The Role of Public Policy in Protecting Children from Violence

1. The Role of Public Policy in Protecting Children from Violence

2. Presentation Overview • Joint Council • Tom DiFilipo – Public Policy • Jody Sciortino – Clinical Interventions • Morris & McDaniel • David Morris – Clinical Preventions

3. A Human Rights Based Approach • Universal Declaration of Human Rights • Family is “the natural and fundamental unit of society” • As such the family, including children, must be protected • United Nations Programme for the International year of the Family • “the family provides the natural framework for…the growth and development of its members, particularly infants and children”

4. A Human Rights Based Approach • United Nations Convention on the rights of the Child • Provides each child with: • The right to survival, • The right to develop to the fullest, • The right to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation, • and the right to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.

5. A Human Rights Based Approach • Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption • “Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.”

6. Governments Role The International Community has agreed that governments have a responsibility to set public policies which protect the family and all of its members, including infants and children.

7. The Family’s Role The World Community agrees; • The family has the greatest potential to protect children and provide for their physical and emotional safety. • The privacy and autonomy of the family are valued in all societies and is guaranteed in international human rights instruments. • Preventing or responding to violence against children is challenging in the context of the ‘private’ family. • However, • children’s rights to life, survival and safety do not stop at the door of the family home, nor do States’ obligations to ensure these rights for children.

8. Protection Against Institutionalization • Family Preservation • Family Reunification • Kinship Care • Foster Care • Adoption • Domestic • International • Group Homes • Independent Living

9. Deinstitutionalization vs. Family Life • Global Trend Towards Deinstitutionalization • Columbia, new child’s rights law, 2007 • China, foster care replacing ICA • Ukraine, foster care • Africa, preventing institutions as an option • United States, foster care & adoption • India, street children

10. Fixing One Problem -Causing Another • United States – deinstitutionalization • Homelessness (street children) • Foster Care system overwhelmed • Increase in violence against children • Increase in incarceration rates

11. Fixing One Problem -Causing Another • Colombia • child rights law & deinstitutionalization • Up to 2 years to permit an adoption • Lack of funding • Decrease in services

12. Fixing One Problem -Causing Another • Russia • deinstitutionalization • Increase in violence

13. The Goal of Public Policy • Provide each child with: • The right to survival, • The right to develop to the fullest, • The right to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation, • and the right to participate fully in family, cultural and social life. Create a safe, permanent and loving family for each child

14. Safety, Permanency & Love • Adoption vs. Foster Care • Safe but not permanent • Motivation of Foster Family • Domestic Adoption vs. International Adoption • Fewer protections for domestic • More protections for international

15. The Colombian Model • All Placements • Parents assessed by licensed social worker • Parents must visit prior to placement • Pre-adoption education requirements • Post Placement requirements • Equal status requirements

16. The United States Model • Domestic Adoption • Parents assessed by licensed social worker, physicians, police • Emotional, physician, financial, criminal • Parents must visit prior to placement • Post Placement requirements • Equal status requirements • Insurance, education, rights, inheritance • International Adoption • None

17. The Russian Model • International Adoption • Parents assessed by licensed social worker, physicians, police and Federal Government • Emotional, physician, financial, criminal • Parents must visit prior to placement • Pre-adoption education requirements • Post Placement requirements • Equal status requirements • Insurance, education, rights, inheritance

18. The Russian Model • International Adoption • 12 deaths in 52,511 adoptions • .02 % • 1 in every 4,357 adoptions

19. A Common Thread The Home Study • Training of prospective adoptive parents • Interview of prospective adoptive parents • Home Visit • Health Statements • Income Statements • Background Checks • Autobiographical Statement • References

20. Parent Training • Training of prospective adoptive parents • Parenting a child with a history of physical and/or sexual abuse • Parenting a traumatized child • Parenting a child with Developmental Delays • Parenting the older child • Search & Reunion Issues of the adopted child • Integration into the extended family • Siblings • Relatives • Nontraditional Families

21. The Interview • Interview • Family Background • Education • Employment • Relationships • Daily Life • Parenting • Neighborhood • Religion • Readiness for Adoption

22. The Assessment • A report integrating all elements of the Home Study into a summary statement and the social worker's recommendation. • If not approved, the report may include recommended interventions. • Some prospective adoptive parents may receive a conditional approval. • If approved for adoption, the report includes the age range and number of children for which the family is approved.

23. Role of Public PolicySummary Statement

24. Equal Protections • Regardless of the placement (birth, kinship, foster, adoption) • A human rights approach • Focus on creating a safe, permanent & loving family • Trained & educated professionals • Assessment of the child • Assessment of the child’s best interest • Assessment of the kinship, foster or adoptive family • Education of kinship, foster or adoptive family • Post Placement support and supervision

25. If you want to go fast, go alone If you want to go far, travel together African Proverb