D11

BUILDING SAFETY FOR CHILDREN IN THE CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM

Presenters: Sarah Buel

Abstract Category: Domestic Violence

Instruction Level: Intermediate

Presentation: Click Here

Description:

As we rethink removal, reunification and services in families where domestic violence raises child safety issues, it is important to adopt and replicate effective practices.

Abstract:

This session will focus on children of abuse victims who are involved in the child protection system and how we can improve safety for all family members at risk of harm.  We will address cases in which the battered mother is charged with failing to protect her children from the abuser, and those alleging neglect.  Despite the fact that the majority of children come into the child protection system because of neglect, literature, news coverage, and child welfare legislation generally fail to distinguish between abuse and neglect. For example, the 1997 Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) makes no distinction between abuse and neglect cases in its imposition of a strict deadline for states to file for termination of parental rights. Sometimes the imposition of stringent timelines in neglect cases is counterproductive to our efforts against racism, poverty, domestic violence, and substance abuse.