Family Assessment by Ach Social Workers

FAMILY ASSESSMENT BY ACH SOCIAL WORKERS

IN CASES OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE

Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) social workers will continue to offer assessments of families in case of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, neglect, and failure-to-thrive. These assessments may include interviews of both caretakers and their children. The State-mandated responsible agencies, Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division (CACD), are under no obligation whatsoever to accept our offer to provide assessments. We anticipate DCFS or CACD worker who is experienced in these assessments may prefer to perform the evaluations, and others may prefer to participate in the assessments with an ACH social worker. The key is to work together, the talents of the ACH social worker and DCFS or CACD worker meshing for the best interests of the children. Although issues of "control" and "turf" should be put aside for the welfare of our patients, we recognize that investigation of abuse is the legally mandated "turf" of CACD or DCFS. Thus, our offer to provide or assist in family assessments is one that can be freely accepted or rejected.

Formulating a plan for the protection of children also is State-authorized "turf" of CACD and DCFS. However, the total commitment of ACH professionals to the physical and psychosocial well being of all patients extends beyond hospital confines. We hope the clinical input of all ACH professionals, whether physicians, social workers, nurses, or others, will be respected. Realistically, the ACH professionals sometimes will not agree with the decisions of workers of CACD or DCFS. When that occurs, our responsibility to children and even to CACD and DCFS is to express that difference of opinion. Rarely, an ACH professional may believe that a decision affecting the safety of a child from further abuse or neglect is inconsistent with the usual procedures and decisions of CACD and DCFS. When the difference of opinion cannot be resolved by discussion between the involved professionals, the ACH employee should consult his or her supervisor. Peer review and support is paramount in such situation.

The collaboration of a variety of professionals with ACH, the community, and State in helping abused children and their families is one of the most professionally rewarding aspects of caring for abused children. We are fortunate to be part of that process.

Rev 9/02