Consuelo Gomez California State University, Long Beach May 2012
Problem Child neglect is the most frequently reported and substantiated form of child maltreatment in the United States (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2010). In 2009, 78. 3% of all substantiated reports by child protective services were due to neglect (USDHHS, 2010). Overrepresentation has been found for African-American, Alaska Native/American Indian, and Latino child victims (USDHHS, 2010). The most dominant risk factors identified for child neglect are poverty, mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence ( Berry, Charlson, & Dawson, 2003; Tyler, Allison, & Winsler, 2006; Marcenko, Lyons, & Courtney, 2010; Sykes, 2011; Ethier, Courture, & Lasharite, 2004; Carter & Myers, 2006; Palusci, 2011). Program Goal The goal of this program is for parents who are receiving services from Los Angeles County DCFS Wateridge office in SPA 6 to be self sufficient, to be reunited with their children, and to have reduced child neglect reocurrence or re-entry into the child welfare system.
A family support program for families in the child welfare system has significant relevance for the social work field/profession because social workers are trained to deal with factors such as over-representation, poverty, bias, discrimination, and lack of services. Social workers can provide interventions needed to overcome risk factors related to child neglect. Social workers can provide unbiased services to families, can provide linkage to needed services, can address barriers, and can advocate for them.
African American, Native American, and Latinos are overrepresented in the child welfare system and families are overwhelmingly poor and living in impoverished communities. These ethnic minority children are more likely to have longer stays in foster care and less likely to be reunified with their birth families (Busch, Wall, Koch, & Anderson, 2008). Because of the overrepresentation and possible service delivery issues, this proposed program will utilize culturally diverse staff members who will be bilingual. In addition, staff will be trained regarding the cultural factors that may reduce the willingness of clients to access services.
Target Population Families in the child welfare system substantiated for child neglect, either exclusively or in combination with another type of abuse. Strategies used to identify/select funding source Conducted Internet searches via local, state, and federal websites. Visited the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership center and searched their database. Keywords used: children and youth services, family services, children services, and children in foster care.
Funding Source Selected The Stuart Foundation, which funds public and child welfare agencies for vulnerable and in-need youth. Sources used for the needs assessment The Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, Child Welfare Information Gateway, U. S. Census, Center for Social Services Research via the School of Social Welfare, U. C. Berkeley, and California State University, Long Beach library database. Budget Projected budget is $138, 405. 28 for one year for staff salaries and benefits, direct program costs, and inkind expenses.
Program Summary and Description Case management services, employment workshops, and support groups for 30 -40 families for one year. Referrals for families to meet their individual needs, such as housing, employment, substance use, and mental health services. Presentations from former parents involved with DCFS. Population Served Families referred by DCFS Wateridge SPA 6 office located in Los Angeles. Individuals living in this service area are 57. 3% Latino, 27. 7% African American, 11. 8% Caucasian, 1. 6% Asian and Pacific Islander, and 0. 4% Alaska Native/American Indian (DCFS, 2011 b).
Program Objectives By the end of the first year, 50% of the participants served by the program will have attended 4 employment workshops as evidenced by a certificate of completion. By the end of the first year, 50% of the participants served by the program will have attended 18 support group sessions as evidenced by a certificate of completion. By the end of the first year, 50% of the participants served by the program will have attended 3 presentations from former parents involved with DCFS as evidenced by a certificate of completion. By the end of the first year, 40% of the participants served by the program will have obtained stable income as evidenced by receipt of income from employment, public assistance programs, or school work -study programs. By the end of the first year, 40% of the participants served by the program will have obtained stable housing as evidenced by living on their own, with family, or with friends. Program Evaluation Will be performed at end of first year by participant satisfaction interviews, qualitative data collection through DCFS database such as demographics and recurrence of child neglect or re-entry into the child welfare system.
Lessons Learned Funding source identification. Program design. Budgeting. Grant Writing. Implications for Social Workers need to know how to write grants to develop new programs and/or improve current programs for families experiencing neglect or any other issues. Social Workers need to advocate for more funding for existing programs as the majority of social work programs rely on external funding in order to provide services to different populations and communities.
1. Berry, M. , Charlston, R. , Dawson, K. (2003). Promising practices in understanding and treating child neglect. Child and Family Social Work, 8, 13 -24. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. 2. Busch, M. , Wall, J. R. , Koch, S. M. , & Anderson, C. , (2008). Addressing the disproportionate representation of children of color: A collaborative community approach. Child Welfare League of America, 87(2), 255 -278. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. 3. Carter, V. , & Myers, M. R. (2006). Exploring the risks of substantiated physical neglect related to poverty and parental characteristics: A national sample. Children and Youth Services Review, 29, 110 -121. doi: 10. 1016/j. childyouth. 2006. 08. 002. 4. Department of Children and Family Services, County of Los Angeles (2011). Factsheet Child Welfare Services-July 2011. Retrived from http: //www. lacdcfs. org/aboutus/dcfsglossary/pagenhtm). 5. Ethier, L. S. , Couture, G. , & Lasharite, C. (2004). Risk factors associated with the chronocity of high potential for child abuse and neglect. Journal of Family Violence, 19(1), 13 -24. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. 6. Marcenko, M. O. , Lyons, S. J. , & Courtney. (2011). Mothers experiences, resources and needs: The context for reunification. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 431 -438. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. 7. Palusci, V. J. (2011). Risk factors and services for child maltreatment among infants and young children. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 1374 -1382. doi: 10. 1016/j. childyouth. 2011. 04. 025. 8. Sykes, J. (2011). Negotiating stigma: Understanding mothers’ responses to accusations of child neglect. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 448 -456. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. 9. Tyler, S. , Allison, K. , & Winsler, A. (2006). Child neglect: developmental consequences, intervention, and policy implications. Child & Youth Care Forum, 35(1), 1 -20. doi: 10. 1007/s 10566 -005 -9000 -9. 10. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau. (2010). Chld Maltreatment 2009. Retrieved from http: //www. acf. hhs. gov/programs/cb/statsresearch/index. htm#can.
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