VOLUNTEERS IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROGRAMS

• NCJ Number: 51204
• Author(s): R HERNER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 34 pages
• Contract Number(s): HEW-105-76-1136
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Corporate Author: Herner and Co
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Annotation

THIS REPORT DESCRIBES ASPECTS INVOLVING THE INCREASED USE OF VOLUNTEERS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES EMPHASIZING THEIR INNOVATIVE ROLES IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROGRAMS.

Abstract

PRIVATE AGENCIES TRADITONALLY HAVE MADE EXTENSIVE USE OF VOLUNTEERS, BUT PUBLIC AGENCIES ONLY RECENTLY HAVE BEGUN TO INCORPORATE THEM INTO THEIR STAFFS. IN THE PAST, VOLUNTEERS HAVE SERVED IN THE FOLLOWING CAPACITIES: NONSPECIALIZED FUNCTIONS, FUND RAISING, ORGANIZING AND COORDINATING, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS, AND PROFESSIONAL FUNCTIONS. THE 1967 AMENDMENTS TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT REQUIRED THAT ALL STATES DIRECT EFFORTS TOWARD THE USE OF THE NONPAID WORKER. INCREASED AWARENESS AND IMPROVED REPORTING HAVE CAUSED THE GROWING PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT TO COME WITHIN THE REALM OF SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. AN EXPANDING ROLE FOR VOLUNTEERS HAS BEEN THE RESULT OF PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS. VOLUNTEERS IN PROTECTIVE SERVICE AGENCIES MAY BE ABLE TO FORM RELATIONSHIPS WITH CLIENTS WHICH ARE NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE CASEWORKER. THEIR UNPAID STATUS AND NONAUTHORITATIVE POSITIONS MAY INDICATE TO THE CLIENT THAT THEY ARE INVOLVED BECAUSE THEY CARE. IT IS THEREFORE EASIER FOR THE CLIENT TO IDENTIFY WITH THE VOLUNTEER. A NUMBER OF INNOVATIVE ROLES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED FOR VOLUNTEERS IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: LAY THERAPISTS, PARENT AIDES, SURROGATE PARENTS, AND DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDERS. VOLUNTEERS ARE GENERALLY RELIABLE, HARD WORKING, AND ENTHUSIASTIC. THE USE OF VOLUNTEERS, HOWEVER, MAY PRESENT PROBLEMS RESULTING IN A LACK OF COOPERATION OR RESISTANCE BY REGULAR AGENCY STAFF WHO FEEL THREATENED. THE DECISION TO USE VOLUNTEERS IN ANY CAPACITY SHOULD BE BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE PROGRAM. FOOTNOTES, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND APPENDIXES WHICH IDENTIFY CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROGRAMS USING VOLUNTEERS, ARE PROVIDED. (JCP)