITY-ORIENTED SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL IS DISCUSSED, AND WAYS OF OVERCOMING THE CLINICAL ORIENTATION OF MANY CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION ACTIVITIES ARE ADDRESSED. TRAINING FOR PREVENTION, COUPLED WITH PROGRAM REDESIGN TO MEET CLIENT AND COMMUNITY NEEDS RATHER THAN AGENCY AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF NEEDS, IS STRESSED. (DEP)