NCJ Number
117603
Date Published
1987
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This analysis of Federal laws, programs, and policies related to handicapped children and child abuse and neglect concludes that taken in combination, they demonstrate significant leadership in protecting children who are both handicapped and maltreated or vulnerable to maltreatment.
Abstract
Although no law speaks directly to this population of the children, firm statutory bases exist to protect all children from harm, to provide for their education, to assure diagnosis and treatment for the medically needy, to provide service for crippled children, and to provide for the needs of developmentally disabled and mentally retarded. The laws make repeated references to the States and reinforce their roles and responsibilities in providing for services. The laws also emphasize the importance of different disciplines and professional groups in addressing the problems of children in need of specialized services. Many Federal grants are available to address these issues. More attention to carrying out existing legislation would be preferable to enacting new legislation, however.