Nothing is more painful than learning that a child has been abused. No child should ever be subjected to any form of physical, sexual or emotional mistreatment, or be neglected or exploited. What is worrying many experts today is the sharp decline in the number of reported cases of child abuse, nationally and in Central Pennsylvania. As schools are the primary sources for reports of child abuse, the closure of schools in March of 2020 has led to a 16% drop in reports of abuse and neglect in 2020 compared to the previous year, according to the Pennsylvania Human Services Department.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and this is the perfect time to raise awareness to help prevent child abuse. This year’s child abuse prevention month’s theme is “Thriving Children and Families: Prevention With Purpose.” At JFS we are continually working to prevent child abuse.
Our Adoption and Foster Care team takes care to train our foster parents as to the state’s definition of child abuse including what types of discipline are not permitted in foster home, as a means of preventing re-abuse of children, and that all foster parents are required to complete at least three hours of “mandated reporting” training that includes what is child abuse and how to report and their mandate to do so. Our foster care specialist has maintained bi-monthly visits with her families throughout the pandemic. Sometimes this was just a brief driveway or porch visit and sometimes via zoom. The entire adoption team has maintained regular contact with children and families through zoom and outside visits since Covid. These consistent connections provide support and needed resources during these isolating times.
JFS has a busy Family Based Mental health team. Family Based Mental Health Services (FBMHS) is a home-based treatment service for families with children and adolescents who have serious mental illness or emotional disturbance who are at risk of psychiatric hospitalization or out-of-home treatment. Often, we are working with highly stressed families that are living at or below the poverty level and face severe financial stresses. Many of our families have a history of intergenerational abuse, alcohol or substance abuse problems, and family histories of mental illness and trauma that puts them at high risk for child abuse. It is well known that child abuse often repeats itself in the next generation. Therefore, a critical component to FBMHS is to reduce child welfare risks and help parents find ways to take care of themselves to reduce family system disruption. In providing an eco-systemic family therapy approach, we work with families to try to better understand their children and have realistic expectations and be reasonable if children fall short.
All of us at JFS–Adoption, Family-Based, and Mental health Therapy Services, concentrate on several crucial areas that encourage families to maintain safe and healthy relationships with each other, especially during the Pandemic. When disciplining a child, get control of yourself and set clear rules so the child knows what to expect. Adults need to remember to take a time-out. Stop if you begin to act out frustration or other emotions physically. Find someone to talk with or watch your kids while you take a walk. Call a child abuse prevention hotline if you are worried you may hit your child. Take regular breaks from your children. And practice daily self-care. These guidelines will give you a release from the real stress of parenting. Lastly, we are always available to support and strengthen our families when they need help or just an ear to listen.
To learn more about how JFS can help you or your family, contact us at 717-233-1681 or at [email protected]
