NCJ Number
122255
Journal
Protecting Children Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1989) Pages: 13-18
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
After the 1986 death of Eli Creekmore, a 4-year-old who was chronically and severely abused by his stepfather, the State of Washington appointed a task force to examine State laws relating to child abuse and neglect and policies, programs, and personnel practices of the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
Abstract
The DCFS ordered local offices to organize multidisciplinary child protection teams consisting of community professionals who work with abusing and neglecting families, to staff the most serious cases, and to advise regarding protection and treatment issues. The DCFS also adopted a policy requiring an administrative review of any case in which a physician diagnoses the existence of child abuse and neglect when the abused or neglected child is not removed from the home. Although child protective legislation was changed, sufficient additional resources were not provided to the DCFS. The DCFS subsequently decided to implement a comprehensive risk assessment system which includes a new intake form, standardized screening guidelines, and a risk assessment tool designed to prioritize and predict child abuse and neglect. Translating this system into agency practice, however, has not been fully realized due to funding deficiencies and lack of commitment by middle managers and line supervisors. Nonetheless, the development and utilization of community child protection teams, alternative response systems for minor cases, experiments in community service planning, and improved basic training for caseworkers have resulted in a better defined State child protective service system. Recommendations to further improve DCFS operations and services are offered.