NCJ Number
142705
Date Published
1993
Length
72 pages
Annotation
The National Commission on Children recommends a three-tiered approach to strengthen families, to reduce the number of children to be placed outside their homes, and to provide better support to children who require out-of-home care.
Abstract
Programs and services for vulnerable children and their families should be restructured to include three complementary approaches: community-based family support networks, comprehensive early intervention, and comprehensive child welfare services for families in crisis. Community-based family support networks offer access and referrals to a broad range of services to strengthen families and facilitate healthy child development. Comprehensive early intervention involves providing help to strengthen families before their problems become acute. The intent of comprehensive child welfare services for families in crisis is to keep children in their own homes whenever feasible and to provide temporary and permanent placement for those who must be separated from their families. The report's initial section identifies approaches to the planning and development of a reformed child welfare system. 54 notes and 1 appendix