Annotated Bibliography

Prevent Child Abuse America Fact Sheet: An Approach to Preventing Child Abuse www.preventchildabuse.org viewed 11/17/09

The fact sheet was a compilation of data about how their program advocated the "prevention of child abuse before it occurs". The document lists many different techniques including: home visits to new parents, prenatal and post natal preparation for emotional stresses during medical visits, high risk group education programs, early treatment and counseling for post-abuse children (to prevent perpetration by the former victim), good quality child care,life skills training for children and young adults, and crisis support.

My reflection: this is exactly the type of information I was looking for, all rolled into one fully accessible paper! I was certain programs like these existed, but have had difficulty finding information (except home visiting). I'll probably use alot of the info from this page in my paper. I'm hoping the website has more similar resources, especially in areas of young adult life skills programs, which I would argue should be more required in school than Algebra. I have not and likely never will use any form of Algebra. Young adults need social education, anger management, and communication skills more. Back on point, am also looking for more information about high risk targeting and education.

#2.
AdministrAtion for Children And Families Stregnthening Families and Communities http://www.preventchildabuse.org/publications/downloads/2009_resource_guide.pdf published 2009

The 87 page document covered alot of information. It added specific plans of action, questions to ask parents, information pamphlets, with talking points aimed at parents, kids and community members. It outlined ideas for broaching prevention ideas to children, conflict resolution data, information on appreciating children, age development expectations for children, community engagement, and public service announcements.

My reflection was that the information will be rather helpful in writing the paper. It encompassed a broad range of prevention techniques, covering children, parents, caregivers and the community. Further, the fact sheets were helpful in analyzing how one might go about identifying a family at risk without using stereotypical information (poverty, family stress, substance abuse) that can both expend resources where unnecessary and leave gaps where stereotypes do not exist, but abuse may become present. Another thing I thought was admirable was the ability of the appoach technique to involve families in their own prevention (as in "parent partnerships" on page 12). Also I appreciated the position encouraging child welfare agencies to change their posture to support and mediate families in crisis, among case workers, foster parents, children and parents. When I was young, it seemed to be the child welfare system against the parents, and then against the child. It's progress that may actually solve something.