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04 2000, Vol. 1, No. 2
You can find additional guidance on the Final Rule on Federal Monitoring of State Child Welfare Programs in testimony given by Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Olivia Golden to a House subcommittee.
Golden discussed the rule's background and history on February 17 with the House Subcommittee on Human Resources. She also spoke in detail about the rule's four sections:
The rule was issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in January.
Golden said the rule emphasizes accountability and technical assistance as essential elements in State and Federal efforts to protect the well-being of children. She also discussed the next steps in implementing the rule including:
Read Assistant Secretary Golden's congressional testimony online at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/olab/legislative/testimony/2000/childwelfare021700.html.
Related Article
See the March 2000 issue of CB Express for "Final Rule Implementing Child Welfare Laws Aims to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families."
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: News From the Children's Bureau
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=61
The Children's Bureau has released a Program Instruction (PI) for States applying for Community-Based Family Resource and Support Grants for fiscal year 2000. The grants provide funding to establish statewide networks of family support programs.
The Program Instruction contains the following:
The closing date for receipt of all CBFRS grant program applications is May 1, 2000.
Funds awarded to States under the CBFRS program must be used for:
States receive 70 percent of the CBFRS funds based on the proportional number of children under age 18 residing in each State. The remaining 30 percent of Federal funds will be matched according to the amount of funds leveraged by each State from private, State, or other non-Federal sources in the preceding fiscal year. Each State must designate a lead agency to administer the funds. The Program Instruction details the lead agency documentation requirements, as well as the documentation of leveraged funds that must be provided to receive Federal matching funds. The PI also contains several attachments, including legislative documents, statement forms, worksheets, population allocation of CBFRS Funds, certification forms, and contact lists.
States or their designated lead agency may obtain a copy of this Program Instruction or other information related to the CBFRS grant program, by contacting:
Dr. Eleanor M. Wagoner
Office of Child Abuse and Neglect
Switzer Building; Room 2421
330 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20447
Tel.: 202-205-0749
Fax: 202-401-5917
Email: ewagoner@acf.hhs.gov
An online version of this Program Instruction is available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/policy/pi/pi0001/pi0001.htm
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: News From the Children's Bureau
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=70
Title 1 of the Foster Care Independence Act, enacted into law last December, makes substantial changes in Federal efforts to serve youth transitioning out of the child welfare system.
On March 16, 2000, the Children's Bureau issued an Information Memorandum (IM) regarding the newly retitled John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP). The IM, which was sent to all States, Territories, and State Independent Living Coordinators, does the following:
The Information Memorandum outlines specific CFCIP provisions regarding funding and design and delivery of services to youth in foster care and young adults formerly in foster care. The IM also notes that the Children's Bureau will soon issue a Program Instruction to assist States in the following areas related to CFCIP's new and/or revised provisions:
A second Program Instruction will be issued by June 30, 2000, providing application procedures and guidance for FY 2001-FY 2004.
The Information Memorandum includes the following attachments:
The Information Memorandum is available online at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/policy/im/im0003.htm.
Related items
A new report on the IV-E Independent Living Programs, released by the Children's Bureau, is available online at http://www.calib.com/nccanch/pubs/otherpubs/il/index.cfm. (Note: this publication is no longer available.)
This issue of the CB Express also contains "Answers to Foster Care Independence Questions" about a related publication answering frequently asked questions about the Chafee law.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: News From the Children's Bureau
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=71
A number of States and localities are looking at the ancient problem of infant abandonment in a new legislative light.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), at least 23 States have proposed legislation related to infant abandonment. Currently, in these and other States, parents who discard their infants can face criminal charges, including murder charges if the infant dies. The bills try to discourage abandonment by providing some kind of legal protection to parents who leave their babies in a designated safe place, such as a hospital.
The specifics vary from State to State regarding the age of the children, the places they can be left, and the extent of protection and anonymity offered to parents. Most of the bills target newborns from up to 3 days old to 1 month old. Some bills would establish a "no questions asked" policy for a baby left in a designated place. Other proposals address such issues as obtaining a baby's medical history and terminating parental rights. Some States would forego prosecution altogether; others would not guarantee immunity but would provide parents with an "affirmative defense" if charges were filed. The bills would not protect parents who have abused or neglected their babies.
Legislative and child welfare professionals can't precisely account for why this particular population of children has entered the legislative limelight, but enactment of legislation in Texas last year along with some highly publicized grassroots initiatives in Mobile, Alabama, and Minneapolis have helped spark interest. The Texas law allows a person who brings a newborn to a designated safe place (hospital, police station, or fire station) to use their action as a defense against prosecution. Texas acted after 13 abandoned babies were found in Houston during a 10-month period in 1999.
The bills have both strong proponents and strong critics among some child-focused groups. Some professionals who are neither for nor against the proposals point out that the underlying premise of the bills has not been researched or evaluated.
The legislation "doesn't address the root causes [of infant abandonment], but maybe some babies [will be] saved," says John Krall, policy analyst for the National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center (AIARC) in Berkeley, California. The Center is part of a training and technical assistance network of Child Welfare Resource Centers supported by the Children's Bureau.
AIARC was legislatively founded by Congress to focus on infants who are abandoned or at risk of abandonment in hospitals primarily for reasons related to parental substance abuse or HIV. Because of the current legislative and media interest, the Center recently has fielded many inquiries about babies abandoned outside of hospitals and is gathering data on the issue.
Interviews and analyses suggest the following issues for policy makers and practitioners to consider when addressing this population:
NCSL has compiled an analysis of State legislation on abandoned infants, including an overview of the pros and cons most often cited by supporters and critics. Visit NCSL online at http://www.ncsl.org or call 303-830-2200.
AIARC has been gathering information on this issue, particularly as it is addressed in the research literature. Visit AIARC online at http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~aiarc or call 510-643-8390.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: News From the Children's Bureau
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=74
States can find help implementing the newly revamped Independent Living Program from the National Resource Center for Youth Development. This Children's Bureau-supported Resource Center provides technical assistance to States, localities, and Tribes in addressing the child welfare needs of youth. Specific resources for independent living programs include:
In March, Center Director Jim Walker talked about foster youths' transitional needs at a national child welfare conference sponsored by the Children's Bureau. He outlined three core philosophies or values important for any successful Independent Living or Transitional Living program:
Walker also spotlighted the following innovative approaches to independent living programs around the country:
Contact:
National Resource Center for Youth Development
University of Oklahoma
College of Continuing Education
4502 E. 41st St.
Tulsa, OK 74135
Tel.: 918-660-3700
Fax: 918-660-3737
Email: hlock@ou.edu
Website: http://www.nrcys.ou.edu/nrcyd.htm
Related Articles
See "Children's Bureau Issues Guidance on New Foster Care Independence Program" in this issue for an article regarding a recently released Federal Information Memorandum on the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program.
See Susan Kellam's article on ideas for implementing the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program at Connect for Kids, an online newsletter published by the Benton Foundation (http://www.connectforkids.org).
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: News From the Children's Bureau
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=75
Visit the newly launched website of the National Resource Center for Information Technology in Child Welfare. The site describes the Center's services and goals and includes conference details, a searchable list of online resources, insights to promising practices, and useful links.
The Center helps State, local, and tribal child welfare agencies, and family and juvenile courts, use automated systems to improve outcomes in the child welfare system.
Requests for on-site training and technical assistance from the National Resource Center for Information Technology in Child Welfare must be submitted through the appropriate Administration for Children and Families (ACF) regional office. Contact the Center directly for any other questions, concerns or comments:
Patrick A. Curtis and Lynda Arnold, Co-Directors
Tom Hay, Project Manager
NRC-ITCW
440 First Street, NW, Suite 310
Washington, DC 20001-2085
Tel.: 202/662-4285
Fax: 202/638-4004
Email: NRCITCW@cwla.org
Website: http://www.nrccwdt.org/
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: News From the Children's Bureau
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=76
April has been designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month by presidential proclamation since 1983. By participating in Child Abuse Prevention Month activities and learning more about the issues, you are exercising your power to prevent child abuse.
During April 2000, public and private agencies, community organizations, volunteers, and concerned citizens combine their strength to highlight the problem of child abuse and to educate the public about how they can prevent it. Communities across the country offer special activities to raise public awareness of child abuse prevention. Activities include fundraisers, such as 5K runs/walks to raise money for child abuse prevention programs, poster/essay contests for children, "Family Day" at local zoos, wearing the blue ribbon, and special conferences by child abuse prevention organizations.
The National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information, sponsored by the Children's Bureau, is among the many entities that are distributing information to commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Month. At the center of the Clearinghouse's 2000 campaign is the new Child Abuse Prevention website (http://www.calib.com/nccanch/prevmnth) (Note: this link is no longer available; however, current child abuse prevention information and resources can be found at http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/topics/prevention/index.cfm). The site, built around the Children's Bureau year 2000 theme “You Have the Power to Prevent Child Abuse,” continues to add enhancements through April. The site features:
The Clearinghouse also is distributing a packet of print products containing a four-color poster to support commemoration efforts. Among other organizations prominently supporting Child Abuse Prevention Month are:
For more information about the Clearinghouse and Children's Bureau Prevention Month activities, contact the Clearinghouse by phone at 800-FYI-3366 or by email at prevent@calib.com.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Spotlight on National Child Abuse Prevention Month
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=52
To help professionals make the case for prevention to funding sources and policy makers, researchers Craig T. Ramey and Sharon L. Ramey of the University of Alabama have posted a comprehensive slide presentation on the Web at http://www.circ.uab.edu/slides.
The Abecedearian Preschool Project, explain the Rameys, was a "randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of a comprehensive early childhood education, healthcare, and family support program . . . . The primary goal of the preschool phase was to enhance school readiness . . . "
At the core of the presentation is the Rameys' thesis: "Many children with learning disabilities and mild mental retardation are being identified too late for optimal treatment. Prevention is a viable strategy."
The project focused on high-risk families characterized by poverty, low maternal IQ and education, single parents, teenage mothers, and other factors. Both the treatment and control groups received assistance with nutrition, medical care, and social services. The treatment group also received an intensive preschool program (full-day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year, for 5 years).
Among their major findings, the Rameys report that the Abecedarian Project had positive effects on children's IQ performance, learning and cognitive performance, and social responsiveness as well as upon maternal education and employment.
The 59 color slides include numerous charts and graphs illustrating the Rameys' findings. Among their recommendations, the Rameys urge policy makers to incorporate recent research-based knowledge into the current system of child protection and advocacy, as well as foster care and adoption.
Contact the Rameys at:
Civitan International Research Center
University of Alabama at Birmingham
1719 6th Ave., South, Suite 137
Birmingham, AL 35294-0021
Tel.: 205-934-8900
Fax: 205-975-6330
Email: cramey@uab.edu
scramey@uab.edu
Website: http://www.circ.uab.edu
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Spotlight on National Child Abuse Prevention Month
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=53
To prevent child abuse and neglect, professionals should work to expand bipartisan advocacy efforts and strengthen the institutional infrastructure that supports prevention programs.
So said speakers at a prevention-focused conference sponsored by the Children's Bureau in March.
The National Prevention Conference for Federally Funded Prevention Programs, held March 8-10 in Alexandria, Virginia, brought together Federal, State, and other professionals responsible for implementing Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Research and Demonstration Projects administered by the Children's Bureau.
At a March 9 session, leaders of national prevention-focused groups shared their ideas for promoting prevention among elected officials, policy makers, and communities at large. Key points made by the speakers included the following:
To learn more about prevention, visit the new "Power of Prevention" website launched by the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information at http://www.calib.com/nccanch/prevention. (Note: the "Power of Prevention" link is no longer available; child abuse prevention information and resources can be found at http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/topics/prevention/index.cfm.) To learn more about Children's Bureau programs, visit http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/programs_fund/index.htm To learn more about the groups represented by the panelists at the conference session discussed in this article, see the contact information, below.
National Alliance of Children's Trust and Prevention Funds (ACT)
Department of Psychology
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1117
PHONE: (517) 432-5096
FAX: (517) 432-2476
EMAIL: millsda@pilot.msu.edu
URL: http://www.msu.edu/user/millsda/
The mission of the National Alliance is to build and maintain a system of services, laws, practices, and attitudes that prevent child abuse and neglect. The Alliance assists Children's Trust and Prevention Funds at the State and national levels.
Parents Anonymous, Inc.
675 W. Foothill Blvd., Suite 220
Claremont, CA 91711
PHONE: (909) 621-6184
FAX: (909) 625-6304
EMAIL: parentsanon@msn.com
URL: http://www.parentsanonymous.org
Parents Anonymous encourages all parents to ask for help early to effectively break the cycle of abuse. To ensure accessibility to all community members, Parents Anonymous groups meet in local community centers, churches, schools, housing projects, shelters, and prisons. Parents Anonymous also operates local 24-hour hotlines to provide an immediate response to parents seeking help.
Prevent Child Abuse America
200 S. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604-2404
PHONE: (800) CHILDREN or (312)663-3520
FAX: (312) 939-8962
EMAIL: mailbox@preventchildabuse.org
URL: http://preventchildabuse.org
Prevent Child Abuse America promotes healthy parenting and community involvement as effective strategies for preventing all forms of child abuse. The organization's nationwide network of chapters and local affiliates work to implement direct service programs in hundreds of communities.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Spotlight on National Child Abuse Prevention Month
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=54
"Prevention is kind of an abstract idea if you don't put a human face on it," says Teresa Rafael, vice president of Parents Anonymous, Inc, a panelist at the National Prevention Conference for Federally Funded Prevention Programs sponsored by the Children's Bureau in March. She offers the following key principles for "operationalizing" prevention.
Contact Rafael at
Parents Anonymous, Inc.
675 W. Foothill Blvd., Suite 220
Claremont, CA 91711
PHONE: (909) 621-6184
FAX: (909) 625-6304
EMAIL: parentsanon@msn.com
URL: http://www.parentsanonymous.org
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Spotlight on National Child Abuse Prevention Month
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=55
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has revised its guidelines for preventive pediatric health care to address violence prevention and published its recommendations in the March 2000 edition of AAP's journal, Pediatrics.
The new guidelines for violence prevention assessment and counseling are included in the category of "anticipatory guidance." AAP's revised guidelines recommend that violence prevention assessment accompany routine developmental and physical assessments, beginning before birth and continuing through adolescence.
The recommendations are based on a policy statement on the role of pediatricians in preventing youth violence that was published in the January 1999 issue of Pediatrics. The statement addressed the threats that domestic violence, child abuse, and other forms of violence pose to children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
"Because many pediatricians encounter children and youth who are experiencing or are at risk for violence, pediatricians are well situated to intervene," the statement says.
The guidelines include advice to give parents during all developmental stages for nurturing and limit setting. They also recommend focusing on the following areas for violence-related assessment and screening:
When any of the above risk factors are identified, pediatricians should be prepared to provide referrals to necessary intervention and follow-up services, such as child welfare agencies, mental health services, domestic violence counseling, substance abuse treatment, or high-risk youth services. The policy statement also recommends that pediatricians set clinical practice guidelines, advocate for violence prevention at the local and national level, enhance education for medical students and practicing pediatricians, and contribute to research for prevention and management of youth violence.
The January 1999 AAP policy statement on "The Role of the Pediatrician in Youth Violence Prevention in Clinical Practice and at the Community Level" is available online at: http://www.aap.org/policy/re9832.html.
The revised March 2000 AAP Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care, containing violence prevention guidelines, are available online at http://www.aap.org/policy/re9535.html.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Spotlight on National Child Abuse Prevention Month
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=56
Frequently Asked Questions About the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, by the National Foster Care Awareness Project, is the first publication in a series focusing on this new legislation and how to maximize support for young people transitioning from foster care.
The overview of the Foster Care Independence Act discusses Title 1 of the Act, which addresses provisions for youth leaving foster care. A chart compares provisions of the Former Independent Living Initiative with its replacement, the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. Specific areas that are addressed are:
This publication also summarizes the minimum components required in each State's 5-year plan, as mandated by the new law. Appendices include the National Foster Care Awareness Project members, Title 1 of the Foster Care Independence Act, and a letter to State Medicaid Directors from the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA).
The National Foster Care Awareness Project is a coalition of 19 foundations, national organizations, public and private agencies, and corporations. The report is available online through the Benton Foundation website at: http://www.connectforkids.org/usr_doc/FAQsbooklet.pdf
Related Article
See "Children's Bureau Issues Guidance on New Foster Care Independence Program" in this issue of the CB Express for an article about a Federal Information Memorandum on this law.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Child Welfare News
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=51
States continue to grapple with how best to comply with "Megan's Law." This Federal law enacted in 1996 requires States to implement sex offender registration and notification requirements. States are required to release any relevant information about registered sex offenders necessary to maintain and protect public safety. Megan's Law also allows disclosure of information collected under a State registration program for any purpose permitted under State laws.
Under such guidelines, States retain significant discretion to determine the circumstances under which the disclosure of registration information to the public is necessary. A variety of approaches among the States has emerged, ranging from total disclosure on the Internet (including names, addresses, photos), to a more limited notification (such as allowing people to come to a police station to view a CD-ROM containing the information).
Proponents of disseminating information on sex offenders through the Internet give the following reasons:
Opponents of disseminating the information through the Internet give the following reasons:
Currently, 74 government agencies in 25 States disseminate sex offender information on the Internet, and proposals are being considered in a number of other States. APBnews.com (http://www.apbnews.com), a national, daily news service, maintains a database (http://www.apbnews.com/resourcecenter/sexoffender/index.html) with links to the sex offender sites and a synopsis of the information found at each site. (Editor's note: these links are no longer active.) A link to recent APBnews.com sex offender news coverage, with details about registries in the States, is included with the database.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Child Welfare News
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=72
On Feb. 29, Deputy Attorney General Eric H. Holder announced grant awards to address the needs of children exposed to violence. "Children exposed to violence are more likely to become violent themselves, regardless of whether they were victimized directly or indirectly, by witnessing violence," said Holder. "These grants will enable communities to intervene early to protect children exposed to violence from further violence and provide them with the treatment they need for recovery."
The nine sites selected for the first year of a 66-month program period are:
Through the Safe Start grants, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will award approximately $670,000 each year. Grantees will initially use funds to review existing community services and gaps that need to be filled, followed by planning a 5-year comprehensive response. Interventions will include child advocacy centers, home visitation programs, and domestic violence services for battered mothers whose children are at a high risk of exposure to violence.
Additionally, OJJDP awarded $670,000 to each of three sites--Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; and Newark, NJ--for a 2-year period to focus on specific improvements to services for children exposed to violence. The National Center for Children Exposed to Violence in New Haven, Connecticut, will work with OJJDP to provide training and technical support to the Safe Start sites.
The Safe Start Initiative, part of a larger Children Exposed to Violence Initiative launched in December 1998, is partly based on the Child Development-Community Policing Program (http://info.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/CDCP), funded by OJJDP. This pilot program, developed by Yale University and the New Haven Connecticut Police Department, brings police officers and mental health professionals together to provide constructive intervention for child violent crime victims and witnesses.
A list of the Safe Start grantees is available online at http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/about/press/ojp000229b.html (Editor's note: this link is no longer available).
Related article
See "Insights on Violence and Children" in this issue to read about an interview with the director of the Child Witness to Violence Project at Boston Medical Center.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Child Welfare News
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=73
An article in the February issue (v. 154, no. 2) of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine examines the association between father involvement and child neglect. The researchers focused on 244 low-income, urban, African American 5-year-olds, their mothers, and their fathers or father figures. The group was recruited from a population defined to be at high-risk for neglect. The study methodology included interviews with mothers and fathers, videotapes of parent-child interactions, home visits, and written questionnaires. Among their conclusions, the authors found that a father's presence alone does not significantly influence child neglect, but that the nature of paternal involvement did--fathers who felt more effective as parents were less likely to have neglected their children.
The articles authors are Howard Dubowitz, MD; Maureen M. Black, Ph.D.; Mia A. Kerr, MS; Raymond H. Starr Jr., Ph.D.; Donna Harrington, Ph.D. The research was funded by a grant from the Children's Bureau.
The complete article is available online to paid subscribers of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and to all American Medical Association members by registering at http://pubs.ama-assn.org/register.html.
For bulk reprint orders for distribution by commercial organizations, contact Wanda Bartolotta, 500 Fifth Ave, #2210, New York, NY 10110. Phone: (212) 354-0050. Fax: (212) 354-1169. Email: wanda_bartolotta@ama-assn.org. For reprint orders in limited quantities for distribution by education organizations and for author reprints, contact Author Reprints, 515 N State St, Chicago, IL, 60610. Phone: (312) 464-4594. Fax: (312) 464-4849.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Child Welfare News
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=77
Following are short summaries of current congressional bills of interest to professionals working in child abuse and neglect, child welfare, and adoption. To learn more about any of these bills, visit Thomas, a service of the Library of Congress, at http://thomas.loc.gov.
Expanding Title IV-E to Indian Tribes. S.1478.
This bill would amend part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of Title IV of the Social Security Act to provide Federal foster care maintenance payments to qualifying Indian tribal plans designed for foster and adoptive care of an Indian child. The bill also would set parameters within which programs operated by Indian tribal organizations would be eligible for Federal payments for foster care and adoption assistance, including Federal medical assistance.
Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Finance.
Adopted Orphans. S. 1485.
The Adopted Orphans Citizenship Act, would confer U.S. citizenship automatically and retroactively to the date of birth when a foreign-born child is adopted by a U.S. family. The legislation would eliminate the naturalization process that currently must follow the adoption process. S. 1485 was passed by the Senate on October 26, 1999, and referred to the House,
A related bill, Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (H.R. 3667) was introduced in the House in February. H.R. 3667 expands S. 1485 by adding provisions that would confer U.S. citizenship automatically to children born abroad to Americans.
Status: S. 1485 and H.R. 3667 are now before the House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.
Adoption Assistance Act. H.R. 2733 and S. 2227.
These nearly identical bills are both titled "Federal Employee Adoption Assistance Act." The bills would provide reimbursement to Federal employees of up to $2,000 in adoption expenses per adopted child. Qualifying expenses include adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, and other expenses.
Status: S. 2227 was referred in March to the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs. H.R. 2733 was referred last August to the House Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Civil Service.
Implementation of the Hague Convention. H.R. 2909.
The Intercountry Adoption Act of 1999 would implement the Hague Convention on intercountry adoption.
Status: The bill has passed the House Committee on International Relations and awaits action by the full House. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to mark up the bill this month.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Child Welfare News
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=79
For insights into the way in which one State is dealing with the issue of licensing child welfare employees, visit http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/licenprog.htm (Editor's note: this link is no longer available). The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has developed a Child Welfare Employee Licensure Guide, available online in PDF format. The guide is a self-study tool to help child welfare professionals in Illinois prepare for the newly required Child Welfare Service Employee (CWSE) License.
Along with information specific to Illinois, the guide includes broadly applicable information about pertinent Federal laws, history of child welfare, human behavior and development, and child welfare practices.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Strategies and Tools for Practice
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=64
The first of a set of four videos addressing permanency for children in the child welfare system has been released by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
The free video, "Introduction to Mediation, Family Group Conferencing, and Concurrent Planning: Pathways to Permanence" provides an overview of each of these innovations aimed at achieving permanency for children in the child welfare system. Each of the topics will be the subject of separate videos slated for release this summer.
The video is designed to
The 30-minute video, produced by Courter Films & Associates, is intended for child welfare workers, court personnel, policy makers, and other professionals and groups concerned with the well-being of children. The video features judges, social workers, attorneys, program innovators, court workers, and children who have spent a decade in the children welfare system.
Contact:
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
P.O. Box 7164
Dublin, OH 43017
Tel.: 614-764-3009
Fax: 614-764-6707
Email: gaycfa@xtalwind.net
Website: http://www.davethomasfoundationforadoption.org/Finding_Forever_Families_Video.asp
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Strategies and Tools for Practice
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=66
The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) has released best practice guidelines for treating individuals affected by both substance abuse and child abuse and neglect. CSAT is an agency of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons With Child Abuse and Neglect Issues examines substance abuse treatment for:
The publication includes:
The manual also provides background information and statistics on child abuse and neglect; a review of literature documenting links between childhood abuse and subsequent substance abuse; and a discussion of continuing and emerging trends, such as fast-track adoption and welfare reform. Appendices include an extensive bibliography, legal advice on protecting clients' privacy, implications of recent Federal legislation for clients in treatment, sources for screening and assessment tools, organizations related to childhood trauma among adults, resource panelists, and field reviewers.
This document is #36 in CSAT's Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) series.
Order a free, print copy of the document from SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI), 800-729-6686 or TDD (for hearing impaired) 800-487-4889.
Access the entire TIP series online via the National Library of Medicine's website at http://text.nlm.nih.gov or NCADI's website at http://www.health.org/catalog/catalog.asp?key=44.
Related Item
A related 1999 Department of Health and Human Services report to Congress entitled Blending Perspectives and Building Common Ground addresses substance abuse and its relationship to child maltreatment. The text of the report is available online at http://aspe.hss.gov/hsp/subabuse99/subabuse.htm. Free print copies are available from the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information (http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov), 800-FYI-3366.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Resources
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=57
The Winter 1999 issue of The Future of Children, published by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, focuses on children who are exposed to domestic violence.
The editor, Richard E. Behrman, states that the purpose of this issue is "encouraging informed debate about domestic violence and children." The 10 articles in this issue analyze the current research regarding the prevalence and effects of child exposure to domestic violence (defined here as violence between adult intimate partners) and other forms of violence, describe legislative and service system responses to families struggling with domestic violence, and suggest strategies for improving intervention and prevention programs.
In the article entitled "Analysis and Recommendations," the authors synthesize the literature on child exposure to domestic violence and note the need for new research and improvements in interventions. Their position is that exposure of children to domestic violence can have significant negative effects on their emotional, social, and cognitive development. Their list of recommendations include:
An executive summary and the complete edition of Domestic Violence and Children are available online at http://www.futureofchildren.org/homepage2824/archive.htm
To order a free print copy, contact the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Circulation Department, 300 Second Street, Suite 102, Los Altos, CA 94022, phone: 650-948-7658, fax: 650-948-6498, Email: circulation@futureofchildren.org.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Resources
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=59
For an expert's insights into the effects that violence can have on children, read an interview by Caitlin Johnson with Betsy McAlister Groves, director of the Child Witness to Violence Project at Boston Medical Center in the Connect for Kids electronic newsletter.
In the interview, Groves shared the following observations:
Groves's program provides counseling, advocacy, and outreach services children age 8 or younger who have witnessed violence, particularly family violence. The interview includes links to resources for additional information and assistance. The interview is posted at http://www.connectforkids.org/content1552/ content_show.htm?amp;attrib_id=311&doc_id=26600. Or, visit the home page http://www.connectforkids.org and scroll through the annotated list of stories.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Resources
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=60
Parent educators and others who work with families have a new resource for Latino families with young children. Project Family, which provides services for low-income, predominantly Latino families with young children, has created a group of songs, rhymes, and fingerplays for parents, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers enrolled in their Developmental Playgroups.
One of the playgroup educators, Nancy Newman, has translated traditional American songs, rhymes, and fingerplays into Spanish and translated several popular Latin American folk songs for children into English. She also has written the lyrics for a song set to the tune of "The Bear Went Over the Mountain," entitled "Dinosaurios/Dinosaurs." The songs not only are fun, but also expose families and young children to American culture. They are organized into the following sections:
A selection of the Developmental Playgroup's favorite songs, rhymes, and fingerplays is available through the website of Zero to Three at http://www.zerotothree.org/0-3.pdf.
Project Family is a member of Zero to Three (http://www.zerotothree.org), a national, non-profit organization located in Washington, DC, dedicated to advancing the healthy development of babies and young children.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Resources
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=62
Foundations for Success: Strengthening Your Agency Attorney Office. Edited by Mimi Laver and Claire Sandt. American Bar Association's Center for Children and the Law. 1999. 90 pages. $14.95
A new book from the American Bar Association's (ABA's) Center on Children and the Law offers how-to's for child welfare agency lawyers who want to provide more efficient and more effective representation.
Foundations for Success: Strengthening Your Agency Attorney Office provides practical advice on such topics as:
Appendices address such issues as how to avoid professional burnout, useful websites, and commonly used forms.
To order a copy, contact:
ABA Center for Children and the Law
740 15th St., NW, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20005-1009
Tel.: 202-662-1746
Fax: 202-662-1755
Website: http://www.abanet.org/child/books.shtml
Order number 549-0111
For more information on the Center for Children and the Law, operated by the American Bar Association, call Mimi Laver, Assistant Director for Child Welfare, 202-662-1736 or visit the Center's website at http://www.abanet.org/child.
ADVOCASEY. Fall 1999/Winter 2000. Vol. 1, Number 3. The Annie E. Casey Foundation.
The Fall 1999/Winter 2000 issue of AdvoCasey, features three articles on child-welfare policy and practice --"More Foster Families, Fewer Children Entering Care: Rebuilding Family Foster Care in Cuyahoga and Anne Arundel Counties," "The Graduates: The Casey Family Services Alumni Study," and "Reforming Child Welfare," a commentary by Casey Foundation President Douglas Nelson. The issue also includes reports on effective approaches to youth violence and juvenile justice. The issue is available online at http://www.aecf.org/publcations/advocasey/winter2000/index.htm
To obtain a free print copy, contact:
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
701 St. Paul St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
Tel.: 410-547-6600
Fax: 410-547-6624
Email: webmail@aecf.org
Website: http://www.aecf.org
Protecting Children. 1999, Vol 15, Number 3/4. American Humane Association. Quarterly.
This issue of Protecting Children is devoted to evaluation and assessment strategies to improve outcomes in child welfare services. The American Humane Association's (AHA's) partners prepared the articles. According to Paul DiLorenzo, Director of AHA's Children's Division, AHA's partner agencies "have taken the initiative to explore creative ways to blend best practice and outcome measurement." An article by Charles Usher, a social work professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, reviews how the design and execution of evaluations have progressed from social experiments in the 1960s to reform initiatives today. Kutzler, Kuna, and Nowak from the Philadelphia Department of Human Services recount the history of outcomes development in their city. Alsop and Winterfeld provide a chart of core children's services outcome indicators to measure performance based on the Casey Outcomes and Decision Making Project, a consortium of national organizations. Pamela Day discusses her work with the Child Welfare League of America in developing a practice guide for assessment in child protection and child welfare. An article by Brittain and Klein-Rothschild, examines the lessons learned from a 17-State survey of new child welfare staff trained on statewide, automated child welfare information systems (SACWIS).
To order a copy ($11, including shipping and handling), contact:
American Humane Association, Children's Division
63 Inverness Drive East
Englewood, CO 80112-5117
Tel: 800-227-4645
Fax: 303-792-5333
Website: http://www.americanhumane.org
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Resources
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=63
According to a report issued in March by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, poverty is especially serious for Latino children. Latino children represent more than one-fourth (28.5%) of all children in the United States living in poverty. Among children younger than 18, one-third of Latino children (34%) are poor, compared with 11 percent of non-Hispanic white children. Among the different subgroups, the poverty rate for Latino children in 1998 ranged from 44 percent for Puerto Ricans to 17 percent for Cubans.
Besides poverty, the report covers population characteristics for the Hispanic population in the United States with regard to the following areas:
General population statistics show that Latinos make up 12 percent of the total U.S. population or 32 million. In an ethnic comparison, people of Mexican heritage make up the largest group (65%), followed by Central and South American (14%), Puerto Rican (10%), Cuban (4%), and other Hispanic backgrounds (7%).
Hispanic Population in the United States: March 1999 is available in English or Spanish, along with other related information, from the website of the U.S. Bureau of the Census (http://www.census.gov/populatino/www/socdemo/hispanic.html).
A related publication in English and Spanish, entitled Latinos and Child Welfare, published in 1997 by the National Latino Child Welfare Advocacy Group, is available at no charge from the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information (http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov), 800-394-3366.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Resources
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=65
Emerging research in neuroscience points to the first 3 years of life as crucial to a child's healthy physical, emotional, and intellectual development. The new "BrainWonders" website, sponsored by Zero to Three, serves as a resource for parents, caregivers, and pediatric/family clinicians on early brain development.
A glossary, featured on this site, defines the parts of the brain and stages in brain development. It also defines processes to measure the brain, such as brain imaging and the electroencephalogram (EEG). Some interesting definitions are:
The BrainWonders glossary is available online at http://www.zerotothree.org/brainwonders/glossary-body.html
Zero to Three (http://www.zerotothree.org) is a national, non-profit organization located in Washington, DC, dedicated solely to advancing the healthy development of babies and young children.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Resources
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=67
Mark April 30, 2000, as a special day to celebrate and uplift America's children. Based on the traditional observance of children's days in Latin American and other countries, Congress has taken the first steps toward recognizing the day as a national holiday to coincide with similar celebrations in countries of the Western Hemisphere.
"El Día de los Niños (Children's Day): Celebrating Young Americans" recognizes Latino children in particular, who are the second largest group of children in the nation according to the Census Bureau. Last year, the National Latino Children's Institute worked with 29 communities around the country to organize El Día de los Niños celebrations for children and their families. The range of activities promoting children's well-being included parades, book festivals, health fairs, resolutions passed by local governments, and milagros exhibits--handmade ornaments reflecting children's wishes, hopes, and dreams for the future.
The U.S. Senate has twice passed a resolution designating April 30 as "Día de los Niños." A resolution must be passed four times for an observation to be recognized as a national holiday.
See Thomas, a service of the Library of Congress, for a copy of the Senate Resolution, S. RES. 90 (http://thomas.loc.gov). For more information about El Día de los Niños, visit the website of the National Latino Children's Institute (http://www.nlci.org). Contact NLCI staff for assistance in starting an event to celebrate this day at 512-472-9971 or nlci@nlci.org.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Resources
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=69
A new federally sponsored website offers up-to-date information for children with disabilities and their families. The website, http://www.childrenwithdisabilities.ncjrs.org (Editor's note: this link is no longer available), is an initiative by the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to promote a national agenda for children and foster positive youth development. The Council's nine participating Federal agencies and offices are:
The Children with Disabilities site includes information on advocacy, education, employment, health, housing, recreation, technical assistance, and transportation covering a broad array of developmental, physical, and emotional disabilities. The site provides links to organizations offering support and technical assistance to families and professionals concerning children with learning disabilities, mental health problems, and physical disabilities.
The site also provides assistance for children whose healthy development is threatened by social factors, such as poverty and abuse, and resources on the adoption of children with disabilities. The National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information (http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov) is listed as a link under "Federal Resources" and featured under "Calendar of Events" for its Conference Calendar.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Resources
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=81
Child welfare professionals have a new opportunity to obtain training in cultural competency. The organization Black Administrators in Child Welfare (BACW) has developed a 4-day seminar for human services staff titled "A Journey Toward Cultural Competence." The training, designed for groups of 15 to 25 employees, focuses on the following areas:
Each day of the seminar can be presented as a separate module. For information, visit BACW's website at http://www.blackadministrators.org or contact either of the following individuals:
Joyce Johnson
Tel.: 202-942-0244
Fax: 202-638-4004
Email: jjohnson@cwla.org
Julyette Berry
Tel. and Fax: 202-529-4675
Email: jeberry@bellatlantic.net
BACW also will assess agencies for their current level of cultural competence and make recommendations for improvements. The comprehensive assessment includes:
For more information, call 202-529-4675 or visit the BACW website.
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Training and Conferences
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=58
For an online training on child death review teams, visit http:/www.broacast.com/healthfitness/ican. The March 23 satellite telecast was simultaneously broadcast over the Internet by Yahoo!Broadcast and will remain online through June 21. The event was sponsored by the Los Angeles County Interagency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (ICAN) and the National Center on Child Fatality Review (NCFR).
The 2-hour training featured the Los Angeles Child Death Review team discussing several fictitious cases. The panel fielded calls from participants at sites around the country. The event also included short, videotaped presentations on forensic pathology, collection of evidence, and grief and mourning. The team includes representatives from the county's law enforcement, coroner's, child protective services, health, and district attorney's offices.
To view the presentation, you will need a computer equipped with speakers and a sound card. The site provides additional information about necessary equipment. Note: The site walks you through the downloading process, but you still might need help from your organization's information technology department.
Related Item
The American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law's Child Fatality Project has produced an annotated bibliography of more than 230 books, articles, forms and reports related to the work being done throughout the country by State and local child death review teams. A Selective Annotated Bibliography of Resource Materials for Child Fatality Review Teams: Where to Go for What You Need to Know includes sections on causes of death and serious injury; child abuse and neglect; review team establishment and operation; published reports; confidentiality and records access; data; death certificates; and much more. Many of the entries in the 104-page book include contact information. Cost: $12. Order online at http://www.abanet.org/child/books.shtml or contact the Center at:
ABA Center for Children and the Law
740 15th St., NW, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20005-1009
Tel.: 202-662-1746
Fax: 202-662-1755
Issue Date:
04 2000
Section: Training and Conferences
URL: http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=4&articleid=78
Child Welfare Information Gateway
www.childwelfare.gov
800.394.3366
Children's Bureau, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW, Eighth Floor
Washington, DC 20024
EMAIL: cb_express@childwelfare.gov