CHILD ABUSE - A PLAN FOR PREVENTION

• NCJ Number: 54454
• Author(s): R E HELFER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 42 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: McDonald's Corporation
• Corporate Author: National Cmtte to Prevent Child Abuse
• Sale Source: National Cmtte to Prevent Child Abuse
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

MODIFICATIONS IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS ARE PROPOSED IN ORDER TO PREVENT MAJOR AND FREQUENT BREAKDOWNS IN THE INTERACTION BETWEEN PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN.

Abstract

THE PREVENTION PROGRAM PROPOSED DOES NOT ATTEMPT TO SINGLE OUT FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT PERSONS WHO SHOW, UNDER RELIABLE TESTING, POTENTIAL FOR CHILD ABUSE. IT IS BELIEVED THAT BREAKDOWN IN PARENT-CHILD INTERACTIONS IS SO WIDESPREAD THAT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS TO AID ALL PARENTS IN PARENTING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE ARE REQUIRED. THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM ARE IDENTIFIED AS THE PRINCIPAL DELIVERERS OF THE PREVENTION SERVICES PROPOSED. PHASE ONE OF THE PREVENTION PROGRAM AIMS AT ENHANCING THE PARENTS-BABY ATTACHMENT DURING THE PERINATAL PERIOD. THE PROGRAM DESCRIBED WOULD REQUIRE EACH HOSPITAL TO HIRE A FULL-TIME DIRECTOR FOR THE PERINATAL ATTACHMENT PROGRAM, AND A VOLUNTEER STAFF WOULD SERVE AS 'COACHES' FOR PARENTS DURING THE MONTHS OF PREGNANCY, THE PERIOD OF DELIVERY, AND IN THE HOME FOR A BRIEF PERIOD AFTER LEAVING THE HOSPITAL. THE AIM OF THE PROGRAM IS TO DEVELOP PATTERNS OF HEALTHY INTERACTION WITH THE BABY, BASED UPON EXPERT KNOWLEDGE OF THE PARENTING SKILLS AND BEHAVIOR MOST NURTURING FOR THE BABY'S EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. PHASE TWO OF THE PREVENTION PROGRAM DEALS WITH THE ENHANCEMENT OF POSITIVE PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION IN THE FIRST 5 OR 6 YEARS OF THE CHILD'S LIFE. TWO ALTERNATIVE PLANS ARE PROPOSED WHEREBY PARENTS WILL BE TAUGHT CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION. THE CURRICULUM WOULD BE TAUGHT BY CHILD DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS AND PHYSICIANS. THE THIRD AND FINAL PHASE OF THE PREVENTION PROGRAM WOULD BE INSTITUTED IN THE PERIOD FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THE 12 GRADE AND IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE INTERPERSONAL SKILLS OF ALL CHILDREN ATTENDING PUBLIC AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS. THIS PROGRAM WOULD INVOLVE INCLUDING IN PUBLIC EDUCATION COURSES FOR EACH SCHOOL YEAR COURSES THAT WOULD TEACH INTERPERSONAL SKILLS APPROPRIATE FOR THE AGE GROUP BEING TAUGHT. IT IS PROPOSED THAT A FEDERAL CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND BE ESTABLISHED TO FUND THE PROPOSED PROGRAM NATIONWIDE. PROCEDURES FOR GETTING STARTED, RESEARCH, AND EVALUATION ARE BRIEFLY CONSIDERED. (RCB)