Child Protective Services Essay

The organization under investigation is Child Protective Services, also referred to as CPS, which is an agency within the Department of Family and Protective Services. CPS is a governmental organization that has existed for years. The agency is designed to protect children from abuse and neglect. There are numerous cases that are called in on a daily basis in the state of Texas, and it is the duty of state employees to address all allegations in a timely manner. The positions held as a caseworker within the agency are either Investigator, Special Investigator, Family Based Safety Services Specialist, or Conservatorship Specialist. Due to the required work and deadlines involved with being a caseworker at CPS, the job can become very

Child abuse is epidemic in many countries as well as the United States. It is estimated that every thirteen seconds a child is abused in some manner: physically, sexually, emotionally or by neglect (Friedman). Each year, there are over 3 million reports of child abuse in the United States involving more than 6 million children. Child abuse can be reduced with proper education of the parents and with greater public awareness.

The National Children 's Alliance reported that the number of unique cases of abused and neglected children in the United States stands at an annual rate of 700,000 and rising (as cited in ?U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,? 2016, p. ii). Sadly, this means that more than 1,900 new children become victims of abuse and neglect with each passing day. Neglect was the type of

Under and over reporting is of equal concern because both affect the number of child abuse victims who are in need of help. “Failure to report exposes children to serious injury or even death and over reporting diverts resources from understaffed agencies, thus limiting their ability their ability to protect children in real danger” (Loseke, 285). Another issue is when to decide whether signs of abuse are actual signs of child abuse or just everyday injuries child usually inflict on themselves. Furthermore, this can also impact the whether a person will report the incident or not. For example, two people can see the same incident and depending on their knowledge of child abuse they can, either report it or determine it is not abuse. “A study of non-reporting among teachers, blamed their lack of knowledge for detecting symptoms of child abuse and neglect” (Loseke, 292).

Child abuse and neglect is a significant problem in the United States that should demand direct attention. There are approximately three million child abuse reports made each year, and these reports involve more than six million children. Out of four to five children that die daily, 70 percent are under three years of age. There are 90 percent of cases involving of children who know who know their perpetrator. The main factors of child abuse are physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. In many cases involving sexual abuse, there is usually not any medical evidence to be shown, and there are usually not any witness due to the sexual acts taking place in private places. That is why it is considered the “hidden” form of abuse. Neglect is a type of maltreatment related to the failure to provide needed, age-appropriate care.

Child abuse and neglect is a national problem which has increased to epidemic proportions in the United States. More than 2.5 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States annually with over hundreds of deaths related to child abuse that has been reported each year. In 2013, an estimation of 1,520 children died from abuse in the United States. In that same year, Children’s Advocacy Centers around the country had served nearly 295,000 child victims of abuse, providing victim with support to these children and their families. Moving to 2014 this number was maxed to over 315,000. An estimation of 679,000 children were victims of abuse. There were 47 out of the 50 states that reported approximately 3.1 million children who received preventative services from Child Protective Services agencies in the United States. In the first year of a child 's life it was the highest rate of victimization of 23.1 per 1,000 children in the national population of the same age. Of the children who experienced abuse, nearly 80% sufficer neglect; 18% suffered physical abuse; and 9% suffered sexual abuse.

In 2011, in the United States Child Protective Services received 3.4 million referrals, representing 6.2 million children. Of those cases referred, about 19% were substantiated and occurred in the following frequencies (USDHHS, 2011)

Childhood maltreatment (abuse and/or neglect) is prevalent concern. In 2012, the Children’s Bureau reported 3.2 million unique count cases of childhood abuse that were screened. Of those cases nearly 20% where found to be substantiated, indicated or alternative response, which is an estimate of about 686,000 children (unique cases) were victims of abuse and neglect nation in one year. Additionally, nearly 40% of those children did not receive any services. These numbers, again are those cases that have been reported and founded, we know that underreporting of maltreatment, is too a concern (Finkelhor & Dziuba-Leatherman, 1994).

Child abuse is the “saddest and most tragic problem” in the United States today (Child Abuse). Every year more than 3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving more than 6 million children. Victims range from ages of a few weeks to late teenage years.

Every year an approximate 139,000 cases of child abuse and neglect are reported in Ohio, and 72,000 are thoroughly investigated (Ohio's Children 2012). Although some might think this number is high, it is believed that the number of actual child abuse cases would

According to the Arizona Department of Child Safety (2015), 26,455 the Child Abuse hotline received 26, 455 calls that met the statutory criteria for a DCS report. In light of this statistic is remains crucial that the social worker be aware of and adhere to mandated reporter guidelines. The online mandated reporter training mentions that due to the relationship the clinician develops with a child, there is the possibility the child will disclose instances of abuse. It is very important, as the training points out, that the social worker manage this situation both accurately and delicately. In many cases, the child will be extremely vulnerable, compromised, afraid and perhaps even in pain. It is the social worker’s responsibility to create a calm, safe environment in order for the

Ed. Judith S. Baughman, Victor Bondi, Richard Layman. The article states; “charges were later dropped or trials ended in acquittals. By the end of the decade the issue of the safety of child-care centers was not resolved in the public mind. Dr. Richard Gardner, a well-known child psychiatrist associated with Columbia University,” also in the same article: "Child Abuse." by American Decades. Ed. Judith S. Baughman, Victor Bondi, Richard Layman. The article states; Saturday-morning cartoon shows featured public service announcements warning children not to get into strangers' cars. At some schools children attended classes instructing them what to do if someone tried to fondle them sexually. This shows that the government is releasing information out to the world to aware parents. “Where there are concerns about a child's safety or well-being, most people find the decision to report these concerns a difficult one. They worry about overreacting or being wrong, and may question whether they have strong enough evidence, or if they have misread the signs of abuse or misunderstood a situation.("Be Curious and Act against Child Neglect." European Union News 9 Feb. 2017”). In the article "Child Abuse." by American Decades. Ed. Judith S. Baughman, Victor Bondi, Richard Layman. The article states; ."

Doctors and other people see child abuse, but few of them report it. People may not recognize it or just do not want to report it and then end up being wrong. In the article “Child Abuse” by John Lantos, it states, “Pediatricians may give adults the benefit of the doubt regarding injuries that may be associated with abuse (McCarthy 2008). They may also be fearful that child-abuse reports will be bad for business” (Lantos 2014). These

According to data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), 49 States reported a total of 1,593 fatalities. Based on these data, a nationally estimated 1,640 children died from abuse and neglect in 2012. This translates to a rate of 2.20 children per 100,000 children in the general population and an average of four children dying every day from abuse or neglect (https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/fatality.pdf#page=2&view=How). Many professionals believe that many child fatalities that are directly linked to child abuse or neglect go unreported. A recent report estimates upwards to 50 percent of unintentional injury deaths are reclassified (https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/fatality.pdf#page=2&view=How). Unfortunately failure to correctly classify these deaths is not the

Moreover, the report to investigate an alleged child abuse or neglect is assigned by the statewide central intake (SCI), this unit is with the protective service division (PSD) whose