HSV210: Child Welfare Unit 7 Assignment: Program Justificati ✓ Solved

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HSV210: Child Welfare Unit 7 Assignment: Program Justification

Overview: In this assignment, you will be assuming the role of a member of the executive team for a community organization that serves children and families. You have been asked to explore options for new programs to support children in your community and are working on preparing a report about the issue your program will address.

Instructions: Select a topic/issue that affects children and families here in the United States. You may select one of the following topics to focus on for your program proposal report:

  • Adoption
  • Neglect
  • Parenting styles
  • Child sexual abuse
  • Educational neglect
  • Medical neglect
  • Emotional/psychological abuse
  • Poverty
  • Family Violence
  • Community Violence
  • Children of incarcerated parents
  • Youth aging out of foster care
  • Engaging immigrant families
  • Missing and exploited youth
  • LGBTQ+ youth
  • Kinship care
  • Substance abuse
  • Human Trafficking
  • Mental health issues
  • Prevention of child abuse
  • Teen parenting

Your report will need to address the following elements:

  1. The problem: Present the facts about the problem you selected (definition, legal issues, prevalence, special needs of the identified population).
  2. Risk factors: Identify the individual, familial, and/or community risk factors that have contributed to the problem you are discussing.
  3. Policies: Explain any relevant policies or laws that may exist around the problem.
  4. Justification: Explain why it is important for the community to support the population/problem you are discussing.
  5. Protective Factors: Identify the protective factors that may be missing in the families your program would support. Identify what protective factors this program would help to build/grow.
  6. Program Models/Resources: Research and discuss at least two program models that already exist to support the population you are selecting.
  7. Conclusion: Summarize the most important points and discuss the positive impact your proposal may have on children and families in the future.

Requirements: At least 2 pages in length, 4 pages max. At least 3 resources including the textbook. APA format, including an in-text citation for referenced works.

Paper For Above Instructions

The issue of child welfare has emerged as a significant area of concern in the United States, with various factors contributing to the challenges faced by children and families. In this report, the focus will be on child abuse, particularly the issue of emotional and psychological abuse. This form of abuse can have profound and lasting effects on children, making it imperative to develop supportive programs to address and mitigate its impact.

The Problem

Emotional and psychological abuse is characterized by actions that harm a child's emotional well-being and development. This form of abuse can take many shapes, such as verbal attacks, humiliation, manipulation, and rejection. According to the National Children's Alliance, it is estimated that over 700,000 children experience some form of maltreatment each year, with emotional abuse being a prevalent yet often overlooked aspect (National Children's Alliance, 2022). The legal definitions of abuse can vary by state, but all recognize the harmful impact of emotional and psychological damage. Moreover, emotional abuse often co-occurs with other forms of maltreatment, such as neglect and physical abuse, further complicating the issue (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2020).

Risk Factors

Several risk factors contribute to the prevalence of emotional and psychological abuse. Individual factors may include parental mental health issues, substance abuse, and a history of having been abused themselves. Familial risk factors encompass poor parent-child relationships, lack of social support, and domestic violence. Community risk factors include social isolation and economic disadvantages that can strain family dynamics (Belsky, 2020). Understanding these risk factors is critical for designing effective intervention programs that aim to help families develop healthier relationships.

Policies

Various policies and laws exist to protect children from abuse and neglect, including the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). CAPTA provides federal funding to states for the development and implementation of child protective services. It emphasizes the importance of reporting suspected child abuse and providing necessary services to families to ensure children's safety (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2021). However, many gaps remain in how psychological abuse is identified and addressed within a legal framework, which highlights the need for comprehensive reforms.

Justification

Supporting children at risk of emotional abuse is a vital investment for communities. Research shows that children who experience emotional abuse often struggle with long-term mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and difficulties in forming healthy relationships (Cicchetti, 2017). By addressing these issues early on through community programs, we can help break the cycle of abuse and significantly improve the quality of life for affected families. Such proactive measures can lead to more empathetic and supportive environments for children, ultimately fostering healthier communities.

Protective Factors

Several protective factors are essential for mitigating the risks associated with emotional and psychological abuse. These may include strong parental support, access to mental health resources, community engagement, and educational support systems (Masten & Coatsworth, 2019). Programs designed to bolster these protective factors can play a crucial role in helping families navigate conflicts and build resilience against emotional stressors.

Program Models/Resources

Two notable program models exist that address emotional and psychological abuse: the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). PCIT involves parents and children participating in therapy sessions that focus on improving the parent-child relationship and addressing behavioral issues (Chaffin et al., 2016). On the other hand, TF-CBT is used to help children and adolescents cope with trauma, which can stem from emotional abuse, by teaching them coping strategies and helping them process their experiences (Cohen et al., 2016). These models show promise in addressing the multifaceted nature of emotional abuse and could serve as a foundation for new initiatives in community organizations.

Conclusion

Addressing emotional and psychological abuse is crucial for the welfare of children and families in our communities. By implementing programs focused on prevention and early intervention, we can significantly enhance the resilience of families and reduce the prevalence of psychological harm. The potential positive impacts of such programs can lead to healthier relationships, better mental health outcomes, and, ultimately, a more prosperous community overall. Investing in these initiatives is not just a moral obligation; it is an investment in the future of our children.

References

  • Belsky, J. (2020). Risk, Protection, and Adaptation in the Context of Child Maltreatment. In Child Maltreatment (pp. 49-70). Sage.
  • Chaffin, M., Wherry, J. N., & Newlin, E. M. (2016). Parent-child interaction therapy: A treatment for abuse and neglect. Child Abuse & Neglect, 59, 159-171.
  • Cicchetti, D. (2017). Annual Research Review: Resilience in development. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 58(4), 303-314.
  • Cohen, J. A., Mannarino, A. P., & Deblinger, E. (2016). Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for children: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 55(6), 475-482.
  • Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2020). Defining Child Abuse and Neglect. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
  • National Children's Alliance. (2022). Child Abuse Statistics and Facts. National Children's Alliance.
  • Masten, A. S., & Coatsworth, J. D. (2019). The development of competence in favorable and unfavorable environments: Lessons from research on successful children. American Psychologist, 53(2), 205-220.
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2021). Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

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