Marin Voice: Prevent child abuse with thoughtful community support

It’s a heartbreaking statistic: 1-in-3 children in the United States will be subject to an investigation of child abuse by the time they turn 18. But data shows that only a small percentage of these reports are confirmed as maltreatment – yet all become part of the child welfare system (at least temporarily) simply because they were reported.

Certainly, we all must be most concerned for the children who are actually suffering from abuse or neglect, and prioritize the immediate actions necessary to protect them. But we also must take care not to cause harm by making vague allegations that may have extreme consequences (such as removal from the home and foster care).

As a community, we have options to help families that are struggling or appear at risk of severe challenges. We need to identify and support an array of local services to support families.

Under current California law, professionals who serve children and families – physicians, teachers, counselors, law enforcement and other child-serving professionals – are mandated to report cases of suspected child abuse or neglect to appropriate government agencies.

Almost half of reported allegations are for “general neglect,” such as substance abuse, domestic violence or unmet mental health needs. But according to the California Child Welfare Indicators Project, only 1-in-9 cases of child abuse or neglect was substantiated in 2023.

Black, Native American and Latino children and families are much more likely to be reported and become involved in the child welfare system. In California, 1-in-2 of these children will be subject to an investigation of child abuse by the age of 18 – which only exacerbates stereotypes and stigmas.

Overreporting has consequences. The impact of being “reported to Child Protective Services” (known as Children and Family Services in Marin County) can be traumatic for the whole family. A CPS report can cause fear and distrust of the adults involved in the child’s life. It can have serious social-emotional impacts on the child, both immediate and long-lasting.

Mandated reporters may often err on the side of reporting their suspicions – being worried about liability or just honest concern for a child. Improved training can help reduce implicit bias in reporting as well as enhance knowledge of community resources for family referrals.

Professionals in the field of child-abuse prevention now recommend a path to reform our current system of mandated reporters to one of community supporters. The overarching goal is to keep children and families together, safe, well and strengthened by the resources they need to thrive.

A key task force has developed five key strategic priorities:

• Analyze and clarify what should and should not be reported to protective services.

• Eliminate the disproportionate reporting of Black, Latino and Native American families.

• Ensure that mandated reporting laws, policies and training don’t encourage inappropriate referrals and separation of families.

• Ensure that mandated reporters are fully informed and trained on community resources, services and support systems.

• Invest in comprehensive and sustainable reforms for mandated reporting.

The California Child Welfare Council recently accepted the report “Shifting from Reporting Families to Supporting Families” and voted to adopt the five priority recommendations. As a result, we can expect statewide legislative reform proposals as well substantive procedural changes at the county level in the coming months.

What we need now are community pathways to provide families with culturally relevant, local prevention services – without direct involvement of CPS. These supports need to be provided outside of the child welfare system and allow families to voluntarily access a robust array of services, including: financial support programs, health care and wellness programs, educational opportunities, training and counseling. Importantly, we need robust funding options focused on prevention, as we know that the cost of prevention is far less than intervention.

Together, we can protect children and strengthen families.  Be informed, promote reforms and support community efforts to prevent child abuse.

To learn more, you are invited to join a free online presentation by “Safe and Sound” on Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. This event is co-sponsored by the Marin Child Abuse Prevention Council, the Child Parent Institute, Safe and Sound, and the First 5 Marin Children and Families Commission. To register, email Michelle@First5Marin.org.

Robin Bowen is executive director of the Child Parent Institute and Pegah Faed is executive director of Safe and Sound. They are co-coordinators of the Marin Child Abuse Prevention Council.