NCJ Number
50571
Date Published
1976
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A REPORT IS PRESENTED ON THE PROGRESS OF CHILD ADVOCACY SINCE THE 1970 COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN STRESSED THE CHILD ADVOCACY APPROACH.
Abstract
IN SPITE OF GROWING INTEREST IN THE CONCEPT OF CHILD ADVOCACY, IT FACES FUNDAMENTAL RESISTANCE. SOCIETY'S SHORT-RANGE METHODS OF HANDLING SOCIAL PROBLEMS RUN COUNTER TO THE LONG-RANGE CONTINUITY OF CARE AND PREVENTION INHERENT IN THE CONCEPT OF CHILD ADVOCACY. PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD YOUNG PEOPLE ARE AMBIVALENT. CHILD ADVOCACY PLANNING IS DISCUSSED. IN THE PLANNING PROCESS, CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS RELY UPON REPRESENTATION THROUGH EITHER THEIR PARENTS OR OTHER ADULTS, THOUGH OLDER ADOLESCENTS SHOULD BE ALLOWED SELF-REPRESENTATION. THE JOINT COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT LOCAL, REGIONAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL BODIES BE ESTABLISHED FOR CHILD ADVOCACY, ALTHOUGH A SUPERAGENCY SHOULD NOT BE CREATED. A NATIONAL OFFICE OF CHILD ADVOCACY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THE OFFICE OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND SEVERAL STATES HAVE CHILD ADVOCACY BODIES. THE DEFINITION OF A CHILD ADVOCATE EVOKES THE IMAGE OF A PERSON LOCATED IN A SPECIFIC PLACE, READILY VISIBLE, AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN AND ACTIVELY SEEKING OUT NEEDY PERSONS. THE QUESTIONS ARISE AS TO HOW THE ADVOCATE WOULD COME INTO BEING, FUNCTION, BE PAID, AND BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE IS SPONSORING SEVERAL PROJECTS TO EVALUATE MECHANISMS FOR A CHILD ADVOCACY SYSTEM. THE MOST IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENT OF CHILD ADVOCACY ACTIVITY HAS BEEN THE SENSITIZING OF THE PUBLIC AND CHILD-FAMILY PROFESSIONALS. IT HAS PROVIDED A FRAMEWORK FOR POOLING KNOWLEDGE, EXERCISING POLITICAL INFLUENCE, PLANNING SERVICES, AND REORGANIZING PROFESSIONAL ROLES. IT IS LIKELY THAT BOTH LAYPERSONS AND PROFESSIONALS WILL ASSUME A MORE ACTIVE, ADVOCATE ATTITUDE IN THEIR ROLES, HOWEVER, EDUCATION IN CHILD MENTAL HEALTH IS NEEDED AT ALL LEVELS AND PUBLIC PLANNERS REQUIRE ACCESS TO CHILD ADVOCACY CONSULTATION. (DAG)