The Child Welfare System: Problems, Controversies, and Future Directions

The main organization charged with responding to child maltreatment in the United States (USA) is the child welfare system. Approximately 10% of the US child population were reported to the child welfare system. This chapter provides an overview of how the system works and how it is monitored. The historical and legislative context of the child welfare system, including the roots of its racial disproportionality, is presented. Current problems and controversies of the system, including poor outcomes, racial disproportionality, variations within the system, insufficient governmental commitment and community support, problems with organizational culture and climate, and inadequate use of evidence-based practices, are also discussed. The chapter ends with future directions for the child welfare system, including disproportionality assessment and practices, trauma-informed child welfare, promising collaborative community strategies, and a broader approach to addressing child maltreatment. Although additional research is needed, ultimately, implementing universal and primary prevention approaches that support families and communities may prevent many cases of abuse and neglect, reducing the currently overburdened child welfare system.

Duke Scholars

Author Kelly Marie Sullivan Psychiatry, Child & Family Mental Health & Community Psychia ...