UNIT 3.1-3.6

family conditions

situations, circumstances, and behaviors that are particular to a family

-underlying factors that contribute to the family’s overall well-being (ex: economic stability, social support, access to care)

family situations

refer to the specific circumstances or events that a family is facing, such as divorce, illness or substance misuse

-generally more temporary and situational

family dynamics

patterns in how family members interact

-overt: openly expressed preferences, visible cultural rules

-covert: personalities, relationship between parents, intergenerational dynamics… etc

T/F: Maltreatments are influenced by family conditions AND family dynamics

True

Abuse Vs. Neglect

Abuse: physical injury by willful act, sexual abuse, mental injury, asphyxiation, bizarre punishment, bone fractures, burns, internal injury

Neglect: failure to protect, environmental hazards, inadequate supervision, medical neglect, substance misuse

Abuse OR neglect: abandonment, non-organic failure to thrive, malnutrition, dehydration, human trafficking, household violence threatens child, IPV, death, substance exposed newborn

Why is maslow’s hierarchy of needs important to consider when working with families?

understanding the hierarchy can shed light on behavior and priorities, especially when considering individuals in challenging situations like poverty

Situational Poverty

temporary financial hardship resulting from specific life events or circumstances

-caused by unforeseen challenges, such as: job loss, medical emergencies, natural disasters, divorce, disability/death

Generational Poverty

Persistent and widespread lack of access to basic resources and necessities, such as food, shelter, healthcare and education

• can lead to reduced life expectancy, poor health outcomes, increased crime rates…etc

Impacts of poverty on children

poor health, educational delays/challenges, emotional and behavioral problems, social isolation, limited opportunities

Mental Illness

a condition affecting a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior or mood.

causes: early adverse life experiences, chronic medical conditions, biological factor/chemical imbalances, alcohol/drug use, persistent feelings of loneliness or isolation

most common in child welfare: anxiety, schizophrenia, mood disorders, dual diagnosis

What is dual diagnosis?

when someone has a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder

-increased risk for impulsive and violent acts

-less likely to achieve lasting sobriety and to adhere to treatment plans

The Baker Act

provides legal procedures relating to mental health examination and treatment for both adult and children, which include voluntary admission, involuntary examination, involuntary inpatient placement, involuntary outpatient placement

What is the criteria for a baker act?

1. belief that individual is mentally ill and has refused voluntary examination

2. individual cannot determine on own if examination is required, and is at risk of self-harm due to neglect or refusal of care

3. significant potential risk of the individual causing serious bodily harm to themselves or others shown by recent behavior

T/F: CWP’s have the authority to place someone under the baker act

False

cognitive impairment

a condition where a person has trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that affect their daily life

-daily challenges: difficulty communicating, relaying info, and making critical decisions, struggling to focus and retain new info, frustration from not being understood

developmental disabilities

• cerebral palsy

• autism

• spins bifida

• prader-willi syndrome

disorders or syndromes rooted in intellectual disabilities

intellectual disabilities

a person’s general mental capacity. diagnosed if an individual has an IQ score of approx 70 or below

-daily challenges: limited awareness of one’s limitations, require specialized methods of learning and accessing info, many need continuous or lifelong support

Limited cognitive functioning

difficulties in cognitive abilities that impacts an individual’s daily life and functional skills

-challenges in at least two or more of these areas: communication, self-care, home living, social/interpersonal skills, use of community resources, self-direction, functional academic skills, work, leisure, health and safety

What factors can lead to limited cognitive functioning?

• genes/heredity

• prenatal exposure to alcohol/drugs

• birth complications

• health problems

• post-birth complications

• environmental factors

• low birth weight

• untreated newborn jaundice

characteristics of parents with limited cognitive functioning

• describe themselves as slow learners

• difficulty processing and retaining info

• limited parenting models

• challenged by understanding their child’s development

• avoid asking for help for fear their child will be removed

• experience parental stress

the negative impact of cognitive functioning can be mitigated with supportive relationships. what other factors can support successful parenting?

• having fewer children

• adequate motivation and willingness to accept support from service providers

• training in the home to enhance the ability to repeat skills

• having appropriate parent models during childhood

Child Maltreatment

any intentional harm or threatened harm to a child’s physical, mental or emotional well-being

How many maltreatments are mentioned in florida statues?

27

What is the child maltreatment index?

-includes the definitions, examples, rule-out criteria, and assessment guidance that must be met for specific maltreatment to coincide with the alleged child abuse

-your guidebook for knowing which maltreatment applies to situations of alleged abuse

maltreatment findings definitions

1. verified: a preponderance (51%) of credible evidence results in the determination that the harm was a result of abuse

2. not substantiated: some credible evidence but not a preponderance of evidence to support

3. no indicators: no credible evidence to support

Child Protection Team (CPT)

-assists DCF and the CBC agencies in assessing allegations of child abuse and neglect

What services are provided by the CPT?

• diagnostic evaluations (medical evaluations)

• child and family assessments

• specialized interviews

• case coordination

• therapeutic interventions

• community education

mandatory criteria for referral to CPT:

• STDs in prepubescent children

• physical injuries

• bruising

• sexual abuse

• malnutrition/failure to thrive

• medical neglect

• emotional distress

• fatalities

if an injury is observed or preliminary info supports the reported maltreatment, the investigator should contact CPT….

as soon as possible

if no injury is observed or preliminary info does not support the reported maltreatment, the investigator should contact CPT….

within TWO working days to attain a consensus decision

Abandonment

-when the parent or legal custodian of a child fails to make a significant contribution to the child’s care and maintenance

-happens when they are unable to establish or to sustain a substantial and positive relationship with the child

-examples: failing to resume care after family-arranged placement, leaving child with no intention of returning…

threatened harm

-intentional behaviors that are likely to cause harm to the child, even without direct physical harm already occurring

-ex: death of sibling/other child in house due to abuse or neglect, an individual that currently has children in out-of-home care has a new child…

Threatened harm factors to assess

• the specific harm likely to occur

• spiraling family conditions

• potential for severe injury (sexual, physical, emotional)

• protective capacities of other adult present

• connection of incident to likelihood of injury

• prior documented abuse, neglect or child welfare history

• the child’s medical, behavioral, mental or emotional conditions impacting their self-protection ability

• any pattern of similar instances involving the child under the parent’s responsibility

child exploitation

-refers to the use of children for financial gain, labor, sexual exploitation or any other purpose that is detrimental to their well-being

what does child exploitation include?

• sexual abuse

• human trafficking

• child labor

• forced begging

• illegal adoption

• child marriage

• use of child soldiers

human trafficking

transporting, soliciting, recruiting, harboring, providing, enticing, maintaining, or obtaining another person for the purpose of exploitation of that person

what are the two maltreatment tied directly to human trafficking?

1. commercial sexual exploitation of a child (CSEC): the use of any person under 18 for sexual purposes in exchange for anything of value

2. labor

High-risk populations for human trafficking/CSEC

• children with a history of abuse or neglect, particularly those who suffered sexual abuse

• homeless/runaway youth

• those previously engaged with the child welfare and foster care system

• LGBTQ youth

commercial sex act

any sexual act in which something of value is given or received by any person and can include :

• exotic dancing

• pornography

• other sexual acts

forms of sex trafficking

1. renegade/survival sex: direct exchanges without a third-party broker (no pimp)

2. pimp trafficking: a third party (pimp) facilitates the exchange of sexual acts for tangible goods or money

3. familial trafficking: relative is complicit in the trafficking

4. gang trafficking: serves as a revenue stream for gangs

key indicators to identify victims of human trafficking/CSEC

• erratic school attendance

• relationships with older individuals

• recurrent runaway incidents

• arrests for petty crimes

• prior interactions with welfare

T/F: male CSEC victims are often overlooked (15% of reports)

True

labor human trafficking victims profiles

1. many believe they are entering the US for valid employment, only to find themselves trapped in debt to their trafficker

2. traffickers commonly confiscate victim’s identification and threaten families back home

3. victims often face language barriers, uncertain about their legal standings, and threats from their captors

debt bondage

victims pledge their services to repay a debt or obligation

involuntary servitude

a servitude state induced by either:

• threats or serious harm or physical restraint against the victim or their loved ones

• misuse of or threats of legal action

impact of human trafficking on children

• physical harm

• sexual exploitation

• mental health problems

• limited access to education

• social isolation

• drug addiction