Reach children and families and help them navigate the childwelfare system Case planning is one of the fundamental steps in working withdependent children, yet it is also one of the most challenging.Essentials of Child Welfare presents the key information clinicalsocial workers, child advocates, family law attorneys, and otherhuman services personnel need to work successfully with childrenand families in the child welfare system. Essentials of Child Welfare is packed with step-by-step guidelinesfor intervening proactively with foster care children and theircaretakers. Techniques are presented for handling a number ofrelated topics, including attachment issues, substance abuse,sexual abuse (victim and perpetrator), suicidal ideation, eatingdisorders, learning disabilities, juvenile delinquency, domesticabuse, and many more. As part of the Essentials of Social Work Practice series, this bookoffers a concise yet thorough overview of child welfare, numeroustips for best practices, and a prioritized assembly of all theinformation and techniques that must be at one's fingertips topractice knowledgeably, effectively, and ethically. Each concisechapter features numerous callout boxes highlighting key concepts,bulleted points, and extensive illustrative material, as well as"Test Yourself" questions that help you gauge and reinforce yourgrasp of the information covered.

The basic information family child care providers need to run a successful program in a warm, welcoming setting for children and their families

Reach children and families and help them navigate the child welfare system Case planning is one of the fundamental steps in working with dependent children, yet it is also one of the most challenging. Essentials of Child Welfare presents the key information clinical social workers, child advocates, family law attorneys, and other human services personnel need to work successfully with children and families in the child welfare system. Essentials of Child Welfare is packed with step-by-step guidelines for intervening proactively with foster care children and their caretakers. Techniques are presented for handling a number of related topics, including attachment issues, substance abuse, sexual abuse (victim and perpetrator), suicidal ideation, eating disorders, learning disabilities, juvenile delinquency, domestic abuse, and many more. As part of the Essentials of Social Work Practice series, this book offers a concise yet thorough overview of child welfare, numerous tips for best practices, and a prioritized assembly of all the information and techniques that must be at one's fingertips to practice knowledgeably, effectively, and ethically. Each concise chapter features numerous callout boxes highlighting key concepts, bulleted points, and extensive illustrative material, as well as "Test Yourself" questions that help you gauge and reinforce your grasp of the information covered.

Why are there proportionally more African American children in foster care than white children? Why are white children often readily adoptable, while African American children are difficult to place? Are these imbalances an indication of institutional racism or merely a coincidence? In this revised and expanded edition of the classic volume, Child Welfare, twenty-one educators call attention to racial disparities in the child welfare system by demonstrating how practices that are successful for white children are often not similarly successful for African American children. Moreover, contributors insist that policymakers and care providers look at African American family life and child-development from a culturally-based Africentric perspective. Such a perspective, the book argues, can serve as a catalyst for creativity and innovation in the formulation of policies and practices aimed at improving the welfare of African American children. Child Welfare Revisited offers new chapters on the role of institutional racism and economics on child welfare; the effects of substance abuse, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence; and the internal strengths and challenges that are typical of African American families. Bringing together timely new developments and information, this book will continue to be essential reading for all child welfare policymakers and practitioners.

Kids in danger are treated instrumentally to promote the rehabilitation of their parents, the welfare of their communities, and the social justice of their race and tribe—all with the inevitable result that their most precious developmental years are lost in bureaucratic and judicial red tape. It is time to stop letting efforts to fix the child welfare system get derailed by activists who are concerned with race-matching, blood ties, and the abstract demands of social justice, and start asking the most important question: Where are the emotionally and financially stable, loving, and permanent homes where these kids can thrive? “Naomi Riley’s book reveals the extent to which abused and abandoned children are often injured by their government rescuers. It is a must-read for those seeking solutions to this national crisis.” —Robert L. Woodson, Sr., civil rights leader and president of the Woodson Center “Everyone interested in child welfare should grapple with Naomi Riley’s powerful evidence that the current system ill-serves the safety and well-being of vulnerable kids.” —Walter Olson, senior fellow, Cato Institute, Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies

Child Protection and Child Welfare draws on the knowledge of child protection experts and social care professionals to provide an authoritative international overview of child protection strategy and policy. Devoting particular attention to the role played by culture in determining child welfare issues and child protection responses, this book illustrates the impact of both long-term influences, such as the legacy of the caste system in India, and more recent global events, such as the development of international trade in Ghana and shrinking budgets in Italy on national approaches to supporting families and children. The international perspective aims to enhance our understanding of the range of possible approaches, encouraging researchers, policymakers and practitioners to think critically about current models, and providing insights for developing practice. This important book will be essential reading for social workers, policy makers, child protection service workers, commissioners and managers across child and family welfare services, as well as researchers and academics in the field.