Showing papers in "Child Welfare in 1983"

Permanency Planning: A Redefinition.

Abstract: As a practice method, permanency planning has been on the scene long enough to require re-evaluation of its underlying theory and implications for social work. The authors therefore offer a comprehensive definition of permanency planning and describe its major features in detail. Concern about the phenomenon of drift in foster care has given rise to the practice called permanency planning — the process of taking prompt, decisive action to maintain children in their own homes or place them permanently with other families. This is an important movement in child welfare, and there is a continuing need to clarify its meaning so as to promote its development in theory and practice. Following a brief review of the literature, we therefore propose a comprehensive definition of permanency planning and delineate its major components.

Self-control training with maltreating parents.

Abstract: Seeking a method of intervention based on research about correlates of child maltreatment, the authors find that small-group, short-term training in self-control and child management skills gives parents the tools to better handle family stress and develop supportive social networks.

Birth of a sick or handicapped infant: impact on the family.

Abstract: The experience of bearing and caring for a sick or handicapped infant is described from the point of view of parents, whose responses were gathered from a clinical study. Implications for the child's development and ways of supporting the family are discussed.

Suggestions for reaching unmarried black adolescent fathers.

Abstract: PIP: This paper discusses ways to involve young fathers in social agency programs. Conclusions are based on results of studies conducted in 3 United States cities: Tulsa, Oklahoma, Chicago, Illinois, and Columbus, Ohio, concerning the characteristics and needs of unmarried black adolescent fathers. Data is drawn from personal interviews with adolescent fathers who were paid a fee for their particiaption in the study. Common characteristics emerge: 49% had their 1st coital experiences with a girl by the age of 12; 54% were 17 years or younger when they became a father; 65% came from families with 5 or more children; 60% had fathers present in the home; most felt closer to their mothers when growing up; 47% had sisters and 33% had brothers who were unwed parents; to 78%, nothing was wrong with having a child out of wedlock; 68% were not active church members; 50% had completed less than 12 years of school or were unemployed or out of school; 53% first received sex education from a friend and 46% shared knowledge of their sexual activity with a friend, usually at a recreational center. Problems of the fathers include difficulties with family of origin, restricted freedom, duty of providing for the child, limited visitation, problems with the mother's family, and lack of employment and education opportunities. Social agencies are the last source they would turn to with these problems; families their 1st choice. 98% expressed an interest in their children and 60% professed love for the mother. Suggestions to help these fathers include starting in small ways and offering practical help in employment and education before tackling emotional problems, using peer counselors and meeting in the father's own environment, involving the father's parents, and remembering the deep interest of these fathers for the young mothers and their children.

Effects of social class and familiarity on pediatricians' responses to child abuse.

Abstract: The results of a study of the effects of familiarity with the patient an patient socioeconomic status on pediatricians' responses to a case of apparent child abuse give insight into the bias that operates against full reporting of child abuse incidents. Language: en

The Foster Extended Family: A Support Network for Handicapped Foster Children.

Abstract: Described here is a program designed to support the placement of handicapped children by the use of a service model that eases family isolation and strained resources.

A critique of outcome evaluation in child abuse treatment.

Abstract: Controlled studies that examine the effectiveness of intervention with child abusing families are a rarity in the literature. Yet child welfare workers sorely need empirically based methods to treat these parents. The author analyzes 16 studies of child abuse treatment in terms of methods and findings, and suggests how future studies may be made more useful for practitioners.

The ecological approach to permanency planning: an interactionist perspective

Abstract: The most prominent concepts in the field today--the ecological approach and permanency planning--are discussed with a view toward constructing a general conceptual basis for practice and an analysis of the negative effects of professional bias on acceptance of the interactionist perspective. Language: en

Working with families of learning disabled children.

Abstract: The lives of learning disabled children and their parents are beset by bewildering paradoxes and misunderstandings, especially as they try to cope with educational systems. Social work professionals, as counselors and advocates, are shown to have the skills needed for early remedial intervention for the learning disabled.

Ameliorating the impact of teen-age pregnancy on parent and child.

Abstract: The increase in teen-age pregnancy creates a growing population of young mothers unable to care adequately for themselves or their children. Responding to budget cuts in Utah, the authors report on a program that combines the resources of an agency and a university program to teach mothers child care and self-sufficiency, promotes the healthy development of their children, and gives field training to social work students.

Social work and law in a foster care/adoption program.

Abstract: The push toward permanency planning has led to a blurring of distinctions between foster care and adoption, and consequent emotional and legal entanglements. The program described here was designed to emphasize cooperation between social workers and lawyers to safeguard the rights of all parties, and the authors discuss the pitfalls of casework with both biological and foster parents.

An experiential approach to cultural awareness in child welfare.

Abstract: To promote the training of workers for more effective practice with ethnic minorities, the authors report on a program whose key feature is internship in ethnic minority agencies.

Legal, casework, and ethical issues in "risk adoption".

Abstract: "Risk adoption" has received extremely little attention in the literature. The issues raised in this article must be more thoroughly researched before the method is advanced further by the service community. To proceed in the direction of use of "risk adoption" without necessary research regarding potential ramifications may invite difficulties in the future.