The traditional model of child protective services system based on a welfare worker responding to an allegation of abuse is not adequately safeguarding our children. As a member of your local community concerned about the welfare of the children in your community, write a ten page paper including at least 10 references from peer-reviewed journals or other scholarly works, detailing how the current status of child protective services in your community might be improved through establishment of community partnerships.
Sample Solution
Child Protective Services (CPS) are a set of services designed to protect children from maltreatment, neglect, and abuse. This system is the first line of defense for many children who have experienced family violence or other forms of harm. When an allegation of child abuse or neglect is made, CPS workers are usually responsible for investigating the situation, providing assistance to families in need, and ultimately deciding on any legal action that may need to be taken. Unfortunately, the traditional model of CPS has been shown to be inadequate in protecting our most vulnerable population—children. In order to ensure a safe and secure environment for all children in our community, it is essential that we work together as a collective effort through community partnerships. This paper will discuss how current status of child protective services might be improved through established community partnership initiatives such as family support groups; collaborations with law enforcement agencies; use of multidisciplinary teams; enhanced training opportunities; increased resources; increased coordination between agencies; integrated service delivery models; and innovative strategies such as trauma-informed care approaches.
Family Support Groups
Family support groups provide emotional and practical support by offering information about available resources, access to mental health services, educational materials on parenting skills, problem solving advice regarding common issues faced by families with young children living under their roof-top shelter (Beardslee et al., 2008). They also help parents develop healthy communication skills so they can better manage emotions when conflict arises. These groups are comprised mostly by local volunteers who understand the challenges faced by families dealing with stressors due to financial strain or parental illness (Ungar et al., 2011). Family support groups can bolster parental capacities related to emotional regulation while also contributing towards increasing resiliency within families (Lamanna & Rehfuss 2017).