Young Children and Child Welfare Involvement Erin J. Maher, PhD, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Young Children and Child Welfare Involvement

Erin J. Maher, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of OKlahoma

YOUNG CHILDREN PACK A PUNCH!

The Early Years: Sensitive Period of Development

Investment pay-

• ffs are larger

for vulnerable, at-risk, or underserved children

Source: Center for American Progress

Young Children in Child Welfare

• Infants and toddlers more

likely to be a confirmed victim of child maltreatment

• Children under six make

up a disproportionate percentage of foster care entries

• Infants and toddlers more

likely to experience repeat maltreatment and remain in foster care longer than

• lder children.

Vulnerabilities in Child Welfare

• Impact of abuse and

neglect on child development

• Trauma of removal,

lack of permanency, and instability on brain development

• Poverty

Poverty and Child Welfare Involvement

Poverty and Child Welfare Involvement

• REPORTS

Families with low socioeconomic status 7 x more likely to be reported for neglect; 3 x more likely to be reported for abuse

• INVESTIGATIONS
• 75% of families are low-income
• 50% are in poverty
• 25% are in deep poverty
• OPEN CASES

50% of families are in deep poverty*

*Data from one state only

Child Welfare Agencies Often Not Able to Meet the Developmental Needs of Young Children

• Lack of specialized knowledge or skill
• Lack of resources
• Lack of evidence-based interventions

Recommendations

• Cross-system collaboration

approach

• Engagement with judicial

branch

• Specialized training and

staffing

• Comprehensive, whole family,

relational approaches

• Two and Three Generation

Approaches

A Few Examples of Promising Practices

Childhaven

And beyond the economic value…

“A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”

• Mahatma Ghandi

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

• Nelson Mandela