Child Welfare and Public Policy: Specific discussion of policy proposals regarding child welfare (physical and sexual abuse in children under 18).

Public Policy Proposals There are several policies currently employed to ameliorate the increasing number of cases of physical and sexual abuse in children. Many of these policies provide for "after the fact" support services for the abused. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Act (PSSF), and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) greatly fund intervention, assessment, counseling, and support services. Though these services are …

…creates Citizen Review Panels to review all findings of abuse or neglect and allows for the release of any and all relating paperwork and; House Bill 1370, which states that first-time offenders of child abuse (when the abuse is deemed minor) can negotiate an agreement with the Child Welfare Department to resolve any problems without opening a child abuse case. These bills are currently awaiting a hearing and implementation is expected after the 2005 legislative season closes.