Child welfare education and training: future trends and influences

Based on a review of current economic, political, social, and professional trends, the authors propose recommendations for child welfare education and training. Future partnerships between child welfare agencies and schools of social work will need to incorporate cross-system collaboration, multiculturalism, and family-centered approaches with a broader conceptualization of child well-being.

Barriers to social network interventions with persons with severe and persistent mental illness: a survey of mental health case managers

In order to empirically assess the existence, strength, and relative influence of barriers to social network interventions for persons with severe mental disability which have been cited in the literature, a survey of the knowledge and attitudes of social networks and social network interventions of eighty mental health case managers and case management supervisors was conducted. Findings indicate gaps in case managers' level of knowledge of social networks, with items based on empirical knowledge about social networks and severe mental disability least likely to be answered correctly. Case managers both perceive, and have experienced, a significant number of obstacles that affect their ability to develop social network interventions-system barriers (paperwork, caseload size, lack of case manager time, etc.), community barriers (stigma and lack of resources), and client/family barriers (lack of interest in social networks, clients having a "burnt out" network, clients not wanting to identify social network needs, etc.). Case managers cited few major barriers pertaining to their own level of knowledge, skills, or interest in, social network interventions. Strategies to address identified barriers are presented.

Maternal substance abuse: protecting the child, preserving the family

Maternal substance abuse has sparked an intense debate among child welfare practitioners and policymakers. At issue is how best to work effectively with substance-abusing mothers while protecting children from harm that might result from the parents' addiction and preserving a family in which the child can be reared. This article evaluates the scope of the problem, its impact on the delivery of child welfare services, and implications for service provision.

Strengthening social networks: intervention strategies for mental health case managers

The enhancement of social support networks for people with chronic mental illness is an important thrust of case management services. However, despite the worthy intentions of the National Institute of Mental Health Community Support Program, the development of comprehensive, community-based social support systems for people with chronic mental illness remains an elusive goal. Case managers face many obstacles in their efforts to enhance the natural support systems of their clients, and they need specific training in social network interventions with individuals with mental illness to overcome these obstacles. This article presents conceptual framework of social network interventions and discusses obstacles to enhancing natural support systems. The need for community resource development, especially in the building of community ties, is highlighted.

Preparing practitioners for child welfare practice with substance-abusing families

Child welfare practice and substance abuse treatment have become overlapping areas for many human service professionals. This article stresses the importance of combining perspectives, calling for the child welfare and alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse treatment systems to deal with both the mother's recovery and the child's well-being. Changes in attitudes, knowledge, and skills are required on the part of both the child welfare practitioner and the AOD abuse treatment worker.