Encouraging a multidisciplinary perspective, this guide explores the needs of children in the child welfare system and offers ways to get them back on track.Children from birth to age 3 are the largest group of children to enter, re-enter, and remain the child welfare system. Of these children, more than half demonstrate developmental delays. These children's needs are not often addressed by professionals and policy makers involved in decision-making regarding the child welfare system. This book shows how important it is to take a multi-disciplinary approach to address this situation. Through detailed case studies, the author demonstrates best practices and the development of new interdisciplinary models. The key thread in the book is research and practice that align with healthy child development. Topics include the history of child welfare advocacy, new research and new laws, legal advocacy, health care advocacy, early intervention advocacy, early childhood education advocacy, and future directions.
