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The Problem of Child Abuse and Maltreatment
The problem of child abuse and maltreatment in the United States is an enduring one. Since its identification as a medical problem in 1959, its definition has been expanded as an individual, familial, neighborhood, community, and social problem. While we have much still to learn regarding its etiology, prevention, and treatment, there exists some clear and consistent knowledge about the phenomenon.
For example, we now keep better statistics about the scope of the problem. In 2002, over 1,800,000 referrals for child abuse or neglect were made to child protective service units across the U.S. Of these, approximately 896,000 children were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. The majority (60.5%) experienced neglect, which continues to be the category of maltreatment which affects the largest proportion of referred children. In 2002, 1,400 children died of abuse or neglect.
National trends indicate that while the rate of referrals for investigation or assessment of child abuse and neglect has increased modestly in the past decade, rates of substantiated victimization have decreased slightly.
Here in New York State, of 155,678 child protective service investigations completed, nearly one-third (47,819) were substantiated as abusive or neglectful. There were 68 children who died in New York State in 2002 as a result of abuse or neglect.
Mandated reporters accounted for more than one-half of all reports that alleged child abuse or neglect.
The New York State Licensing Law for Social Work
Effective September 1, 2004, the New York State Education Law was changed to create two professional titles for Social Work (Article 154, Social Work). The specific requirements for licensure are contained in Title 8, Article 154, Section 7704 of New York's Education Law and Part 74 and Section 52.30 of the Commissioner's Regulations.
The New York Board of Regents approved new regulations to establish the profession and clarify provisions of the law, such as those related to education, experience, and the examination required for licensure. As part of this change of law, every applicant for social work licensure in New York State must complete coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse in accordance with Section 6507(3a) of the Education Law.
Applicants must submit a certificate of completion from an approved provider before a New York State license can be issued. Adelphi University became an approved provider in 2004.
For more information or questions about this requirement, please contact the Professional Education Program Review Unit at the New York State Education Department at 518.874.3817, ext. 360, or search these Web sites:
To request copies of the relevant sections of the law, contact opforms@mail.nysed.gov or 518.474.3817, ext. 320.
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Contact
For additional information, please contact:
Marlene Scheer
Continuing Education Coordinator
Social Work Building, Rm 231
p - 516.877.4392
f - 516.877.3266
e - scheer@adelphi.edu
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