NCJ Number
109518
Date Published
1986
Length
43 pages
Annotation
Intended to enhance communication and understanding between workers in child care and child abuse, this booklet presents child care services as a major resource for preventing and treating child abuse.
Abstract
After reviewing the nature, extent, and causes of child abuse, the booklet portrays the current characteristics and child care needs of the typical American family. An overview of child care and associated issues considers the history of child care in the United States, types of child care, how to find child care services, the nature of quality child care, and child care's facilitation of the parent-child bond. Other issues discussed are 'latchkey' children, babysitting, handicapped children, crisis child care, therapeutic child care, and the financial dilemma of child care. Separate sections of the booklet discuss child care's contribution to child abuse prevention and how to start a child care service. Child advocacy and child care volunteers are briefly mentioned. Overall, the booklet concludes that empirical studies show quality child care's contribution to the cognitive and social development of children and the enhancement of the parent-child bond, so that the factors which contribute to child abuse are minimized in the family. Appendixes contain a day care model, suggestions for additional reading, a list of resource organizations, and tips to prevent child molesting. 7 references.