Child Welfare and Public Policy

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 vitally important, there also need be strict policies governing the prosecution and punishment of the abusers. In the past, numerous policy proposals were centered on establishing preset sentences for abusers, however because the courts are hesitant to believe young children, these policies failed more often than not. …