CHILD WELFARE

Jason Acosta, Joseph Vera, Lynnette Ortiz May 3, 2011

OVERVIEW

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

History of Child Welfare Major contributors Statistics Theories Current Trends and Issues Roles

CHILD WELFARE HISTORY

Throughout the history of the United States, the child welfare system has evolved according to changing beliefs and attitudes about what role government should play in the protection and care of abused and neglected children.
As public awareness about child abuse and the damage it caused grew, the importance of child protection received greater attention by government officials.

HISTORY-EXPANDING ROLE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Expanding role of the federal government the federal governments role in the modern child welfare system has increased as federal funding augmentations are accompanied by new rules and requirements emphasizing greater accountability on the part of states in achieving positive child outcomes.

HISTORY- SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OF 1935

The Social Security Act of 1935 authorized the first federal grants for child welfare services Though relatively small, these first federal grants served as an impetus for states to establish child welfare agencies and to develop local programs to deliver child welfare services. Federal funding for child welfare services increased, and states were required to match federal grants with state funds. The bill was written by the President's Committee on Economic Security, chaired by Frances Perkins.

MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS-FRANCIS PERKINS

Feminist First woman to be appointed to a Cabinet post (Secretary of Labor) held post through both FDR terms Contributed greatly to the writing of the New Deal legislation

JOSEPHINE WEIL GANDELMAN

developed the first public child welfare programs in central Louisiana to offer child protection services to neglected children, services to unmarried mothers, foster home services for children, and adoption Especially active in recruiting black adoptive homes, Gandelman made the first black adoption placement in the agencys history in 1972

Placement settings

STATISTICS: NEW YORK

Age of children and youth in care:

< 1 year

4%

12-15 years

19%

1-5 years 6-11 years

Race: White

28% 22%

16-18 years 19 years

41% 49% 0% 0.7% 9% 21%

19% 7%

In Out-of-Home care Black or African American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Island Asian Other Hispanic/Latino

American Indian/Alaska Native 0.4%

Last updated: 3/17/11

TRENDS

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES

The original Social Security Act also created the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program, in order to help states provide financial assistance to needy dependent children. (In 1962, this program was renamed Aid to Families with Dependent Children, or AFDC. AFDC was in turn replaced by the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or TANF, block grant program in 1996.) Temporary Assistance is temporary help for needy men, women and children. If you are unable to work, can't find a job, or your job does not pay enough, TA may be able to help you pay for your expenses. 60 month limit (5 years)

REUNIFICATION

Reunification is a primary goal in child welfare Permanency

BIIH: Bridges to Health provide expanded and enhanced services to at least 3,300 foster children with disabilities, including children in OCFS custody. These children typically have serious emotional problems or developmental disabilities or are medically fragile. The program also will serve their families, including birth parents, foster parents, preadoptive parents, and siblings.

THEORIES

Attachment theory
childs relationship with a primary caregiver during infancy is critically important to later development and serves as a prototype for the childs relationships throughout the lifespan (Howe, 1995) usefulness in understanding the psychological ramifications of child abuse and neglect

REFORMS

no single comprehensive child welfare program at the federal level Aid to Dependent Children-Foster Care
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980

TRANSITIONAL LIVING

In 1986, out of concern that adolescents who aged-out of the foster care system were not equipped to live on their own, Congress authorized the Independent Living Program. The new program, which was authorized under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, provided funding for states to help older foster youth make the transition from foster care to independence.

ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKER

Every state has a public agency that is charged with the delivery of services in response to reports of child abuse and neglect prevention and early intervention required to ensure a childs safety when the child is abused or neglected or when a caregiver is unable or unwilling to protect his or her child receive and assess allegations of abuse and neglect, assess childrens safety and risk of future harm, evaluate a familys capacity to participate in services provided, and plan and coordinate interventions and services for families

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN CHILD WELFARE FIELD

School social workers Case workers for child protective services Foster care social workers Administrative social workers Juvenile justice systems

WORK CITED

http://advancesinsocialwork.iupui.edu/index.php/advancesinsocialwork/article/viewFile/1 74/167 http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/info_services/state/New%20York.pdf http://www.illinoischildwelfare.org/archives/volume3/icw3-8.pdf http://www.ocwtp.net/PDFs/Assmt%20III%20Trends%20in%20Child%20Welfare.pdf http://ocfs.state.ny.us/bridgestohealth/ http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/ten_for_2010/OCFS_ChildWelfareFinance_Final.pdf http://www.ncsl.org/IssuesResearch/HumanServices/tabid/123/Default.aspx U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2006). The AFCARS Report: Final Estimate for FY 1998 Through FY 2002 (12). Retrieved January 7, 2010, from www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/afcars/tar/report12.htm U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2009). The AFCARS Report: Preliminary FY 2008 Estimates as of October 2009 (16). Retrieved January 7, 2010 from www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/afcars/tar/report16.htm