Chapter 1: Introduction to Child Welfare Practice
Introduction
Child Welfare Systems
Systems Historical Response to Child Maltreatment
Key Federal Child Welfare Policies in the United States
Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980
Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA)
Federal Child Welfare Policies Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Indian Children Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA)
Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994 (MEPA) and Interethnic Placement Act of 1996 (IEPA)
Goals of Child Welfare
Safety
Permanency
Well-being
Child Maltreatment Prevention
Protective Factors
Child Welfare Practice as a Profession
Characteristics of a Child Welfare Professional
Professional Responsibilities
Mandates
Empathy in Child Welfare
Managing Bias and Navigating Professional Identity
Outline of the Book
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested Activities
Additional Resources
References
Chapter 2: How the Child Welfare System Works
Introduction
Current Child Welfare System Description
Intake
Case Management
Law Enforcement Investigations
Professional Partners
Mandatory Reporting
Services
Privatization
Roles in Child Protection and Foster Care
Navigating the Dependency Court System
Preparing for and Testifying in Court
Parents Rights
Childrens Rights
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested Activities
Additional Resources
References
Chapter 3: Child Development and Well-being
Introduction
Domains of Child Development
Factors that Impede or Delay Normative Development
Supporting Healthy Child Development
Developmental Monitoring, Screening, and Evaluation
Attachment, Bonding, and Development
Attachment Theory
Parent-Child Bonding
Attachment Disorders
Family Roles
Parenting Styles
Child Discipline
Challenging Child Behaviors
Difficult Developmental Phases
Supporting Healthy Parent-Child Relationships
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested Activities
Additional Resources
References
Chapter 4: Identifying Child Maltreatment
Introduction
Physical Abuse
Signs and Symptoms of Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Sexual Abuse Disclosure
Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Abuse
Neglect
Signs and Symptoms of Neglect
Polyvictimization
Understanding Maltreatment
Risk Factors
Protective Factors
Consequences of Maltreatment
Consequences of Physical Abuse
Consequences of Sexual Abuse
Consequences of Emotional Abuse
Consequences of Neglect
Societal Consequences
Prevention
Cultural Considerations
Ongoing Debates in Child Welfare
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested Activities
Additional Resources
References
Chapter 5: Trauma-Informed Child Welfare Practice
Introduction
What Is a Traumatic Event?
How Does Trauma Affect Individuals?
Signs of Traumatic Stress
Infants and Toddlers
Preschool and elementary school-age children
Middle school and high school-age children
Triggers and Trauma Reminders
Impact of Trauma
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Assessment Tools and Strategies for Children who have Experienced Trauma
Engaging Families in the Screening Process
Reducing the Trauma Associated with Child Investigation, Removal, and Out-of-Home Placement
Overview of Treatment of Trauma
Evidence-informed Interventions to Address Trauma in Children
Using a Trauma-informed Approach
CDCs Guiding Principles to a Trauma-Informed Approach
Trauma-informed Child Welfare System
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested Activities
Additional Resources
References
Chapter 6: Child and Family Engagement in Child Welfare Practice
Introduction
Engagement
Strengths-based Practice in Child Welfare
Family-Centered Practice in Child Welfare
Building Rapport and Developing an Alliance with the Family
Connecting with Children
Culturally Grounded Engagement in Child Welfare
Child Welfare Professional as Change Agent
Solution-Focused Approach in Child Welfare
Motivational Interviewing in Child Welfare Practice
Managing Difficult Encounters with the Family
Working with Families Experiencing Mental Health Challenges, Substance Abuse, and Intimate Partner Violence
Substance Abuse
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Mental Illness
Promoting Collaborative Practice in Child Welfare
Working with Substitute Caregivers
Working with Kinship Placements
Working with Residential and Group Home Placement Staff
Working with Law Enforcement
Working with Attorneys and Court Personnel
Working with Medical and Behavioral Health Providers
Working with Educators and the School System
Child and Family Teams
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested Activities
Additional Resources
References
Chapter 7: Child Maltreatment Prevention and Family Preservation
Introduction
Child Maltreatment Prevention
History of Child Maltreatment Prevention
Prevention Strategies
Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) Strengthening Families
CDC Essentials for Childhood
Child Maltreatment Prevention Models
Home Visiting Programs
Parent Education Programs
Community-level Interventions
Policies Supporting Child Maltreatment Prevention
Family Preservation
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested Activities
Additional Resources
References
Chapter 8: Assessment in Child Welfare Practice
Introduction
Assessing Safety and Risk
Safety Assessment Goals
Assessment Tools
Actuarial and Clinical-based Approaches
New Ways to Identify Families in Need of Services
By Abuse Type
Assessment in Different Contexts
Skills for Assessment in Child Welfare
Conducting Family and Home Assessments
Understanding Families
Child Assessments
Forensic Interviewing
Documentation
Writing Effective Case Notes
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested Activities
Additional Resources
References
Chapter 9: Foster Care Placement
Introduction
Child Removal and Placement Process
Trauma of Removal
Placement Ideals
Least Restrictive Environments
Family/Kin
Siblings
Culturally Appropriate Settings
Proximity
Types of Placement
Relative/Kinship
NonRelative Family Placement
Congregate Care
Pre-adoptive Homes
Supervised Independent Living
Emergency Foster Care
Placement Trends
Relevant Policies
Services for Children in Foster Care
Services for Foster and Kinship Care Providers
Services for Parents with Children in Foster Care
In-Home Services and Family Preservation Services
Recruiting, Training, and Licensing Foster Parents
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested Activities
Additional Resources
References
Chapter 10: Permanency in Child Welfare Practice
Introduction
Permanency Planning
Principles Guiding Permanency Planning
Permanency: Policies and Laws
Permanency Goals
Adoption
Guardianship
Concurrent Permanency Planning
Achieving Permanency
Permanency Planning for Older Youth
Family-Centered Practice
Foster Care Re-Entry
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested Activities
Additional Resources
References
Chapter 11: Special Populations in Child Welfare Practice
Introduction
Children and Youth with Disabilities and Special Needs
Achieving Permanency for Children with Disabilities
LGBTQ Youth
Youth Aging Out/Transition-Age Youth
Supporting Youth During the Transition
Immigrant and Refugee Children and Families
Siblings in Foster Care
Human and Sex Trafficking
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested Activities
Additional Resources
References
Chapter 12: Supervision and Professional Development in Child Welfare
Introduction
Supervision in Child Welfare Practice
Importance of Supervision in Child Welfare
Clinical Supervision
Trauma-Informed Supervision
Solution-Focused Supervision
Group Supervision
Maximizing Supervision
Agency Responsibility for Supervision
Supervision Practices and Strategies
Professional Development for Child Welfare Professionals
Professional Goals
Ethics and Legal Issues
Racial Equity and Cultural Humility
Licensing and Certification
Child Welfare Practitioner Safety
Retention and Job Satisfaction
Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress
Self-Care
Developing a Self-care Plan
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested Activities
Additional Resources
References
