468 results
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2. Experiences of Teachers and Learners Who Are Left-Behind in Zimbabwe by Emigrating Parents: An Inclusive Education Perspective
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Mazvita Cecilia Tawodzera and Mahlapahlapana Themane
- Abstract
Since the year 2000, most parents have emigrated en masse due to a deepening socio-political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe, leaving their school-going children in the country. This paper assesses the experiences and challenges faced by these Left-Behind Learners (LBL), and ascertain the challenges faced by teachers in meeting the needs of these learners through inclusive education. The study followed a qualitative research approach with data collected at two high schools in Harare using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The results of the study indicate that LBL faced numerous challenges: excessive household chores, lack of help from guardians, inadequate representation at school meetings, and non-payment of school expenses. Teachers in the sample were not aware of the vulnerability of LBL, and were inadequately equipped to deal with this 'new' vulnerability. The study recommends the crafting of an inclusive education policy for the country so that new vulnerabilities are holistically dealt with, and that teachers be trained in inclusive education methodologies.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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3. Sierra Health Foundation's Positive Youth Justice Initiative. Briefing Paper
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Sierra Health Foundation
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In December 2011, the Sierra Health Foundation board of directors approved a framework for a new youth development initiative. The framework built upon the foundation's recently concluded REACH Youth Development Program and incorporated findings and recommendations from the highly regarded "Healthy Youth/Healthy Regions" and "Renewing Juvenile Justice" reports released by the foundation earlier in the year. The "Healthy Youth/Healthy Regions" and "Renewing Juvenile Justice" findings also supported an important lesson that emerged from the REACH Program: While inclusive youth development approaches are important, one of their shortcomings is the likelihood for young people most at risk for poor health, education and economic outcomes to be unengaged. In response to this information, the foundation pursued a course of inquiry that sought to combine on-the-ground experience and research to design a program for youth who have experienced documented neglect, abuse and/or trauma, have been formally involved in the child welfare system and who currently are engaged in the juvenile justice system. Often referred to as "crossover youth," the initiative seeks to affect developmental paths--repeat criminal behavior, education failure, lack of employment experience, untreated trauma, social and familial disconnection--that have been shown to have negative long-term effects for this extraordinarily vulnerable population. The initiative seeks to set a new path for juvenile justice in California by establishing a vanguard of select county systems and leaders to produce what noted researcher Jeffrey Butts and his colleagues describe as "Positive Youth Justice." In seeking to foster this major shift in juvenile justice practice and policy, the risk of falling short of expectations is balanced with the fortuitous opportunity to improve the health and life chances of one of California's most vulnerable youth populations--youth with child welfare histories who are currently engaged in the juvenile justice system. Accordingly, this briefing paper describes the policy context in which the Positive Youth Justice Initiative will operate and presents the rationale for the targeted population and selected design elements.
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- 2012
4. Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners. Briefing Paper
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SEDL, Texas Comprehensive Center
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Effectively meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse population of students presents challenges for educators across the United States, including the Texas and Southeast Comprehensive Center regions. Increasingly rigorous achievement expectations must be supported with flexible, accessible curricula, offering multiple pathways to success in order to secure opportunities for all children. Key points of this briefing paper include the following: (1) Multi-tier systems of support offer a research-based approach to addressing the myriad needs of youth struggling with school success; and (2) Application of the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can make curriculum and instruction both accessible and engaging for all learners, resulting in increased opportunities for learning success. The success of any public education reform effort will be tied, at least in part, to the ability to address appropriately the academic and social-behavior needs of diverse learners. By redefining the focus from one of "fixing students" to one of providing high-quality education that is responsive to individual needs (Riele, p. 141) the system will invariably improve experiences and outcomes for all students.
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- 2011
5. Choosing Advocacy. Occasional Paper Series 21
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Bank Street College of Education, Matt, Megan, Morrison, Danielle, Matt, Megan, Morrison, Danielle, and Bank Street College of Education
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Two articles comprise this publication. In "Beyond the Story-Book Ending: Literature for Young Children About Parental Estrangement and Loss," Megan Matt analyzes over 30 books for young children on the topics of abandonment, estrangement, divorce, and foster care. She observes that this loss might appear as an event within the story or as a fear articulated by a young child. She states that, as an educator, she hopes that she can make the children realize that their own stories are "real" and legitimate, no matter what messages they might encounter or fail to encounter in the media. In "Walking the Walk: Linking Teaching and Advocacy," Danielle Morrison recounts her experiences teaching a civil rights curriculum to third graders at a progressive private school in Manhattan. As a young teacher, she believed that she should be neutral and present information to her students, not interpret it. She found that when her school changed their civil rights curriculum from one centering around skin color to one that was more global and current, leading to a social action project and advocacy, the students became more engaged. She learned that it is her job as a teacher to inspire students to want to build a better world, that it is okay for her to express her opinions, share her experiences, and to model ways for her students to participate. She found that it takes a different kind of hard work, dedication, and time to teach children to care about advocacy. [Occasional Paper Series editor: Jonathan G. Silin.]
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- 2008
6. Young Children and HIV/AIDS: Mapping the Field. Working Papers in Early Childhood Development. Young Children and HIV/AIDS Sub-Series, No. 33
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Bernard Van Leer Foundation (Netherlands) and Sherr, Lorraine
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This paper explores some of the psychological and other issues associated with HIV infection in children. Although the majority of studies are in the West, a growing core of information is emerging from other centres. This paper attempts to summarise the complexity of who the children are, examine emerging orphan and vulnerability issues, explore HIV/AIDS treatment interventions and how they affect the emerging scenario in terms of child and parent infection, and then focus on the widespread psychological effects of HIV/AIDS on the young child. (Contains 4 tables.)
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- 2005
7. Cross Cultural Perspectives on Educators' Reporting Practices of Maltreatment: A Discussion Paper on the Situation in England.
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Baginsky, Mary
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In the United Kingdom, professionals are not legally required to report suspected cases of child abuse. The Children Act (1989) specified that local authorities have a duty to safeguard the welfare of children, but did not make reporting mandatory. It identified specific tasks for teachers in the process of reporting and established joint communication between schools and social service departments. The act moved schools and teachers to acknowledge the responsibility they have in child protection. Government guidelines recommended that schools appoint a staff member who would have responsibility for coordinating action within the school and form the liaison with other agencies. Major concerns voiced by teachers about these directives include: (1) the need for more communication with social service departments; (2) a lack of knowledge about procedures for new teachers; (3) differences of opinion between teachers and social workers about the child's experience of abuse; and (4) an increase in the number of cases for teachers to handle without an increase in supportive services. The paper suggests that for the process to be successful, teachers must feel confident in knowing what to look for in child abuse, social workers must respect the professional judgment of teachers, and structures must be in place to facilitate referrals. (Contains 28 references.) (JDM)
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- 2000
8. Research on Women and Girls in the Justice System: Plenary Papers of the Conference on Criminal Justice Research and Evaluation--Enhancing Policy and Practice through Research, Volume 3 (1999). Research Forum.
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Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention., Richie, Beth E., Tsenin, Kay, and Widom, Cathy Spatz
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This publication presents three papers from a 1999 conference on criminal justice research and evaluation. The papers reveal real-life implications of research for a situation of growing urgency. Research has uncovered a link between the victimization of women and their criminal behavior. The papers propose that justice system practice can be enhanced if policymakers and the practitioners who operationalize their decisions redefine justice to take this special condition into account. The first paper, "Exploring the Link between Violence against Women and Women's Involvement in Illegal Activity" (Beth E. Ritchie), discusses the extent of the problem (domestic violence, sexual assault, and patterns of violence); women involved in illegal activity; women in the criminal justice system; and public policy and programmatic recommendations. The second paper, "One Judicial Perspective on the Sex Trade" (Kay Tsenin), discusses judicial approaches, the sex worker (victim and survivor), courts and the communities they serve, interventions, and future needs. The third paper, "Childhood Victimization and the Derailment of Girls and Women to the Criminal Justice System" (Cathy Spatz Widom), discusses the role of childhood victimization in the development of criminal behavior, mechanisms in derailment, and the female criminal (opportunities for intervention). (SM)
- Published
- 2000
9. Examination of the Relationship between Childhood Trauma and Psychological Resilience in Preschool Teachers
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Ozaslan, Hatice, Gun, Rabia Seyma, and Akduman, Gulumser Gultekin
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Background/purpose: This paper investigated the relationship between childhood trauma and psychological resilience in preschool teachers. The study also determined whether psychological resilience depended on age. Materials/methods: The study adopted a correlational survey model. The sample consisted of 268 preschool teachers. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics questionnaire named the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-33), and the Adult Resilience Measure (ARM-R). Results: The study's results showed that higher CTQ-33 emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, and total CTQ-33 subscale scores have correspondingly lower ARM-R total and subscale scores. The results also showed that higher physical abuse, physical neglect, and overprotection-overcontrol subscale scores have correspondingly lower ARM-R relational resources, personal resources, and familial resources subscale and total ARM-R scores. There was no correlation found between the CTQ-33 physical abuse, physical neglect, and overprotection-overcontrol subscale scores and the ARM-R cultural and contextual resources subscale scores. The results showed that age did not affect the participants' ARM-R subscale or total scores. Conclusion: The study's results revealed a negative correlation between childhood trauma and psychological resilience. Age did not affect psychological resilience levels.
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- 2022
10. Adverse Childhood Experiences of Elementary School Students Exacerbated by COVID-19: A Conceptual Framework
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Williams, Tyreeka and Dowden, Angel
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Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 44% of elementary-aged students reported experiencing adverse childhood experiences, while 13% reported experiencing three or more (Blodgett & Lanigan, 2018). During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents faced many hardships such as economic and health disparities. This resulted in an influx of reported and presumably unreported adverse childhood experiences. The most reported experience included child neglect and psychological maltreatment (Sonu et al., 2021). While not seen as popular in the media and literature, the impact of psychological maltreatment is more severe than any other form of abuse (Hines, 2020). This paper will discuss the current conceptual findings, legal definitions, theoretical underpinnings, policy and practice implications as it relates to child neglect and psychological maltreatment of elementary-aged children.
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- 2022
11. Responding to Child Neglect in Schools: Factors Which Scaffold Safeguarding Practice for Staff in Mainstream Education in Wales
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Victoria Sharley
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Child neglect is a problem that presents many challenges to learning and teaching in schools. Children are unable to learn if their basic needs are not met. Neglect is the second most common reason for a child to be on a child protection plan in Wales. Given the universal nature of their provision within the community, and the prevalence of neglect, schools are well-placed to notice and intervene early and provide support to children that promotes their health and wellbeing. In fact, staff in schools have the opportunity to observe children's behaviours, and their interactions with other pupils and family members up to five days a week over an extended period of time. However, little is known about the specific ways in which staff in schools respond to neglect and what factors help them to provide effective school-based support to families. This paper presents findings from thirty interviews with staff in six mainstream primary and secondary schools in Wales. Findings identify three factors that support neglect-practice within the school-setting (1) a whole-school proactive approach to child neglect; (2) a positive learning and development environment for staff members; and (3) relationships between staff and the child(ren)'s family.
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- 2023
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12. Starting Smart: How Early Experiences Affect Brain Development. An Ounce of Prevention Fund Paper.
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Ounce of Prevention Fund.
- Abstract
Recent research has provided great insight into the impact of early experience on brain development. It is now believed that brain growth is highly dependent upon early experiences. Neurons allow communication and coordinated functioning among various brain areas. Brain development after birth consists of an ongoing process of wiring and rewiring the connections among neurons. The forming and breaking of neural connections depends directly on the child's experiences; only those connections and pathways frequently activated are retained. Children who have little opportunity to explore and experiment with their environment may fail to fully develop neural connections and pathways that facilitate later learning and thus may be at a permanent intellectual disadvantage. Further, exposure to trauma or chronic stress can make children more prone to emotional disturbances and less able to learn because they have overactive neural pathways that control the fear response, causing their brains to be organized primarily for survival. It is possible to influence disadvantaged children's development through early intervention programs as evidenced by the results of the Abecedarian Project. Communities can help families promote their children's brain development by: (1) educating them about the importance of early experience; (2) preventing abuse and neglect; (3) providing accessible quality mental health services; and (4) ensuring adequate early nutrition. Child care providers need training in devising appropriate environments, and parents need information on choosing quality child care. (Recommended readings are included. Contains 14 references.) (KDFB)
- Published
- 1996
13. The Relationship between Childhood Maltreatment and Adolescent Involvement in Delinquency. Working Paper No. 17.
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New York State Univ. System, Albany., Smith, Carolyn A., and Thornberry, Terence P.
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This study used data from the Rochester Youth Development Study to examine linkages between childhood maltreatment and later delinquency. Three central issues were addressed: (1) the magnitude of the relationship between early child maltreatment and later official and self-reported delinquency; (2) the possibility of spuriousness in this relationship; and (3) the impact of more extensive measurement of maltreatment on later delinquency. The final sample was comprised of 1,000 students attending seventh or eighth grade in 1988 and their primary caretakers, with males and students from high crime areas overrepresented. Data were collected through separate interviews with adolescents and caretakers. The child maltreatment measure was based on information from Child Protective Services records. Five indicators of maltreatment were used, prevalence and frequency of maltreatment, duration, number of types of maltreatment, and total severity score. Outcome measures included official measures of number of police contacts as a juvenile or arrests as an adult and self-report of delinquency from eighth through twelfth grades. Delinquency indices were general, serious, moderate, minor, and violent delinquency. Results revealed a significant relationship between child maltreatment occurring before age 12 and subsequent self-reported and official delinquency and the relationship, especially for more serious forms of delinquency, remained when controlling for other factors such as race/ethnicity, sex, underclass status, and family structure. The results also suggested that more extensive maltreatment is related to higher rates of delinquency. Appendices provide exemplars of levels of abuse severity and the delinquency scales. (Four tables delineate findings. Contains 65 references.) (AA)
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- 1995
14. National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System: Working Paper 2: 1991 Summary Data Component.
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American Humane Association, Englewood, CO. Children's Div.
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This document was prepared from information provided by state child protective services agencies on the 1991 Summary Data Component Form of the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS). The report is a working document that provides a basis for developing and refining the approach to collecting national information on child maltreatment. A background section describes the historical background of the design and development of the NCANDS, including the legislative basis for initiating the design. The next section discusses some of the issues, problems, and major findings that emerged in the implementation of the national data collection exercises. Tables then report aggregate data reported by states on: number of reports, numbers of children subject of a report, number of reports by source, number of investigations by disposition, number of children by disposition, number of victims by maltreatment type, age of victims, sex of victims, race/ethnicity of victims, victims removed from home, court action initiated, receiving additional services, number of children who died from abuse or neglect, and relationship of perpetrator to victim. Data from each table are then analyzed and findings are discussed. State explanations of the data in the national data tables are provided. A glossary contains working definitions of the NCANDS data elements. Appendixes list persons involved in the project, provide copies of forms and instructions, and present revised 1990 tables reflecting state updates. (JDD)
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- 1993
15. Current Trends in Child Abuse Reporting and Fatalities: The Results of the 1990 Annual Fifty State Survey. Working Paper Number 808.
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National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse, Chicago, IL., Daro, Deborah, and McCurdy, Karen
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This report details results of an early 1991 national survey of federal liaisons for state child abuse and neglect programs. Nationwide, child abuse reports increased 31% between 1985 and 1990. An estimated 39 out of every 1,000 U.S. children were reported as victims of child maltreatment, an average 4% increase over the previous year which is a slower growth rate than reported in the first half of the previous decade. A table presents reports by state for each of the past 5 years. The state showing the greatest decline in reports (Virginia) reported this might be due to elimination of duplicate reports as a result of a new computer system. Notable increases in reports were usually attributed to both a real increase in the incidence of maltreatment (often attributed to increased substance abuse) and more accurate reporting. Substantiation rates were not standardized across states. Only 26 states could provide an estimate as to the percentage of substantiated cases which received services (a mean of 78%). Data on type of maltreatment is summarized for 22 states. Also reported are child maltreatment fatalities by state (a national total of 1,211 during 1990). Briefly discussed are effects of increased substance abuse, child welfare services, and policy implications. Footnotes are included. (DB)
- Published
- 1991
16. Current Trends in Child Abuse Reporting and Fatalities: The Results of the 1989 Annual Fifty State Survey. Working Paper Number 808.
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National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse, Chicago, IL., Daro, Deborah, and Mitchel, Leslie
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Continuing the practice of conducting an annual national survey to monitor trends in the number and characteristics of child abuse reports nationwide and in the funding and scope of child welfare services, this report summarizes results of the January, 1990 survey. Specific information of interest was: (1) the actual number of reports filed during 1987, 1988, and 1989; (2) the perecentage of these reports involving physical abuse, child neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional maltreatment; (3) state procedures or policies for screening reports and the impact of such screening on caseload size and characteristics; (4) the percentage of reported families presenting substance abuse problems; (5) the number of child abuse fatalities reported for 1987, 1988, and 1989; (6) the existing barriers to effective implementation of child protective services; and (7) funding levels for child welfare services in general. Representatives of all 50 states and the District of Columbia were contacted by telephone to obtain the above data. Of those interviewed, 49 respondents knew or were able to project their child abuse reporting statistics for 1989 and 41 states had 1989 statistics with respect to child abuse fatalities. All state representatives responded to general questions on their state's reporting procedures and child welfare practices. Specific findings are presented and prevention efforts are briefly discussed. (RH)
- Published
- 1990
17. What Can We Count On To Make and Keep People Safe? Perspectives on Creating Effective Safeguards for People with Developmental Disabilities. [Selections from Background Papers and Discussions with Participants in the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Planning Council Annual Retreat.]
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Syracuse Univ., NY. Center on Human Policy., Responsive Systems Associates, Lithonia, GA., and O'Brien, John
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This monograph presents excerpts from discussions with participants in the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Planning Council 1990 retreat, which focused on the creation of effective safeguards for people with developmental disabilities. The discussions note: the increased vulnerability of such people to neglect, abuse, and mistreatment; the shortcomings of unregulated relationships between people with disabilities and their caretakers; and the limitations of systematic efforts to keep people safe through professional, bureaucratic methods. David B. Schwartz in "Quality Assurance in the Asylum" looks at historical aspects of this question. The discussion first focuses on identifying what makes people vulnerable (e.g., lack of power, isolation, lack of alternatives, poverty). Next the contrasting approaches of administrative regulation and related legal advocacy versus lifesharing and other personal commitments are analyzed in terms of their contributions, limits, costs, and effectiveness. Covered next are strategies for increasing safety (such as supporting the contribution of families and friends) and options for actions that make families more powerful, reduce isolation, demonstrate effectiveness, yet minimize the costs of regulation. (DB)
- Published
- 1990
18. Characteristics and Predictors for Students Classified with Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Who Have Also Experienced Maltreatment
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Mattison, Richard E., Benner, Gregory J., and Kumm, Skip
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Though experiencing maltreatment (abuse or neglect) appears to be common in students with the special education label of emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), little research has been devoted to this topic by EBD educators. This paper uses archived file drawer data from 1992 that focuses on 149 students newly classified with EBD for whom a wide range of enrollment variables was collected, and who were subsequently followed up on an average of 8 years later to assess their educational outcomes. At enrollment, experiences of maltreatment were determined to have occurred in 57.7% of these participants. The group who experienced maltreatment was predicted at enrollment only by the family stress of having at least one natural parent with a history of psychiatric illness, although the concordance was not strong (52.3%). When the children who experienced maltreatment were next divided into two longitudinal groups according to educational outcomes (52.3% successful), the enrollment variables of the presence of anxiety and/or depressive disorder and younger age predicted the successful outcome group with good concordance (76.0%). Professional and programmatic implications for educators of students identified with EBD who have also experienced maltreatment are discussed, along with practical recommendations for serving this population.
- Published
- 2021
19. Education-Welfare for Immigrant Children: How Schools Are Involved in the Daily Lives of Immigrants
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Homma, Tori
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The purpose of this study is to analyze how immigrant children in Japan are included in the phenomenon of "gakko kino no fukushika" (Kuraishi 2014: 56)--henceforth "welfare-oriented schools"--by using the analytical framework of education-welfare. Fieldwork took place in an elementary school Japanese language class, along with interviews with immigrant mothers, a Japanese language teacher and a Filipino language supporter. The paper focused on three aspects of Filipino immigrants' lives: child neglect, dietary habits, and truancy. As regards education-welfare, this study has illustrated both the possibilities and limitations of teachers taking the "care" roles for immigrant children. Although previous literature has drawn a distinctive line between education and welfare specialists, in this study, the boundary was ambiguous as the Japanese language teacher considered herself a "social worker." On the other hand, one of the limitations was that the teachers' dominant ideology of a "good" way of living excluded the logic of the immigrants.
- Published
- 2021
20. Considerations for Conducting Legal and Ethical ACEs Screening in Schools
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Amirazizi, Samira, Dowdy, Erin, Sharkey, Jill, and Barnett, Miya
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Childhood exposure to adversity and its consequences is a significant public health challenge. Schools are beginning to understand the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and some schools are considering screening for ACEs. However, dissemination of the ACEs screener and subsequent interventions may lead to challenges and iatrogenic outcomes for students if caution is not taken. This paper examines key considerations, including ethical and legal guidelines, surrounding screening for ACEs within the school system. Through conceptual analysis, the National Association of School Psychologists Principles for Professional Ethics are examined in conjunction with educational law regarding ACEs screening. Additionally, key considerations and limitations such as whether the screener captures trauma rather than adversity, the use of parents as informants, racial inequities, and potential stigma of conducting ACEs screening in schools are addressed through the integration of ACEs scholarship. Recommendations and alternative solutions for school districts seeking to address ACEs within their student population are provided in support of trauma-sensitive schools.
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- 2023
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21. Response to the Hughes et al. Paper on Differential Response
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Baird, Christopher, Park, Katherine, and Lohrbach, Suzanne
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Ronald Hughes, Judith Rycus, and their colleagues have produced a seminal review of differential response (DR) programs implemented across the nation. Their review questions nearly every aspect of the DR movement, beginning with the concept on which all DR programs are based and ending with serious concerns about the quality of evaluations conducted to date. Given current support for DR initiatives and wide variation of existing DR models, not all in the social sciences will agree with their conclusions. Nevertheless, this review represents the type of analysis critical to advancing practice in the field. Although many issues are raised in the Hughes et al. review, our response focuses on four critical points, which we believe represent the core problems identified. These include the concept that serves as the foundation for the DR movement, the role of assessments, and the primary problems with evaluations conducted to date.
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- 2013
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22. The Science of Neglect: The Persistent Absence of Responsive Care Disrupts the Developing Brain. Working Paper 12
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National Scientific Council on the Developing Child
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Young children who experience severe deprivation or neglect can experience a range of negative consequences. Neglect can delay brain development, impair executive function skills, and disrupt the body's stress response. This working paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child explains why neglect is so harmful in the earliest years of life, and why effective interventions can improve long-term outcomes in learning, health, and the parenting of the next generation.
- Published
- 2012
23. Decision Making by Health and Social Care Professionals to Protect an Unborn Baby: Systematic Narrative Review
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Mc Elhinney, Helena, Taylor, Brian J., and Sinclair, Marlene
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Protecting an unborn baby from abuse and neglect presents particular challenges for professionals due to the uncertainties about appraising future harm and functioning of family relationships. This systematic narrative review synthesises studies of professional decision making by health and social care professionals regarding child protection of an unborn baby. Five bibliographic databases (ASSIA, CINAHL Plus, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Social Care Online) were searched using an explicit and robust search; papers identified as relevant were appraised for quality and combined using a narrative synthesis based on the main themes in the papers. Ten papers met the inclusion criteria, including qualitative studies, surveys and randomised trials of the effectiveness of decision support tools. The papers identified the following case risk factors relating to risks to an unborn baby: alcohol abuse; ante-natal care; previous children in care; domestic violence; drug abuse; lack of education; employment issues; unrealistic expectations of the baby; housing issues; learning disability; feelings about pregnancy; low socio-economic status; mental illness; mother's childhood experiences; lack of parenting capacity; physical disability. There were several papers on developing risk assessment tools. A few papers focused on risk assessment and decision processes including engagement with pregnant women. There was some discussion of psychosocial supports for risks in pregnancy. There is useful published material on the range of risk factors, and more limited material on the development of assessment tools and on decision processes. The psychosocial supports that might be provided to the pregnant woman as decision options is an area for future research.
- Published
- 2021
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24. We Cannot Walk Away: DEC's Position of Child Abuse, Neglect, and Trauma
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Corr, Catherine
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This article details two important reasons why supporting young children with disabilities who have experienced abuse and neglect and their families is the responsibility and obligation of the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC): (1) Although prevalent in their work, this population is overlooked; and (2) Somebody needs to do something. DEC has the unique responsibility, obligation, and opportunity to take the lead regarding encouraging research, policy, and practice related to supporting young children with disabilities who have experienced abuse and neglect. In September 2015, DEC formed a development team to begin working on a position statement focused on young children with disabilities who have experienced abuse, neglect, and trauma. The development team is comprised of individuals in the DEC community who expressed an interest in supporting young children with disabilities who have experienced abuse and neglect and their families (see Table 1, development team members). The position statement will be highlighted and distributed at the DEC 2016 conference in Louisville, Kentucky. While the DEC community currently does not have the solutions to child abuse, neglect, and trauma, this position statement takes a step forward in the problem solving process.
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- 2016
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25. National Position Paper on Child Abuse and Neglect in the Latino Community.
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Martinez, Tomas and Zapata, Geraldine
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Representing the accumulated expertise of the Spanish Speaking/Surnamed (SS/S) multi-disciplined service provider network, this position paper is designed to focus national, state, and local attention to the Latino/Chicano child abuse and neglect (ca/n) problems and on the bilingual/bicultural resources needed to improve the degree and type of response to ca/n within the Latino community. A brief overview of the state of the art of the ca/n field and the SS/S population discusses child abuse systems and their problems, dynamics of child abuse in the Latino community, family dynamics/family stress, role of the court and protective services, alternative models/bilingual-bicultural resources, demographic profile of the Latino population regarding child abuse risk, and multiple high risk factors faced by SS/S people (e.g., health, emotional, intellectual, and cultural hazards). Among 25 specific recommendations on how ca/n systems can become more responsive to SS/S people are: that a network of bilingual/bicultural referral services be established, advocated for, and sponsored by the state and county ca/n service network and that alternative responses be considered, e.g., bilingual/bicultural manpower resources, family oriented crisis intervention services, and parents as resources. Resolutions presented by the National Chicano/Latino Caucus and the California Latino Federation of Child Abuse and Neglect Councils at the conference are appended. (NQA)
- Published
- 1979
26. Signs of Safety: The View from Early Help
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Roy, Jessica
- Abstract
Signs of Safety is a strengths-based approach to work with children and families where there are concerns about abuse or neglect. Signs of Safety is widely used in the UK and internationally, and there is a growing range of empirical research exploring its use within statutory children's social work. However, there is little research exploring how, and to what effect, Signs of Safety is being used by other childcare professionals. This paper reports on an independent evaluation of the use of Signs of Safety by an early help agency in the South West of England. At time of evaluation, the agency was commissioned by the local authority to support children and families with multiple and complex needs who did not meet the threshold for statutory children's social care involvement. The study was multiple methods with two strands. To better understand the work that the agency did, data were collected from case files, to develop a profile of families engaging with the agency. Interviews were undertaken with five practitioners about their experiences of using Signs of Safety. Saliency analysis was used to explore the qualitative data. Overall practitioners felt that Signs of Safety was accessible, supported clear communication with children and families and aided critical reflection. However, existing tensions--relating to statutory threshold decisions and multi-agency relationships--were reflected and magnified via the Signs of Safety tools. The implications of these findings are discussed, providing original insights about an issue highly relevant to national and international audiences.
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- 2022
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27. Crimes against Children: C. Physical Neglect. Discussion Paper 86-1C.
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Wisconsin State Legislative Council, Madison. and Salm, Don
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This document is one of six discussion papers prepared for the Wisconsin Legislative Council's Special Committee on Crimes Against Children. The introduction explains the committee's task of conducting a thorough examination of state laws relating to crimes against children, reviewing major policy issues affecting those laws to determine whether substantive changes are needed in various statutory provisions and reorganizing the laws. This paper deals with the problem of physical neglect of children. Part I covers the laws relating to failure to support, part II deals with the prohibition against abandonment of a young child, and part III discusses the prohibition against abuse of children in facilities. For each of these issues, there is a section explaining current law and a section giving suggestions for statutory revisions. Copies of the statutes covered in the report, arranged in numerical order, and a copy of ss. 939.50 to 939.52, which prescribe the basic criminal penalty classification system used in the Criminal Code are appended. (NB)
- Published
- 1986
28. Best Interests and Family Preservation in America. Discussion Paper.
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Chicago Univ., IL. Chapin Hall Center for Children. and Schuerman, John R.
- Abstract
There has been widespread acceptance of the principles of family preservation as congruent with the best interests of children in situations of abuse and neglect. This paper discusses the "best interest" ideas articulated by Joseph Goldstein, Anna Freud, and Albert Solnit in the books "Before the Best Interests of the Child" and "Beyond the Best Interests of the Child." The paper compares those ideas with the principles underlying child welfare decision-making. These principles are: reasonable efforts, permanency planning, and the least restrictive alternative. The paper addresses some of the problems in the implementation of these principles, particularly as manifested in the family preservation ideal. The backlash against family preservation is considered, and some considerations for the reform of the child welfare system are suggested. (JPB)
- Published
- 1997
29. Intensive Services to Families At-Risk Project. Working Papers in Developmental Disabilities.
- Author
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Nebraska Univ. Medical Center, Omaha. Meyer Children's Rehabilitation Inst., Nebraska State Dept. of Public Welfare, Lincoln., and Rosenberg, Steven A.
- Abstract
ISFAR (Intensive Services to Families at Risk Project), a program designed to prevent foster care among children at risk for placement because of documented or suspected abuse or neglect, is described, and its effectiveness evaluated. ISFAR's staffing patterns, guiding philosophy of helping parents become more adequate in their interaction with their children, and positive organizational climate are discussed. Program operations are viewed in terms of intake and screening procedures, case assessment, parent's commitment, use of consensus as a decisionmaking tool, problem identification, case planning, individualized client services (including parenting education, home visits involving close friends and extended family, and group activities), case monitoring and evaluation, and followup. Project evaluation findings focus on system impact, client perceptions of services, and measures of individual and family functioning. Comparison with the county protective services revealed that ISFAR cases had lower rates of recidivism and resulted in fewer days in foster care. ISFAR cases were found to be more expensive, at least in short-term consideration. Process analysis underline the importance of support in casework decisionmaking. Characteristics of clients and of the services leading to successful outcomes are analyzed. More than half of the document is composed of appendixes: the actual project evaluation report, ISFAR entry criteria, a copy of a family interview instrument, a description of treatment groups, guidelines for staffing and restaffing, and descriptions of dissemination activities. (CL)
- Published
- 1982
30. Timeliness and Delay in the Cook County Juvenile Court Child Protection Division. Discussion Paper CS-45.
- Author
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Chicago Univ., IL. Chapin Hall Center for Children., Merry, Sheila M., Peters, Clark M., Goerge, Robert M., Osuch, Ruth, Minor, Maria, and Budde, Stephen
- Abstract
This study suggests that court procedures in Illinois must improve to assure that more children are placed in permanent homes in a timely way. The University of Chicago's Chapin Hall Center for Children examined the timeliness of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois' Child Protection Division in completing the sequence of hearings and adjudications necessary to achieve permanence (either through permanent placement or family reunification) for children who are abused or neglected. The analysis also identified practices and procedures that appear to influence the Court's ability to achieve timely permanence for children. The analysis found that although the Court is not, overall, in compliance with statutory timeliness guidelines, substantial progress has been made in improving compliance over the last few years and the improvement seems to be continuing. The analysis further found that the Court was not effective in moving toward permanent homes for children in a timely fashion once they have been placed in custody of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Meeting statutory guidelines for timeliness was negatively associated with achieving a timely permanent placement. This negative association may be due to the small number of adoptions completed and the Court's tendency to delay cases where there is a perception that a return home is at all possible. (This document is relevant to the field of education in that permanent placement and family reunification are two strategies that can contribute to children's readiness to learn by increasing stability in their lives.) (JPB)
- Published
- 1997
31. International Perspectives for Research on Child Abuse and Neglect
- Author
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Moradi Sheykhjan, Tohid
- Abstract
The purpose of this article is to find out the significance of international perspectives for research on child abuse and neglect. Child abuse is not a new phenomenon. Increased international communication and exposure has brought awareness in many that child abuse is a phenomenon intrinsic to all human society since the beginning of time. Abuse of children and adolescents is a complex international problem that seems to defy simple analysis and easy answers. We need to raise the public's awareness of the devastating effects of child abuse. Survivors of child abuse and neglect may be at greater risk for problems later in life such as low academic achievement, drug use, teen pregnancy, and criminal behavior that affect not just the child and family, but society as a whole. This includes the worst forms imaginable of child labor, involvement in armed conflict, exposure to female genital mutilation, child marriage, being sold into slavery, or being solicited over the internet. Whereas individual studies often use different definitions of the term, the results cannot be compared with each other and there is no universal standard exists for optimal child care or for child abuse. Most international communities have tended to focus only upon societal, or extra familial, abuses to children. In many others, the focus has been on issues relating to child labor, beggary, prostitution and marriage. In some more developed countries, attention has turned toward more intra-familial abuses and issues. Moreover, many abused and neglected children never come to the attention of government authorities or individuals who can make efforts to protect a particular child. It is clear that a significant number of children will remain at high risk for experiencing violence and other negative outcomes. Given all of this information, it is hoped that national and international partnerships will continue to make efforts to improve service availability and quality to children across the world.
- Published
- 2015
32. Causes and Effects of Begging Style Involving Children as Guides in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania: Liability in Basic Education Access
- Author
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Seni, Abdallah Jacob
- Abstract
This paper explores the causes and effects of a unique begging style involving children as guides in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania. The rationale for Dodoma Municipality to be the study location is that the begging phenomenon using children as guides is rampant. The study sample involved 40 respondents, of whom 6 were young carers of visually impaired adult beggars, 6 visually impaired adult beggars, 6 young carers of visually impaired adult beggars' family members and 22 influential community members. Purposeful sampling technique was used to obtain these respondents. Data collection methods entailed interviews and observations. Artifacts were also used to portray issues under investigation more vividly. The data were analyzed using content analysis in which themes and sub-themes were determined by organization, reduction and interpretation of the information collected. The study discovered that lack of education, sympathy attraction, lack of proper orientation, laziness and poverty were the major causes for the existence of begging involving children as guides. The study revealed that minor causes include parents' negligence and alcoholism, Single Parenthood as well as drought and hunger. The begging style using children as guides resulted into notable limited basic education access among these vulnerable children hence a liability and not asset. The study recommends that young carers of visually impaired adult beggars should be enrolled to basic education and revitalize education for self-reliance.
- Published
- 2017
33. From Being the Most Vulnerable Children to Becoming Conventional Members of Society: Four Cases from Manchester Certified Industrial Schools, c. 1880-1920
- Author
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Santoki, Makiko
- Abstract
This paper analyses the factors central to the practices and realities of historical educational support for destitute and neglected children in the Manchester Certified Industrial Schools (MCIS) to determine how the schools acted to support the lives of children who were removed from parental guardianship. In nineteenth-century England, the most vulnerable children, destitute and often neglected (specifically, those considered to have improper guardianship), posed a serious challenge to public order in urban society. This study employs primary records to trace the experiences of four children during and after MCIS enrolment. Prior to the current study, none of these records had been used in research. The analysis of records demonstrates that MCIS officers supported and followed up students even after they were discharged to help them survive without their parents and become conventional members of society.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Adjustment of Children Reared by Their Grandparents.
- Author
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Jones, Michael R.
- Abstract
This paper explores the factors involved in the adjustment of children who must live with grandparents. Some studies indicate these children may be at higher risk for the development of psychopathology and pre-delinquent behavior. In contrast, other studies seem to indicate the love and care of supportive grandparents can lessen the impact of a previously discordant family. The paper summarizes three themes from the literature concerning grandparents: (1) When children with absent parents live with their grandparents, they are much more vulnerable to emotional and behavioral problems; (2) high quality parent-child relationships reduce the impact of stress on children; and (3) the grandparent-grandchild relationship may provide a significant nurturing and buffering environment for children living with them. Recent studies explored the adjustment of grandchildren being raised by grandparents and found two important factors: (1) the quality of the relationship; and (2) the income level. Two studies performed imply that children can achieve a relatively problem free adjustment when living with caring grandparents. The paper cautions that these results should not be generalized since the sample population was quite small and not randomly selected, and the quality of relationship scores were skewed. Contains 29 references. (KM)
- Published
- 1993
35. Abuse Causes Disability. A Report from Spectrum Institute. First in a Series.
- Author
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SPECTRUM Inst., Culver City, CA. and Baladerian, Nora J.
- Abstract
This paper, first in a series of special reports concerning disability and the family, presents a review of the relationship between abuse and disabilities, arguing that roughly 25 percent of all disabilities are caused by child or spousal abuse. A national survey revealed that 12 states have legislation addressing these issues, and the paper includes excerpts, with comments from the relevant statutes of each of these states. The states are: Alaska, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming; a 13th state, California, has pending legislation. Recommended components of model legislation are identified. The paper also provides a synopsis of a literature search investigating incidence, prevalence and extent of disability caused by abuse and neglect. An analysis of associated fiscal costs is provided suggesting the cost effectiveness of greater prevention efforts. Finally, observations are made regarding the need for a national program to confront this problem. (Contains 60 references.) (PB)
- Published
- 1993
36. Child Maltreatment: Effects on Development and Learning.
- Author
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Lowenthal, Barbara
- Abstract
The number of young children who have suffered from maltreatment has risen in recent years. This paper describes the negative neurological, psychological, and cognitive effects from this maltreatment. Interventions that can prevent abuse and neglect and promote resilience in the child victims are examined and discussed. The paper concludes by calling for concerned citizens to advocate for preventive efforts that promote resilience in child victims. (Contains 27 references.) (Author/HTH)
- Published
- 2000
37. Factors Influencing Early Childhood Education and Care Educators' Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
- Author
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Ayling, Natasha J., Walsh, Kerryann, and Williams, Kate E.
- Abstract
Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect is a complex yet essential responsibility tasked to many professional groups working with children, including the early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce. This paper provides a narrative review synthesising the empirical literature on factors influencing ECEC educators' reporting of child abuse and neglect, including knowledge and training, attitudes, thresholds for reporting, work experience and context, inter-organisational co-operation and self-efficacy. These factors can act as barriers and facilitators to effective reporting practice and are likely to interact in dynamic yet modifiable ways. Findings from the review may be useful for informing future education and training initiatives for the ECEC workforce. Further research is warranted in this area.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Social Services Cooperating with Schools to Enable Community: The Case of Two Territories of Southern Italy
- Author
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Ius, Marco
- Abstract
The Program of Intervention for Prevention of Institutionalization (P.I.P.P.I.) is a programme that integrates research, training, and intervention in working with families living in vulnerable situations. It is funded by the Italian Ministry of Welfare and, since 2011, has cumulatively involved roughly 8000 professionals from Social and Health Services and Schools, as well as 4000 children and their families in more than 200 territories across Italy. P.I.P.P.I. focuses on supporting children and families through multi-professional, holistic, and resilience-based interventions, in order to reduce child neglect. Bronfenbrenner's ecology of human development and its definition of neglect are the rationale for the programme, and discussing the theories on community and community capacity linked with resilience theory, this paper reflects on enabling community as an approach to alleviating social disadvantage and promoting child, family, and community wellbeing and resilience. The cases of two territories in Southern Italy will be presented and reviewed in order to illustrate how the service-school-family relationship was promoted within a resilience community approach. Using information from meetings, focus-groups with professionals, and document reviews, programme implementation will be presented and discussed to explore how the governance of social services and school-based service providers make decisions and organize activities to facilitate participation by children, parents, teachers, and social professionals, enabling more community development. Implications for practice, policy and research are highlighted.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Locating Child Protection in Preservice Teacher Education
- Author
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Walsh, Kerryann, Laskey, Louise, McInnes, Elspeth, Farrell, Ann, Mathews, Ben, and Briggs, Freda
- Abstract
A recent report delivered by the Australian Centerer for Child Protection has highlighted the need for empirical evidence of effective pedagogies for supporting teaching and learning of child protection content in Australian teacher education programs (Arnold & Mai-Taddeo, 2007). This paper advances this call by presenting case study accounts of different approaches to teaching child protection content in University-based teacher education programs across three Australian States. These different cases provide a basis for understanding existing strategies as an important precursor to improving practice. Although preschool, primary and secondary schools have been involved in efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect since the 1970s, teacher education programs, including preservice and in service programs, have been slow to align their work with child protection agendas. This paper opens a long-overdue discussion about the extent and nature of child protection content in teacher education and proposes strategies for translating research into practice. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.)
- Published
- 2011
40. Legal Perspectives on Services To Address Child Abuse and Neglect.
- Author
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Lloyd, David W.
- Abstract
The first and central issue in children's services is the extent to which government may limit or supplant parental action in the control, nurture, and direction of children. Three major governmental approaches include prohibiting behavior; prescribing behavior; and taking direct protective action. There are two legal issues related to prevention of child maltreatment. First, government may use its power to spend to promote pro-social attitudes and values through public awareness campaigns for prevention. However, government may not ban anti-social attitudes and violence from the content of the media. Second, there is the issue of neonatal home visitation for prevention of maltreatment. Although it has been promoted this method raises significant issues of due process. Risk assessment for child protection is in a very rudimentary state. Much of the child welfare class action litigation has focused on the failure of the public child welfare agencies to use "reasonable efforts" to reunify families whose children are in foster care, or to terminate parental rights in a timely manner so that the child may be adopted. Poor families are disproportionately represented in the child protection and child welfare systems. In child protection systems in the year 2000 the emphasis will be on a private-public, community-based, multidisciplinary, coordinated approach to primary prevention. There will also be continued emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach to non-coercive secondary prevention. (ABL)
- Published
- 1992
41. Children '98: America's Promise. 1998 Children's Legislative Agenda, Budget Updates & Issue Briefs.
- Author
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Child Welfare League of America, Inc., Washington, DC.
- Abstract
This report of the Child Welfare League of America calls for a meaningful national strategy to protect and invest in children and their families. The report outlines and documents essential investments, and highlights the costs of deficits and disinvestments in children. Specific actions are proposed to improve the well-being of vulnerable children, improve child safety, promote child and family well-being, and enhance the child and family service systems. Following an introduction that describes areas of significant legislation in 1997 and outlines the legislative challenges for 1998, the report presents a discussion of the federal budget as it relates to programs for children and families, and a chart of funding for selected children's programs. The 1998 legislative agenda is proposed in seven areas: (1) protecting children from abuse and neglect; (2) protecting children and strengthening families with quality child day care; (3) preventing crime and ensuring justice for young people; (4) helping young people become productive adults and build healthy communities; (5) ensuring adequate and appropriate health care for every child; (6) ensuring economic protection for children; and (7) helping vulnerable families with children secure housing. The report's three appendices define key legislative terms, list Congressional committees, discuss the importance of voting, and outline steps to implement the children's legislative agenda. (KB)
- Published
- 1998
42. A Conceptual Re-Examination of Support and Education Programs.
- Author
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Brookins, Craig C.
- Abstract
Inadequate preparation for parenting during the prenatal period, and the inability to provide adequate parenting have been cited as major reasons for a myriad of problems experienced by parents. This study examined support and education programs based on the aggregate 7-year experience of over 75 support and education programs funded by the Michigan Children's Trust Fund. This agency provided funding for a variety of local and statewide child abuse and neglect prevention efforts. The programs fell into the following three categories: neighborhood-based family resource centers; pregnancy/newborn programs; and parenting skills training and support groups. The focus of this investigation was on a number of the conceptual issues relating to the design, implementation, and evaluation of support and education programs. The following guidelines have been suggested for effective support and education programs which extend from a prevention framework. Programs should: (1) utilize an ecological approach to promoting human development; (2) be community-based and sensitive to local needs and resources; (3) provide social support services in three domains: information, emotional and appraisal support, and instrumental assistance; (4) emphasize primary and secondary prevention of various child and family dysfunctions; (5) develop innovative and multilateral approaches to service delivery; (6) underscore the interdependent relationship between family and community while reinforcing and respecting the family's role and prerogatives; and (7) emphasize the promotion of competence or "person-environment fit." (LLL)
- Published
- 1991
43. Every Child a Learner: Reducing Risks of Learning Impairment during Pregnancy and Infancy.
- Author
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Education Commission of the States, Denver, CO., Newman, Lucile F., and Buka, Stephen L.
- Abstract
This paper synthesizes findings of major research studies on development of learning impairment and its prevention in children from birth to age 5. The paper's scope does not include children who died or suffered major retardation. The paper attempts to demystify the language of research and medicine to clarify the prevalence of health, environmental, and poverty-based risk factors; their impact on a child's ability; and ways to prevent the risk factor or ameliorate the learning impairment once it occurs. Major preventable factors associated with learning impairment are low birthweight, prenatal alcohol exposure, maternal smoking, prenatal exposure to drugs, lead poisoning, child abuse and neglect, and malnutrition: each of these factors is discussed in turn. Prevention strategies include, among others, access for all women to early and informative prenatal care, health care before pregnancy and between pregnancies, developmentally stimulating infant day care with parent involvement, school health education, and societal commitment to diminish poverty. A separately printed 3-page summary is appended. (JDD)
- Published
- 1991
44. From Illinois' Front Line against Crime: A School and Youth Violence Prevention Plan.
- Abstract
Noting that one of the most powerful weapons to prevent crime are programs such as quality educational child care, after-school and summer programs, and child abuse prevention, this brief presents the school and youth violence prevention plan of an organization of Illinois law enforcement officers, state's attorneys, crime survivors, and leaders of police officer organizations. The plan is detailed in four steps: (1) assure all school-age children and teens access to after-school, weekend, and summer youth development programs to shut down the "prime time for juvenile crime"; (2) assure all babies and preschool children access to early childhood care and school readiness programs proven to cut crime; (3) help parents, early childhood caregivers, and schools identify and assist troubled and disruptive children at an early age, and provide children and their parents the counseling and training that can help equip children with the social emotional skills needed for success; and (4) prevent child abuse and neglect by providing resources and well-trained child protective services to safeguard endangered children and offering high-risk parents the in-home parent-coaching programs proven to cut in half abuse, neglect, and subsequent teen delinquency. The brief asserts that investing in children and youth now will have monetary benefits later in the form of savings to crime victims and society. A list of crime and violence prevention policy recommendations specifically for the state of Illinois concludes the brief. (KB)
- Published
- 2003
45. New Hope for Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect: Proven Solutions To Save Lives and Prevent Future Crime. A Report by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.
- Author
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Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Washington, DC., Kass, David, Miller, Cate, and Rollin, Miriam
- Abstract
Asserting that children who are abused or neglected are at risk of becoming future violent criminals, this report argues that this cycle of violence can be prevented by investing in recently confirmed abuse prevention and intervention strategies. The report presents information on the number of deaths each year due to abuse and neglect and calls upon state and federal officials to fund a comprehensive, research-driven initiative to eliminate most abuse and neglect in high-risk families. This plan calls for efforts to: (1) offer coaching in parenting skills to all at-risk parents; (2) offer quality prekindergarten programs with parent-training for at-risk children; (3) ensure that pregnant women who are addicted have access to drug and alcohol treatment programs; and (4) provide mental health services for depressed or mentally ill parents. The report argues that such efforts are fiscally sound and that failure to invest in programs proven to prevent child abuse and neglect will cost billions of dollars while endangering millions of children and ensuring there will be thousands of future crime victims. The report's two appendices contain technical notes on how projections in the report were calculated and a list of federal programs used to provide funding for child welfare. (Contains 107 endnotes.) (KB)
- Published
- 2003
46. From Pennsylvania's Front Line against Crime: A School and Youth Violence Prevention Plan.
- Abstract
Based on findings that high-quality early care and education, youth development programs for after-school and summer hours, child abuse and neglect prevention, and intervention programs can help to prevent violence crime, this document presents a violence prevention plan for the schools and youth of Pennsylvania. Four actions are proposed to reduce school and youth violence: (1) assure all children access in the earliest years to quality early care and education programs proven to reduce crime; (2) assure all school-age children and teens access to after-school, weekend, and summer youth development programs to shut down the "prime time for juvenile crime"; (3) help schools identify troubled and disruptive children at an early age, and provide children and their parents with the counseling and training that can help kids get back on track; and (4) prevent child abuse and neglect by offering high-risk parents in-home parenting-coaching and making sure that child protection, foster care, and adoption services have policies and sufficient well-trained staff to protect and heal abused and neglected children. The report concludes by urging the Commonwealths public officials to invest in the components of the four-part plan to reduce crime and violence. (KB)
- Published
- 2002
47. Risky Families and Neglected Children. A Personal and Social Problem.
- Author
-
Zlokovic, Jasminka
- Abstract
Noting that negligence and maltreatment of children is a phenomenon that hinders child development and causes damage to society, this paper deals with segments of parent-child relationships within the complex context of children and youth in a society of risks. The paper reviews recent studies pointing to the importance of certain sociological, psychological, medical, and educational facts as well as economic conditions posing risk. Particularly highlighted is a study conducted with pupils attending elementary schools in Rijeka, Slovenia, that reveals the complexity of the problem, which is magnified by parents' lack of control of children as one form of child negligence. The paper derives from the studies reviewed a model or hierarchy of problems constituting risk of negligence which tend to accumulate, including: inadequate relationships of parents toward children, punishment in families, children's fear of parents, children's fear of school, poor performance in school, younger parents, and addictions in the family. The model also spells out additional risk factors posed by a society indifferent to family risks, and ameliorating factors in a society providing help, protection, and better advancement. (Contains 11 references.) (HTH)
- Published
- 2002
48. Policy Statements on Children, Youth, and Families.
- Author
-
American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
- Abstract
This publication documents resolutions of the Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association (APA) related to children, youth, and families. It includes resolutions on: (1) children's mental health as indicated in Public Law No. 89-97; (2) the national commitment to early child development; (3) corporal punishment in institutions where children are cared for or educated; (4) sex discrimination in child custody issues; (5) the International Year of the Child; (6) psychological abuse of children and youth; (7) television violence and children, including encouraging parental monitoring of children's viewing, reducing televised violence, and supporting relevant research; (8) the establishment of an APA Committee on Children, Youth, and Families; (9) motor vehicle trauma to infants and children; (10) violence against children by governments; (11) the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; (12) an initiative to develop and implement a national strategy for preventing and treating child abuse and neglect; (13) the use of anatomically detailed dolls in forensic evaluations; (14) lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths in the schools; (15) the United Nations International Year of the Family, 1994; (16) firearm safety and youth, including nationwide licensing, reduction of access, and school-based educational programs; (17) violence in mass media, including dissemination of research results, endorsement of warning labels for violent material, revision of the Film Rating System, and reduction of media violence; (18) psychological needs of children exposed to disasters; and (19) access to sexuality education. (Contains 51 references.) (KDFB)
- Published
- 1995
49. A State Call to Action: Working To End Child Abuse and Neglect in Massachusetts.
- Author
-
Massachusetts KIDS COUNT, Boston.
- Abstract
Although Massachusetts ranks in the top 10 percent among states on several key indicators of child well-being, the state's growing incidence of child maltreatment is stark and confounding. This report launches a state call to action aimed at ending child maltreatment through revising and strengthening systems to protect children, providing support and education for families of young children to prevent abuse/neglect, and providing therapeutic and other services to allow abused/neglected children and their families to recover as fully as possible. The report is presented in six sections. Section 1 presents information on the incidence of abuse/neglect and its impact on children. Section 2 examines key causes and links between abuse and domestic violence, substance abuse, and homelessness. Section 3 addresses key proposals to modify the child protection network, including developing a multi-track system for differential response to abuse/neglect cases, depending on seriousness. Section 4 details recommendations for improving treatment and support for abused/neglected children and their families, including promoting schools as safe havens and healing places for abused, neglected, and traumatized children. Section 5 focuses on prevention, proposing the building of a strong infrastructure of family supports across the state to address family needs early so that state intervention could be avoided or reduced. Section 6 identifies child maltreatment as the common denominator underlying serious social problems that translate into enormous fiscal costs for society; the section calls for a commitment to ensure effective treatment for abused/neglected children, to strengthen state systems charged with the care and protection of these children, and to expand family support and prevention services significantly. The report's three appendices detail the activities of work groups related to the Summit Initiative on Child Protection and Family Support, list the participants of the Summit Initiative, and delineate child maltreatment numbers by city/town in Massachusetts for 1997. (Contains 292 endnotes.) (KB)
- Published
- 2001
50. CWLA Standards of Excellence for Services for Abused or Neglected Children and Their Families. Revised Edition.
- Author
-
Child Welfare League of America, Inc., Washington, DC.
- Abstract
Child welfare program standards based on current knowledge, children's developmental needs, and tested ways of meeting these needs most effectively provide benchmarks of excellence that can be used as goals to advance and guide contemporary practice. This book delineates standards for services for abused or neglected children and their families. The standards were developed by the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), based on extended discussion of principles and issues by experts in social work and related fields and critical review of a preliminary statement by CWLA member agencies, representatives of related professions, and other national organizations. The book discusses how to use the standards and differentiates the standards from accreditation and licensing. The book's introduction describes the origins of child protection efforts; the child protection policy framework; and practice, program, and policy issues in child protection. A new framework for child protection is also presented. The bulk of the book is comprised of the goals and standards for services and is organized in the following chapters: (1) "Protective Service for Abused or Neglected Children and Their Families"; (2) "Social Work Practice in Child Protective Services"; (3) "Working Together To Keep Children Safe: A Community Responsibility"; (4) "Working with the Civil and Criminal Justice Systems in Protecting Children"; (5) "Organization and Administration of Child Protective Services"; and (6) "Protecting Children in Settings Outside of Their Families or Homes." Also included in the book is a glossary of relevant terms. Contains approximately 100 references. (KB)
- Published
- 1999
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