1 What Is Child Welfare? Child Welfare in the United States Background for understanding the public child welfare system The Service Array Process National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement A Service of the Children’s Bureau, U.S.D.H.H.S. April 28, 2008

2 History of Public Child Welfare As early as 1692 in the colonies there was a recognition that local jurisdictions had a responsibility to care for abused and neglected children However, most of the services remained in the private sector until the the late 1800’s The “Mary Ellen Wilson” case in 1874 brought attention to the problem of child maltreatment

3 History (cont.) During the early 1900’s the federal government became more involved in child protection In 1961 the Social Security Act was amended to protect children Several major legislative mandates since then, creating a requirement for every state to maintain a child protection system

4 Purpose of the Current Child Welfare System Protect and promote the welfare of all children Prevent neglect, abuse and exploitation Family support so that children can remain safely in their own homes Protect and promote permanence for children in care Promote the successful transition of youth from state care

5 The Four P’s of Child Welfare Prevention Protection Permanency Promoting successful transition to adulthood NO ONE SYSTEM CAN ACCOMPLISH THESE TASKS

6 Current Mandates Federal-child safety, permanency and well-being- Adoption and Safe Families Act or “ASFA” Federal- To assure the development of a robust service array for children and their families State- Every state has its own specific legislative mandates and policies that guide the child welfare system

7 Operations of the Child Welfare System Prevention- supporting programs and initiatives directed towards primary prevention Protection- the most essential function that ensures child safety Permanency- removal of children as a last resort, reunifying when possible or finding another permanent living situation Transition Services- independent living programs for youth who are preparing to leave state care

8 Role of the Service Array in Public Child Welfare Families are best served holistically because their problems often defy one “solution” Child welfare is unable to complete its tasks on its own Research shows children and families are better served through multi-disciplinary partnerships