The Role of School in the Child Protection System in New York City

Jocelyn Brown

Columbia University

Jocelyn Brown is a Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Director of the Hospital and borough based Child Advocacy Centers in Manhattan, in New York City. For the past twenty years, her clinical experience has focused on the medical diagnosis of child abuse, the coordination of a multidisciplinary response to the investigation, the prosecution of child abuse cases and the delivery of mental health services for abused children. Currently she is a co-investigator on a project funded by Partner University Fund and Face Foundation, a joint partnership of the Ecoles des Hautes Etudes en Sante Publique (EHESP) in Rennes and the Mailman School of Public Health (MSPH) of Columbia University comparing school health physicians child abuse training and knowledge in the US and France . She is a co-Principal Investigator on a grant ”Epidemiology of Child Maltreatment-related Emergency Department Visits” funded by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . She is also a Principal Investigator on a training grant from the Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center. National Children’s Alliance n.e.t Videoconference Program that provides peer review training to health professionals in medical evaluation of child abuse.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the current challenges facing the child protection system in New York City, focusing on the public schools reporting role. Promising practices and efforts at system-wide... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the current challenges facing the child protection system in New York City, focusing on the public schools reporting role. Promising practices and efforts at system-wide collaboration were also identified.

Methods: Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants working in the child protection system in New York City (NYC)including physicians, judges, lawyers, members of law enforcement, staff from the NYC Child Protection Agency (Administration for Children’s Services (ACS)),and community organizations. Informants were asked about their understanding of the reporting system, the role of schools in the prevention and post-reporting process, and existing collaboration among the various agencies involved in the child protection system. Transcribed interviews were coded for salient themes using QRS Nvivo analytical software.

Results: Key informants in the system identified several challenges impacting the effectiveness of reporting child maltreatment from NYC public schools. The most salient themes included the challenge posed by the prevailing negative perception of the child protection system within communities. The perception of ACS as an entity that separates children from their families may discourage reporting for the purpose of service provision or other non-removal interventions. Informants pointed to the necessary role of schools in preventing child maltreatment, including connecting families to services prior to a report needing to be made and supporting families post-report.

Conclusions: Public schools are the main source of mandated reports for NYC children and families. Schools have the opportunity to be a liaison between communities and investigative agencies and serve as hubs for the prevention of child maltreatment. The identification of families at risk without the stigma of government agency's involvement should increase the cooperation of communities without blame and coercion and optimize the delivery of needed services at the neighborhood level.

Authors

Rachel Carney (Columbia University)
Prativa Baral (Columbia University)
Caroline Volel (Columbia University)
Agnes Ducros (Ecole Des Hautes Etudes en Sante Publique)
Jeanine Pommier (Ecole Des Hautes Etudes en Sante Publique)
Jocelyn Brown (Columbia University)

Topic Area

Child Protection Systems and Strategies at local, national and international levels

Session

Oral 29 » Session 3- Voice of the Child (16:15 - Tuesday, 3rd October, Africa Room)

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