The Walter Family - Case Study Example

The Walter Family Case I. Type of Abuse: Neglect The case for the Walter children constitutes a type of unintentional neglect that could result in life-threatening conditions for them such as death due to malnutrition. The federal law considers neglect as the occasion when the parent or the responsible person fails to provide the child his/her physiological needs such as food, shelter, clothing, supervision, and (in some statutes), education and medical or mental care (CWIG). Financial inability however does not constitute a type of neglect (CWIG). In the case provided, the Walter children are not properly taken cared of as evident in being abandoned by their father, or having no direct source of nutrition, in staying in an untidy dwelling place, or under the supervision of Mrs. Catherine Walter, a self-proclaimed ‘depressed’ mother. The children are entitled to their basic needs and because there appeared to be a lack of provision in the Walter family, Mrs. Walter may indeed be guilty of neglecting her children. II. Major Issues of the Family The major problem of the family is that it does not have any dependable resources, let alone in the financial aspect. Although the lack of financial resources does not significantly qualify for a type of neglect, the Walter children are left exposed to possible substantial harm from the lack of food and a safe and clean dwelling place with no parent or any form of guardian to attend to their immediate needs. Mr. Walter abandoned his family without providing any essential aid (e.g. insurance) while Mrs. Walter admitted to have depressive symptoms which would give enough reason for the community CPS to take necessary action over the situation. Parental depression can cause a parent to divert her attention away from her children (Jackson et al. 5). III. Needs of the Family The Walter family requires a good provider. The children specifically need nutrition and a safe and clean home where their immediate physiological needs can be addressed promptly. More importantly, the children need love and/or emotional care from a parent because they have undergone a change of family course. Parental abandonment of a child results in harmful psychological effects such as the fear of loss, mental damage, feelings of embarrassment, and/or problems with intimacy (Ryan). Generally, the family needs economic and professional help from concerned social workers who could assist them. IV. Action Plan and Intervention Goals It is necessary that the alleged neglect of the Walter children by their mother, Mrs. Catherine Walter be determined properly. The community agency should know whether the treatment or intervention is favorable for the children and Mrs. Walter. Despite the fact that it’s the main duty of the community CPS to reduce the probable risks to a child, separating a child from his/her parent should be its last remaining option because doing so against the will of the family member concerned may have negative psychological effects to them especially when it is not necessary. In the following action plan, the persons directly involved during the treatment will be the Walter children, Mrs. Walter, physicians, pediatricians, social workers, child psychologists, and nutritional professionals who can detect victims of abuse or neglect. Intake/Initial Assessment/Investigation The Child Protective Services Agency must acquire credible evidence to substantiate the report of neglect (Depanfilis). Mrs. Walter should be properly and justifiably evaluated whether she could still provide the physiological and emotional needs of her children or not despite the fact that she admitted to undergoing depressive symptoms for it still unjust to opt for placement without due process of law (25). However, if it is the parent’s own choice to confine her children into a foster home instead, then she is already waiving her right as a responsible mother to her children. This recommended action will also determine whether statutory child protection is the best approach to the Walter family case. Through an assessment procedure, CPS will know if the children are at risk of maltreatment and it is the agency’s major responsibility to reduce these risks by intervention programs and support techniques. Family Assessment If in case Mrs. Walter is found guilty of neglect, the agency should conduct a family assessment to identify the nature and scope of the type of abuse so that caseworkers could plan for a better resolution other than putting the children under foster care (Depafilis 6). Well-being Services The impact of abandonment to a child can become worse; and the possible inability of a single parent to provide care and nourishment to his/her children poses substantial risks. CPS could provide appropriate well-being services to the Walter children to let them be able to handle the situation better (e.g. appropriate psychological intervention). By ensuring the welfare of the Walter children, CPS should also especially ensure the welfare of Mrs. Walter in such a way that she can get a healthy start to support her children without the help of the other parent. V. Support Techniques & Strategies Home Visiting Acquiring evidence to the neglect of the Walter children, conducting family assessments, and providing well-being and follow-up services to the mother and the children would require home visiting. Caseworkers will be able to have a better and concrete understanding of the family’s situation so that they could approach it in the most appropriate manner. Parent Education/Counseling CPS may offer parent education as well. As part of the well-being services and permanency program, CPS may offer therapeutic sessions to Mrs. Walter to aid her depression. After this phase, she may receive parent education regarding single parenting techniques (Depanfilis) or home management skills (65; SWHD). CPS could also assist Mrs. Walter to obtaining a financial loan or better yet, in finding a stable and adequate source of income. Family Preservation Program This program is a kind of home visiting program but is a form of remedial intervention where the agency will provide intensive support and counseling to the Ms. Walter and her children (SWHD). This will give Mrs. Walter the avenue to relay her concerns or needs for the children. It is always a better option to keep the family intact in a secured environment where and when possible (Department of Human Resources (DHR)). Out-of-home Placement Out-of-home care is the last alternative. The consensus of the family will be of special importance in order to provide a smooth transition to the separation process, and thus moderating the impact of psychological stress of both children and parent. VI. Maintenance/Follow-Up The Walter children and Mrs. Walter should receive follow-up services regardless of whether the case will be substantiated or not, by evaluating their progress after the treatment plan has been implemented and in determining if the treatment was effective. The physicians, pediatricians, psychologists, and other professionals involved during treatment are obliged to provide follow-up care such as psychological help and nutritional supplements. Follow-up services are also essential in order to ensure that the signs of neglect will not recur after the intervention process. In case the community agency finds it fit enough for the children and the mother to reunite, it will have to continue to deploy social workers or public health nurses for home visits in order to stay updated of the condition of the family (Botash). The agency may also opt to make appointments with the family. Continued open communication is of the essence to ensure that the children are in a better condition. In case for out-of-home placement, it will have to examine the appropriateness of the residence for placement, the family background of the adoptive family, and etc. It will have to conduct periodic contact with the foster parent/s. Works Cited Botash, Ann. “Child Maltreatment.” Merck Manuals. Merck Manuals, Web. 23 Feb. 2011. . CWIG. “Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect: Summary of State Laws.” Child Welfare. Child Welfare, 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2011. . Depanfilis, Diane. Child Protective Services: A Guide for Caseworkers. USA: Diane Publishing, 1992. Print. DHR. "Child Protective Services." DHR. DHR, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2011. . Jackson, Alun, Belinda Johnson, Jane Millar, and Nadine Camero. High Risk Infants Known to Child Protection Services: Literature Review, Annotation and Analysis: An initiative of the High Risk Infants Service Quality Initiative Project. Melbourne, Victoria: Victorian Government Department of Human Services, 1999. Web. 23 Feb. 2011. . Ryan, David. “Psychological Effects of Child Abandonment.” Livestrong. LiveStrong, 28 Sept. 2010. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. . SWHD. “Permanency & Well-Being Helping Children Stay Safe and Secure.” SWHD. SWHD, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2011. . Read More