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== Introduction == |
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Under normal circumstances, the American Child Welfare System is considered by experts to be underfunded <ref>{{Cite web|title=Federal Foster Care Financing: How and Why the Current Funding Structure Fails to Meet the Needs of the Child Welfare Field|url=https://aspe.hhs.gov/report/federal-foster-care-financing-how-and-why-current-funding-structure-fails-meet-needs-child-welfare-field|date=2016-12-08|website=ASPE|language=en|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> and strains social workers with high case loads |
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⚫ | Under normal circumstances, the American Child Welfare System is considered by experts to be underfunded <ref>{{Cite web|title=Federal Foster Care Financing: How and Why the Current Funding Structure Fails to Meet the Needs of the Child Welfare Field|url=https://aspe.hhs.gov/report/federal-foster-care-financing-how-and-why-current-funding-structure-fails-meet-needs-child-welfare-field|date=2016-12-08|website=ASPE|language=en|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> and strains social workers with high case loads.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Caseload and Workload Management|url=https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/case_work_management.pdf|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> However, during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, the United States experienced an unprecedented lockdown <ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-03-31|title=Three out of four Americans under virus lockdown|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52103066|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> and national unemployment reached a record high.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Unemployment rate soars to 14.7 percent, highest level since the Great Depression|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/u-s-economy-shed-record-20-5-million-jobs-last-n1202696|website=NBC News|language=en|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> This presents the current issue because, it's well recorded that during times of economic stress, child abuse skyrockets.<ref>{{Cite news|title=What the Economic Downturn Means for Children, Youth, and Families|language=en|work=https://www.apa.org|url=https://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/economy|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> |
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⚫ |
A prime example of this occurred in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, whose already witnessed a major uptick in abuse rates. Six children, all under the age of 4, were physically abused, as reported by Cook |
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⚫ | A prime example of this occurred in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, whose already witnessed a major uptick in abuse rates. Six children, all under the age of 4, were physically abused, as reported by Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth. Doctors believe all of these cases were driven by coronavirus related stress.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fort Worth Hospital Sees Spike in Severe Child Abuse Cases Over Last Week|url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-hospital-sees-spike-in-severe-child-abuse-cases-over-last-week/2336014/|website=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> In the age of COVID-19, where families were locked inside their homes, human contact was limited, and courts closed, the United States witnessed an aggressive upsurge in child abuse rates as a result of several systematic flaws. |
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== Impacts on System == |
== Impacts on System == |
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=== Impacts on Identification === |
=== Impacts on Identification === |
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Identifying and reporting child maltreatment is the first step to all child welfare systems |
Identifying and reporting child maltreatment is the first step to all child welfare systems.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What Is Prevention and Why Is It Important? - Child Welfare Information Gateway|url=https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/overview/whatiscap/|website=www.childwelfare.gov|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> It's how the child's mistreatment comes to the attention of authorities and, from there, action is taken. One of the biggest mechanisms the system has traditionally relied on has been mandatory reporters, such as teachers, law enforcement, and health care professionals. A child's regular contact with their community has been relied on for individuals to be able to identify and report abuse. Upon the national quarantine, less cases began to be reported. An illustration of this may be seen in the US Midwest. Illinois’ abuse hotline receives about 950 calls a day, approximately 6,650 a week. After Governor Pritzker closed schools, that number dropped by 45% within the week.<ref>{{Cite web|title=With no school, calls drop but child abuse hasn’t amid virus|url=https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/with-no-school-calls-drop-but-child-abuse-hasnt-amid-virus/|date=2020-04-18|website=CIProud.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> |
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These problems stemming from closures is not limited to America. In England, Anne Longfield, the |
These problems stemming from closures is not limited to America. In England, Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner for England, estimated that over 2.3 million minors in England are currently high-risk for abuse and unable to access social services as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.<ref>{{Cite news|last=correspondent|first=Peter Walker Political|date=2017-07-03|title=Millions of children in England growing up in high risk environments|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jul/04/millions-of-children-in-england-growing-up-in-high-risk-environments|access-date=2020-05-10|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> |
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=== Lack of Youth Resources === |
=== Lack of Youth Resources === |
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Outside of the child welfare system, another crucial element that contributes to offsetting child neglect is that schools continue to be some of the only places many youth receive mental-health help, physical activity, nourishment and clean water |
Outside of the child welfare system, another crucial element that contributes to offsetting child neglect is that schools continue to be some of the only places many youth receive mental-health help, physical activity, nourishment and clean water.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=The Kids Aren’t All Right|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/03/what-coronavirus-will-do-kids/608608/|last=II|first=Vann R. Newkirk|date=2020-03-24|website=The Atlantic|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> More than six million students across 11,000 American schools are the primary provider of critical services and, until now, relied on schools for those resources.<ref name=":0" /> |
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=== Impacts on the Investigation Process === |
=== Impacts on the Investigation Process === |
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The next step in child welfare is investigating and intervening. Our current foster care system operates on worker mobility, human contact and the frequent movement of children |
The next step in child welfare is investigating and intervening. Our current foster care system operates on worker mobility, human contact and the frequent movement of children.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Does the Foster System Work in the USA?|url=https://adoption.org/foster-system-work-usa|website=Adoption.org|language=en|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> However, with that movement grinding to a halt after the lockdown, caseworkers are limited in their ability to monitor and investigate potential cases of abuse.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Service Workers Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19|url=http://www.socialserviceworkforce.org/resources/blog/social-service-workers-mitigating-impact-covid-19|last=Brown|first=Nicole|date=2020-05-07|website=Global Social Service Workforce Alliance|language=en|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> |
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The US |
The US Children's Bureau evaluated alternatives to caseworker inspections, while many state and local governments began limiting or canceling abuse allegation investigations.<ref name="Writer">{{Cite web|title=Pandemic sparks concerns about child abuse in Maine|url=https://www.pressherald.com/2020/04/05/pandemic-sparks-concerns-about-child-abuse-in-maine/|last=Writer|first=Penelope OvertonStaff|date=2020-04-05|website=Press Herald|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> One of the most extreme measures was Maine's Office of Child and Family Services suspending all caseworker home visits;<ref name="Writer"/> many agencies and social workers were worried about contracting or transmitting the virus and as a result they conducted investigations from the front doors of homes or over video chats.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What COVID-19 means for America’s child welfare system|url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/what-covid-19-means-for-americas-child-welfare-system/|last=Haskins|first=Morgan Welch and Ron|date=2020-04-30|website=Brookings|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> |
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=== Impacts on Housing and Visitation === |
=== Impacts on Housing and Visitation === |
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Another element of this is the housing of children already in foster care. Major cities around the world witnessed a serious contraction in available foster housing because many foster parents and facilities are typically run by older individuals, |
Another element of this is the housing of children already in foster care. Major cities around the world witnessed a serious contraction in available foster housing because many foster parents and facilities are typically run by older individuals,.<ref>{{Cite web|title=COVID-19 Worsens Severe Shortage of Homes for SLO County Children in Foster Care|url=https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Social-Services/News/COVID-19-Worsens-Severe-Shortage-of-Homes-for-SLO|website=www.slocounty.ca.gov|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> In-person visitations between family members during a separation is recognized as important for both the parent(s) and the child; however, similar to home inspections, separated families transitioned to virtual visitations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Parents of foster children lose what that keeps them connected: In-person visits|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-child-welfare/2020/04/28/arizonas-foster-care-system-virtual-visits-replace-parent-visits/5148618002/|website=Arizona Republic|language=en|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> |
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=== Impacts on Family Courts === |
=== Impacts on Family Courts === |
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One of the final steps in a child welfare case is courts establishing a long-term solvency plan. This could include a variety of solutions from reunification to the revocation of custody, all dependent on the individualized case. However, because of the long-term impacts of this final step, during COVID-19 experts have worried about the legal backlog and pileup. Children currently in foster care (and any children taken under lockdown) because of alleged abuse or neglect now await trial. Many legal institutions across the world are closing their doors because of COVID-19 and many are pushing trial and meeting dates back indefinitely |
One of the final steps in a child welfare case is courts establishing a long-term solvency plan. This could include a variety of solutions from reunification to the revocation of custody, all dependent on the individualized case. However, because of the long-term impacts of this final step, during COVID-19 experts have worried about the legal backlog and pileup. Children currently in foster care (and any children taken under lockdown) because of alleged abuse or neglect now await trial. Many legal institutions across the world are closing their doors because of COVID-19 and many are pushing trial and meeting dates back indefinitely.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Most courts closed due to coronavirus — but not those that serve high-risk populations|url=https://www.vox.com/identities/2020/3/16/21182046/courts-disability-immigration-coronavirus|last=Kim|first=Catherine|date=2020-03-16|website=Vox|language=en|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> A prime example of this is in Los Angeles County, one of the largest counties in the United States, where all non-essential work was suspended, including family courts.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LA Superior Court Delays Trials, Non-Essential Matters for Another 30 Days|url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/la-superior-court-delays-trials-non-essential-matters-for-another-30-days/2347034/|website=NBC Los Angeles|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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[[Category:Foster care in the United States]] |
[[Category:Foster care in the United States]] |
This article is an orphan, as no other articles link to it. Please introduce links to this page from related articles; try the Find link tool for suggestions. (June 2020)
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Under normal circumstances, the American Child Welfare System is considered by experts to be underfunded [1] and strains social workers with high case loads.[2] However, during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, the United States experienced an unprecedented lockdown [3] and national unemployment reached a record high.[4] This presents the current issue because, it's well recorded that during times of economic stress, child abuse skyrockets.[5]
A prime example of this occurred in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, whose already witnessed a major uptick in abuse rates. Six children, all under the age of 4, were physically abused, as reported by Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth. Doctors believe all of these cases were driven by coronavirus related stress.[6] In the age of COVID-19, where families were locked inside their homes, human contact was limited, and courts closed, the United States witnessed an aggressive upsurge in child abuse rates as a result of several systematic flaws.
Identifying and reporting child maltreatment is the first step to all child welfare systems.[7] It's how the child's mistreatment comes to the attention of authorities and, from there, action is taken. One of the biggest mechanisms the system has traditionally relied on has been mandatory reporters, such as teachers, law enforcement, and health care professionals. A child's regular contact with their community has been relied on for individuals to be able to identify and report abuse. Upon the national quarantine, less cases began to be reported. An illustration of this may be seen in the US Midwest. Illinois’ abuse hotline receives about 950 calls a day, approximately 6,650 a week. After Governor Pritzker closed schools, that number dropped by 45% within the week.[8]
These problems stemming from closures is not limited to America. In England, Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner for England, estimated that over 2.3 million minors in England are currently high-risk for abuse and unable to access social services as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.[9]
Outside of the child welfare system, another crucial element that contributes to offsetting child neglect is that schools continue to be some of the only places many youth receive mental-health help, physical activity, nourishment and clean water.[10] More than six million students across 11,000 American schools are the primary provider of critical services and, until now, relied on schools for those resources.[10]
The next step in child welfare is investigating and intervening. Our current foster care system operates on worker mobility, human contact and the frequent movement of children.[11] However, with that movement grinding to a halt after the lockdown, caseworkers are limited in their ability to monitor and investigate potential cases of abuse.[12]
The US Children's Bureau evaluated alternatives to caseworker inspections, while many state and local governments began limiting or canceling abuse allegation investigations.[13] One of the most extreme measures was Maine's Office of Child and Family Services suspending all caseworker home visits;[13] many agencies and social workers were worried about contracting or transmitting the virus and as a result they conducted investigations from the front doors of homes or over video chats.[14]
Another element of this is the housing of children already in foster care. Major cities around the world witnessed a serious contraction in available foster housing because many foster parents and facilities are typically run by older individuals,.[15] In-person visitations between family members during a separation is recognized as important for both the parent(s) and the child; however, similar to home inspections, separated families transitioned to virtual visitations.[16]
One of the final steps in a child welfare case is courts establishing a long-term solvency plan. This could include a variety of solutions from reunification to the revocation of custody, all dependent on the individualized case. However, because of the long-term impacts of this final step, during COVID-19 experts have worried about the legal backlog and pileup. Children currently in foster care (and any children taken under lockdown) because of alleged abuse or neglect now await trial. Many legal institutions across the world are closing their doors because of COVID-19 and many are pushing trial and meeting dates back indefinitely.[17] A prime example of this is in Los Angeles County, one of the largest counties in the United States, where all non-essential work was suspended, including family courts.[18]
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