Sociology

There are so many social services agencies on federal, state, and private levels instituted to help the general public. Each agency has a specific directive and mission.  Qualified social services workers are employed in order to maintain a level of professionalism and to meet the needs of all clients.  Without the dedication of these workers, the social service system would be a complete failure.  The focus of this paper will center on a state level social service organization from West Virginia.
   
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is a state level social organization designed to assist the general public in every facet of day to day life.  The agency prides itself on being dedicated to providing quality services to individuals, children, and families (WV DHHR, 2009).  Each case is different from another, yet there are many similarities.  The centered goal of this particular agency is to help aid individuals and families to the point of becoming self-sufficient and self-reliant.  Programs have been implemented to speed the process along and make the road to recovery a little less burdensome.  Service programs such as food stamps, temporary assistance to needy families (TANF), and utility assistance are provided through federal connections.  On a state level, the agency provides clothing vouchers to school age children, reduced and free school meals, medical assistance, educational assistance, and counseling referrals when needed.  The overall vision within this agency is to see West Virginians become safer and more independent.
   
The current economic recession has allowed the WV DHHR to see a vast increase in the number of clientele.  Individuals are finding that employment lay-offs are inevitable.  The WV DHHR is closely connected with the local unemployment office.  It also facilitates services to single parents who are in need of collecting child support for their child.  This is aided through the Bureau for Child Support Enforcement, which another program office located within the same is building.  Eligibility workers help clients by screening their current economic circumstances and informing them of which programs were qualified for.  This process is usually handled over the course of only one to two appointments.
   
A special program of interest contained within the WV DHHR is the Child Protective Services unit, (CPS).  This unit specializes in providing welfare services to suspected and maltreated children.  Several requirements for services must be met, but the entire process usually begins with a referral from an individual or a mandated reporter.  The sole focus of this unit is to protect children from being physically abused, sexually abused, or neglected.
   
This program is funded on both federal and state levels.  Grants under the Title IVB child welfare, CPCIP, ETV, and the Title IVE foster care are more than ample in providing the necessary funding to keep the program implemented.  Currently, the Child Protective Services unit in West Virginia is funded with 47 of monies coming from the federal government (WVs Children, 2009).  State funding accounts for over 53 in total.  State grants are also provisioned on a yearly basis.
   
In order for this program to continue to be a success, social workers must demonstrate a necessity.  Referrals are also provided for food banks, education, counseling, substance abuse therapy and treatment, early childhood educational intervention programs, as well as transportation referrals.  The sole intentions of the department truly have the clients best interest at heart.  The circumstances upon which CPS workers come to know their clientele leave much to be desired (Miller-Perrin  Perrin, 2007).  CPS workers must initiate contact with individuals, families, and children after a report of suspected abuse or neglect has been established.

Social Problem

The main focal point of the Child Protective Services division is that of child abuse and neglect. These issues of maltreatment can have not only a devastating effect on the children involved, but they also carry with it detrimental effects on the family as a whole.  The social worker is held responsible for performing risk assessments within the legal rights of all involved.  Some clientele can make this investigatory process very difficult.  The social worker strives to assure the safety and health of the family as well as providing a stabling factor for the children, adults, and family in general (DePanfilis  Salus, 1992).
   
Child abuse and neglect problems have been occurring for decades, but society has finally rendered the decision that these actions would no longer be permissible.  Some children have been physically abused, burned, malnourished, medically neglected, sexually abused, and even forced to live outside due to inadequate shelter.  Clothing has also proven to be a problem.  Not every parent sets out to be an abuser nor do they intentionally neglect their children in all cases.  Economic circumstances coupled with mental stressors can sometimes produce irrational behavior from anyone (Messant, 2000).  Despair and depression are often times the culprit for these behaviors.
   
Child Protective Services maintains the position of being child centered and family focused.  It promises to serve the community as a whole.  In 2006, West Virginia experienced 49,785 referrals for child abuse and neglect, but even more devastating is that fifteen children died as a result of abuse and neglect (West Virginias Children, 2009).  There does not appear to be a specific demographic or ethnic correlation between reports of abuse and neglect with regard to founded incidents.  Child abuse and neglect victims are under reported.

Source of the Social Problem
Reports of child abuse and child neglect can be reported to the WV DHHR over the telephone, in person, or even anonymously.  Certain public services workers like doctors, clergy, school officials, and members of law enforcement are mandated to file reports of suspected abuse and neglect under state law.  Children are reluctant to speak out against their parent or caregiver for fear of being reprimanded.  Children simply think that what is happening is normal and have no reason to question the abuse.  Parents and caregivers are more influenced by social factors and personal ideations that originally thought (McCallister, King,  Lester, 2008).  Parents and caregivers can become so enveloped in their own affairs that the needs of the children often go ignored.  This is often seen in single parent homes.
   
In single parent homes, one person is left to ultimately handle the role of both parents.  These adults are responsible for bringing in an income, providing for every physical need of the child, paying for daycare, establishing proper preventative medical care, and still being able to maintain some sense of individuality.  This can lead to psychological issues including but not limited to depression and anxiety (Stevenson, 1999).  The overwhelming need to succeed can actually become a platform for failure.
   
The history of the caregiver must also be examined for clues to the source of the problem.  Quite often, abusers were abused as children as well.  Some abusers are even victims of domestic violence.  Psychiatric histories should be included in finding the source of the problem.  Biological factors should be included in the evaluation of reasoning.  Excuses should not be made for individuals who abuse or neglect children, but a better sense of understanding could serve to provide insight into the problem and help find a remedy.

Practice Approach
Child Protective Services workers are mandated by their employment to protect and control the safety of any child suspected of being abused or neglected.  This is formulated through intensive investigations by which any client accused of abuse or neglect is promptly notified.  It is imperative that social workers work diligently with the parents or caregivers to find the least intrusive method of resolve to the issue at hand.  This can be easily accomplished by providing each individual and family with the proper resources to better educate about the child protective services investigatory process.  This should include a pamphlet explaining and outlining each individuals rights and responsibilities concerning the issue of suspected abuse or neglect.
   
Agency policy, training, and required protocol have determined what method to follow when handling an investigation.  Each worker is to perform a risk assessment in order to identify and stop a possible occurrence of abuse or neglect.  Immediately following a risk assessment intake, the worker must establish if a safety assessment or protection plan is needed (National Resource Center for Child Protective Services, 2009).  Provisions for removing an abuser from the residence are possible in order to protect the victim.  The least intrusive measure is the goal of the child protective service worker.
   
Removing a child from the home can be avoided if everyone works together with the child protective service worker.  Treatment plans, safety plans, and service provisions can be implemented to ensure that everyone is safe and on a better path of recovery.  Counseling services can be mandated as well as substance abuse therapy.  Medical exams can be provided.  Transportation to safe houses or shelters can be used.  Essentially, if the case worker listens to the caregiver and the child and vice versa, the case can be evaluated and closed successfully.

The program of child protective service within the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources agency runs quite efficiently.  Minor modifications could be made to save time and money in the long range, but these modifications would need to be tailored to each locality.  When reports of suspected abuse and neglect are logged with the agency, it would be nice to be able to remove the false allegations and false reports made by disgruntled ex spouses or angry neighbors.  Stiffer penalties should be incited for individuals who knowingly file false reports of abuse and neglect in order to maintain the sanctity of the program (Brisbin, Dilger, Hammock,  Plein, 2009).  Extended family member should be afforded the opportunity to offer aid and assistance to a family in crisis as a means to alleviate familial stressors. Mentors could be assigned to parents or caregivers as a means to provide support and encouragement (Davies, 2002).  Finally, it would be productive to have a state funded support group set up within each child protective services division that serves only to address the needs of the parents, adults, and caregivers accused of neglecting or abusing their children.  These adults should not carry the burden of feeling ostracized due to what may have been a mistake, mishap, or accident.