This volume consists of papers delivered at two seminars of the Fels Institute of Local and State Government at the University of Pennsylvania. The first seminar considered basic issues underlying the coordination of family and child welfare services, and the second seminar discussed issues in the coordinated use of family and child welfare resources. The papers presented in this volume represent a basic analysis of major issues in the coordination of social welfare programs. Topics discussed cover the structure and framework of social welfare services and agencies, both public and private; the philosophic and legal bases for administering welfare services; the overlapping roles of agencies; the allocation of resources to achieve maximum benefits from the funds available, and the education and training of social, workers to relieve personnel shortages. Not only are the problems analyzed but solutions and suggestions are put forth to solve them. Guidelines are proposed for change and development of the social welfare field. All the contributors are distinguished in the field of social welfare, and their evaluations and suggestions are of importance to all Americans, regardless of political beliefs and affiliations. Many will find agreement with the sharp appraisals and revolutionary ideas concerning family and child welfare programs presented in these papers. Much of the dead wood is cleared away and many sacred cows are disposed of by logical and reasoned arguments directed toward over­hauling the welfare system in this country by legislative action, private means, educating the public, and developing an informed leadership. Contributors include Alfred J. Kahn and Fred Delliquadri, New York School of Social Work, Columbia University; Verl Lewis, School of Social Work, University of Maryland; Wayne Vasey, Graduate School of Social Work, Rutgers University; James R. Dumpson, Department of Welfare, City of New York, and Mary R. Baker, Council on Social Work Education.

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.

This volume examines existing research documenting racial disproportionality and disparities in child welfare systems, the underlying factors that contribute to these phenomena and the harms that result at both the individual and community levels. It reviews multiple forms of interventions designed to prevent and reduce disproportionality, particularly in states and jurisdictions that have seen meaningful change. With contributions from authorities and leaders in the field, this volume serves as the authoritative volume on the complex issue of child maltreatment and child welfare. It offers a central source of information for students and practitioners who are seeking understanding on how structural and institutional racism can be addressed in public systems.

This newly revised and updated edition of a widely adopted text continues to address a broad array of issues in supporting children and strengthening families. It includes key information about federal legislation as well as policy-related outcomes research in child welfare. The first edition of The Child Welfare Challenge was hailed by Social Work as "an excellent source from which to gain an in-depth understanding of the practice and policy dimensions of child maltreatment, foster care, and adoption" and by the Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare as "essential reading for anyone interested in knowing more about child welfare practice in social work." Within a historical and contemporary context, this book examines major policy, practice, and research issues as they jointly shape current child welfare practice and possible future directions. In addition to describing the major challenges facing the child welfare field, the book highlights some of the service innovations that have been developed, as these could be used to help address some of these challenges. In child welfare the focus is on families and children whose primary recourse to services has been through publicly funded agencies. The contributors consider historical areas of service--foster care and adoptions, in-home family-centered services, child-protective services, and residential services--in which social work has a legitimate, long-standing, and important mission. This is a comprehensive book, but one that appreciates the fact that many areas, such as daycare and early intervention, invite exploration. It is unique in that each chapter describes how policy initiatives and research can or should influence program design and implementation.

Within a historical and contemporary context, this book examines major policy practice and research issues as they jointly shape child welfare practice and its future. In addition to describing the major problems facing the field, the book highlights service innovations that have been developed in recent years. The resulting picture is encouraging, especially if certain major program reforms I are implemented and agencies are able to concentrate resources in a focused manner. The volume emphasizes families and children whose primary recourse to services has been through publicly funded child welfare agencies. The book considers historical areas of service—foster care and adoptions, in-home family-centered services, child-protective services, and residential services—where social work has an important role. Authors address the many fields of practice in which child and family services are provided or that involve substantial numbers of social work programs, such as services to adolescent parents, child mental health, education, and juvenile justice agencies. This new edition will continue to serve as a fundamen-tal introduction for new practitioners, as well as summary of recent developments for experienced practitioners.