The welfare of children has been a concern of Americans for
centuries. That concern manifested itself in the 20th century as a
large bureaucracy of administrative agencies who knew better than
parents and families what was best for children. But child
welfare reform is taking place now in the 21st century.
While traditional child welfare work involved
mostly agency action, Crystal Foster has worked with the Annie E. Casey
Foundation on her research for the Child Advocacy Practicum last spring,
developing an understanding of how children
can be best protected. See her presentation here.
The 21st century ideas about child welfare maintain child safety
as the primary concern. A major federal law in favor of that trend was
the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA), promoting the
adoption of children into forever families from foster
care. Child Welfare Agencies now use a family-centered, rather than an
agency-centered, focus for children. The focus ensures the safety and
protection of children while preserving and supporting families.
This focus brings a team of players together to help determine the
least traumatic situation to promote a child's best interests. That
means that caseworkers, family members, the child, friends, relatives,
neighbors, teachers, clergy and counselors all
work together toward the solution. It also means that families are a
resource, and anytime a child can be cared for by kin and relatives,
that is preferred.
I think having a collaborative approach rather than one just focused on a governmental agency is the best thing that a child can have when dealing with separation from their family or caregiver. It allows them to know that everyone in their lives, from extended family, to relatives, and other close persons are there to support them and help them feel secure in what can be an otherwise unsecure setting. It also allows those who know the child personally to use their knowledge to make sure the specific needs of the child are being adequately addressed.
ReplyDelete