COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

& INTEGRATION SERVICES

CHILD WELFARE

When you hear of child welfare, what comes to your
mind?
What do you think of?

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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What is Child Welfare
Child welfare is a branch/arm of the
government that was created to protect
children and encourage family stability.
The Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act
(2004)
there are reasonable and probable
grounds that the childs survival, security, or
development is endangered

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Child Abuse/Child Maltreatment
Any act or series of acts committed or omitted by a
parent or other caregiver that results in harm,
potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child.
- Neglect
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Child abandonment
- Emotional abuse
- Drug Endangerment.

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Neglect
the child is frequently absent from school
is consistently dirty/ poor hygiene
lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
lacks needed medical and dental care
begs or steals food
Impacts of neglect
experience delays in physical development
difficult time forming and maintaining relationships
becoming cautiously self-reliant, and are often described as
manipulative and disingenuous in their interactions with others

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Physical abuse
- Bruises - scratches - burns - broken bones
- repeated "mishaps," - Unexplained injury
- Multiple injuries or fractures at different healing stages
Distinction between
Physical abuse How would you describe the following:
and - humiliation
Child discipline - spanking
Corporal punishment - beating
Physical punishment - slap in the face


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Mandate/Responsibility of Child Welfare
In order to Prevent further involvement , child
welfare will:
reinforce parenting skills
closely monitor the child's well-being
Home visits by nurses or social-workers
Children's school programs
In order to Protect the child and family, child welfare will:
Refer family members for counseling
Apprehension of the child is usually applied as last resort
and in extreme cases

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Assessment (Home visit)
Food in the refrigerator ( Healthy meals, vegetables,
fruits, snacks)
Nature of the house (clean and orderly)
Children's living space (rooms, beds, age appropriate
toys)
The presence of other adults in the home
Drugs and Alcohol
Interactions between children and parents
Parenting style

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After child welfare makes an assessment:
Least Intrusive Intervention
Family Enhancement Agreement (FEA): The director may enter
into an agreement with the guardian of the child to provide
services to the family and child in question.
Custody Agreement: The director may enter into an agreement
with the guardian under which custody of the child is given to the
director (no more than 6 month).
Supervision Order: The director may apply to the Court for an
order under authorizing the director to provide supervision of the
child and the persons with whom the child resides

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More Intrusive Interventions (Serious cases)
Apprehension : The director may make an ex parte application to
a judge of the Court for an order authorizing the director to
apprehend the child.
a. Temporary Guardianship Order: The Court may make an order
appointing a director as a guardian thereby granting custody of
the child to the director with the anticipation that within
reasonable time the child will be returned to parents.
b. Permanent Guardianship Order: The Court may make an order
appointing a director as a permanent guardian if anticipated
that the child could not be returned to the custody of the childs
guardians.

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Changes in child welfare
Change from the Child Welfare Act (1984) to the Child,
Youth and Family Enhancement Act (2004).
Expanded the range of family/friends for child placement
options.
Increased space for consensual and negotiated
agreements.
Engaging fathers
Becoming culturally sensitive
Evidence based practice
Confidentiality

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Tips
When your child is injured, take your child in immediately for
medical care or contact HealthLink Alberta : 18664085465
When giving details to authority on how your child was injured,
give a specific, detailed account of what happened
Stay calm
Be polite, cooperative, and willing to comply with social services
and other agencies
Treat social workers with courtesy and respect.
If you do not speak, read or understand English request for a
translator
Mind your language. Words can be interpreted different (beat,
spank)

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Become educated! Know what child abuse is and how to prevent it
If your child is apprehended or if the child is left with you do:
Collect letters about your ability to be a good parents as it may be
necessary for court.
Once you have made agreements with a judge on what you are
willing to do to get your children back or keep your children, work
exceedingly hard to do everything that is required of you.
Visit your child regularly, in a time and place agreed upon with
child Welfare
Talk about your childs care and progress with child welfare staff
If unsatisfied with the social worker, there are complaint
procedures
Seek legal advise and ask questions


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Available Resources (Child welfare will make referrals)
Housing/clothing/some financial assistance
Health services/medical care/dental care
Home Support services
Child care
Parenting classes
Family planning services
Transportation
Family and marital counseling
Food banks
Legal services
Drug and alcohol abuse programs

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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