NCJ Number
64424
Date Published
1979
Length
128 pages
Annotation
A STUDY OF CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT RESPONSE SYSTEMS IN ILLINOIS, BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH PERSONNEL OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES (DCFS), IS DOCUMENTED.
Abstract
THE STUDY, CONDUCTED FROM SEPTEMBER 1978 TO FEBRUARY 1979, INVOLVED INTERVIEWS WITH DCFS REGIONAL DIRECTORS AND FIELD OFFICE SUPERVISORS, VISITS TO CHICAGO FIELD OFFICES AND TO SPECIALIZED ABUSE/NEGLECT INTAKE CENTERS, AND ANALYSIS OF ABUSE/NEGLECT RECORDS MAINTAINED BY THE DCFS RESEARCH BRANCH. THE STUDY REPORT FOCUSES ON ABUSE/NEGLECT REPORTING PROCEDURES, DCFS STAFFING AND OTHER RESOURCES, RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY AGENCIES, AND AVAILABILITY OF ABUSE/NEGLECT SERVICES. AMONG PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED ARE INCONSISTENCIES IN REPORTING, REGIONAL IMBALANCES IN RESOURCES, HEAVY CASELOADS IN CHICAGO DCFS OFFICES, LACK OF COORDINATION BETWEEN DCFS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND OVERRELIANCE ON PRIVATE AGENCIES. THE STUDY ALSO FOUND THAT, WHILE THE GREATEST NUMBER OF ABUSE/NEGLECT REPORTS COME FROM URBAN AREAS WITH HIGH LEVELS OF POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT, AND DRUG ABUSE, THE MOST SERIOUS PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE OCCURS IN RURAL AREAS. THE STUDY REPORT INCLUDES A SUMMARY OF METHODOLOGY, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS; AN OVERVIEW OF ABUSE/NEGLECT IN ILLINOIS, DCFS POLICIES AND ORGANIZATION, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES; AND DETAILED REPORTS FOR EACH DCFS REGION, INCLUDING SUMMARIES FOR EACH COUNTY.