Document Type

Article

Abstract

This report is the first study to provide national information regarding the incidence of child abuse or neglect in Indian communities. It also provides comprehensive assessments of the effectiveness of Indian Health Service (IHS) and tribal policies, procedures, and personnel in the recognition and treatment of child abuse and neglect. The report also designs an intervention program flexible enough to be used by American Indian and Alaska Native AI/AN communities across the country. The project described in the report was conducted in three phases. Each phase contained several distinct, but interrelated, components. Phase I included a review of IHS policy and procedures on child abuse and neglect, and a survey and on-site data collection regarding the incidence of child abuse and neglect. Phase II included evaluation of the data obtained in Phase I,additional research and on-site assessments, and the development of a model intervention program. Phase III involved surveying tribal service providers, implementing the model program (New Beginnings) at a pilot site, and disseminating information about this project to Indian communities. The report also discusses the role of IHS in addressing issues of child maltreatment and makes recommendations about how IHS can better fulfill its responsibilities in this area. The report concludes that IHS should promote individual, family, and community wellness; identify families at-risk and provide needed services and links to community resources; and provideadequate treatment and services for identified cases. The report includes an eleven page executive summary.

Publication Date

1997

Publisher

Indian Health Service, Office of Public Health, Staff Office of Planning, Evaluation and Research, Rockville, MD.

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