EVOLUTION OF A PROGRAM FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CHILD ABUSE

• NCJ Number: 51124
• Journal: Social Casework Volume: 57 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1976) Pages: 309-316
• Author(s): A S WOLKENSTEIN
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Family Service Assoc of America
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A HOSPITAL-BASED PROGRAM OF DIAGNOSIS, THERAPY, AND REFERRAL FOR CHILD ABUSE CASES AND THE PROGRAM'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CHILD WELFARE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1965 BY THE MEDICAL STAFF OF MILWAUKEE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, A TEACHING AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL IN MILWAUKEE, WIS. THE COMMITTEE SERVES AS A COORDINATING AND REFERRAL AGENCY FOR PHYICIANS OF CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, PROVIDES (LIMITED) DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION AND THERAPY PROGRAMMING FOR CASES REFERRED TO IT, AND WORKS WITH THE COURTS, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE'S PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNIT, AND OTHER HOSPITALS AND AGENCIES INVOLVED WITH ABUSED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE HOSPITAL ALSO OFFERS FOLLOWUP AND MEDICAL TREATMENT THROUGH ITS CHILD HEALTH CLINIC AND OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT. THE COMMITTEE BELIEVES IN A NONPUNITIVE APPROACH AND ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO USE ITS SERVICES ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, THE GOAL BEING TO PROVIDE A SAFE HOME FOR THE CHILD AND TO IMPROVE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS. THE COMMITTEE IS STAFFED BY A VOLUNTEER PEDIATRICIAN CHAIRMAN, THE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR, CHIEF OF STAFF, AND CHIEF RESIDENT, THREE PEDIATRICIANS, A PART-TIME PSYCHIATRIST, AND A SOCIAL WORKER. BY 1974, THE HOSPITAL HAD EVALUATED 384 CASES, PRESENTED 191 TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND PROVIDED SOCIAL WORK AND PSYCHIATRIC THERAPY TO ONE-THIRD OF THE CASES STUDIED BY THE COMMITTEE. THE COMMITTEE HAS FOUND THAT LEGAL INTERVENTION, WITH MEDICAL INVOLVEMENT THROUGH AN ORGANIZATION SUCH AS THE COMMITTEE, SHOULD PRECEDE PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENTS OF FAMILIES INVOLVED IN CHILD ABUSE. LEGAL INTERVENTION MAY BE THROUGH STANDARD POLICE PROCEDURES OR, PREFERABLY, BY SPECIALIZED CHILD ABUSE UNITS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. COMMUNITIES ARE URGED TO DEVELOP, COORDINATE, AND MONITOR PROGRAMS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE, AND TO CONSIDER FUNNELING CHILD ABUSE CASES INTO A FAMILY COURT SYSTEM (AS OPPOSED TO DIVIDING SUCH CASES BETWEEN CHILD AND ADULT COURTS). DETAILS OF THE MILWAUKEE COMMITTEE'S INTERACTIONS WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND OTHER AGENCIES ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)