Archive
Cross-Reporting Among Responders to Child Abuse and Neglect
Cross-Reporting Among Responders to Child Abuse and Neglect
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
This factsheet discusses State laws that authorize cross-reporting and information sharing among the agencies that must respond to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. Typically, reports are shared among social services agencies, law enforcement departments, and prosecutors’ offices. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Making and Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect
Making and Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
This factsheet discusses State laws and regulations that specify the procedures that State child protection agencies must follow when responding to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. The issues addressed include individual responsibility to report, content of reports, screening reports, investigation procedures, time frames for completing investigations, and classification of investigative findings. Special procedures for handling child fatalities and drug-exposed children also are addressed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Determining the Best Interests of the Child
Determining the Best Interests of the Child
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
This factsheet discusses State laws that present the factors that courts need to consider when making decisions about a child’s appropriate custody and care. Factors to be considered include parental capacity to provide adequate care, sibling and other family relationships, and the child’s wishes. The factsheet also addresses the definition of best interests and guiding principles of best interest determinations. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Immigration and Child Welfare
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Includes selected national organizations that provide information and resources on immigration issues related to children and families.
Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities 2011: Statistics and Interventions
Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities 2011: Statistics and Interventions
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Using data from Child Maltreatment 2011, this summary presents statistics and information on child fatalities due to abuse and neglect in the United States during Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2011. It includes national and State-by-State data, as well as additional research and information on prevention and interventions.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy With At-Risk Families
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy With At-Risk Families
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
This issue brief is intended to build a better understanding of the characteristics and benefits of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), a family-centered treatment approach proven effective for abused and at-risk children ages 2 to 8 and their caregivers, birth parents, adoptive parents, or foster or kin caregivers. It was written primarily to help child welfare caseworkers and other professionals who work with at-risk families make more informed decisions about when to refer parents and caregivers, along with their children, to PCIT programs. This information may also help parents, foster parents, and other caregivers understand what they and their children can gain from PCIT and what to expect during treatment.
Access to Adoption Records
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
This factsheet discusses laws that provide for access to both nonidentifying and identifying information from an adoption record by adoptive parents and adult adopted persons. Generally, the person whose information will be disclosed must consent to the disclosure; methods of providing consent are discussed. Access to the original birth certificate by the adult adopted person also is addressed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Annual Report to Congress on State Child Welfare Expenditures reported on the CFS-101
Annual Report to Congress on State Child Welfare Expenditures reported on the CFS-101
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
This report to Congress provides national totals of planned spending by service category for the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services program and planned and actual spending by service category for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program.
Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect
Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
This factsheet discusses laws that require members of the clergy to report cases of suspected child abuse and neglect. The issue of whether a member of the clergy can claim privileged communications as a reason for not reporting also is discussed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Online Resources for State Child Welfare Law and Policy
Online Resources for State Child Welfare Law and Policy
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
This publication provides web addresses for State statutes that are accessible online and lists the parts of the code for each State and territory that contains the laws addressing child protection, adoption, child welfare, legal guardianship, and services for youth. It also provides web addresses for States’ regulation and policy sites, State court rules, Tribal codes, and judicial resources. Information for each State and territory can be accessed on the State Statutes Search page.
Providing Postadoption Services
Providing Postadoption Services
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
This bulletin summarizes key issues related to providing effective postadoption services by drawing from available literature and practice knowledge. Quality postadoption services are important because of the effects that separation, loss, and trauma can have on adopted children and youth, adoptive families, and birth families. The bulletin discusses several types of postadoption services that are available to each of these groups, describes how each type could be of benefit, and explores the characteristics critical to the success of the services. It also includes an explanation of key steps in the development and implementation of a postadoption program that can help strengthen the development process and overcome barriers to service use.
Finding and Using Postadoption Services
Finding and Using Postadoption Services
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Adoptive families often need support and services after adoption to help them deal with a wide range of issues. This factsheet describes some of the postadoption issues that may arise and how the needs of adopted children and youth change according to their age and developmental stage. Information is provided on the different types of postadoption services available and on how and where families can obtain services. The factsheet also explains what parents can do if quality postadoption services are not readily available to them and includes a list of additional resources.
Parental Drug Use as Child Abuse
Parental Drug Use as Child Abuse
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
This factsheet discusses laws that address the issue of substance abuse by parents. Two areas of concern are the harm caused by prenatal drug exposure to the health and development of affected infants and the harm caused to children of any age by exposure to illegal drug activity in their homes or environment. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Selecting and Working With a Therapist Skilled in Adoption
Selecting and Working With a Therapist Skilled in Adoption
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Members of adoptive families may need professional help when concerns arise, and professionals skilled in adoption issues often can prevent concerns from becoming more serious problems. An appropriate therapist will understand that although the adoptive family is often not the source of the child’s problems, it is within the context of the family relationships that the child will begin to heal.
Adoption Disruption and Dissolution
Adoption Disruption and Dissolution
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
A small percentage of adoptions disrupt (end before finalization) or are dissolved (ended after finalization). This factsheet looks at the statistics for adoption disruption and dissolution, examines the associated factors, and reviews trends. Factors associated with the child, family, and agency are explored.
The Risk and Prevention of Maltreatment of Children with Disabilities
This bulletin for child welfare professionals describes child abuse and neglect of children with disabilities in terms of the scope of the problem, risk factors, and strategies for prevention. The background section looks at statistics and research and highlights what might be happening with families that come into the child welfare system. The second section offers tips to identify and assess abuse and neglect in children with disabilities, respond collaboratively, and locate training resources.
Immunity for Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect
This factsheet summarizes State laws on immunity from liability for persons who in good faith report suspected instances of child abuse or neglect. Immunity statutes protect both mandatory and voluntary reporters from civil or criminal liability that they might otherwise incur.
Adoption and Foster Care — Concurrent Planning: What the Evidence Shows
Concurrent planning is an approach that seeks to eliminate delays in attaining permanent families for children in the foster care system. Concurrent planning involves considering all reasonable options for permanency at the earliest possible point following a child’s entry into foster care and concurrently pursuing those options that will best serve the child’s needs. Typically the primary plan is reunification with the child’s family of origin. In concurrent planning, an alternative permanency goal (e.g., adoption) is pursued at the same time rather than being pursued sequentially after reunification has been ruled out.
Helping Your Foster Child Transition to Your Adopted Child
Helping Your Foster Child Transition to Your Adopted Child
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
This factsheet summarizes how foster/adoptive parents can help their child make the emotional adjustment to being an adopted child. Children and youth may not clearly comprehend the difference between being a foster child versus being an adopted child in the same family. This factsheet provides specific steps parents can take to help children understand these changes along with helpful resources.
See also: Foster Parents Considering Adoption
Home Study Requirements for Prospective Parents in Domestic Adoption
This factsheet summarizes State laws and policies for approving prospective adoptive homes. The process includes an assessment or home study of the prospective adoptive parent or parents, preparation of the prospective parents, gathering information about the family to better match the parent and child, and evaluating the fitness of the adoptive family.
