Now, more than ever, children need help from their communities. The notion of mobilizing the eyes is intended to underscore that the well-being of children is a shared responsibility that concerns all of us. Stay-at-home measures are isolating children and placing victims in constant contact with their abusers. Uncertainty, job loss and financial strains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are contributing to a highly stressful home environment, increasing the risk of abuse to vulnerable children.
According to a report from ABC News, calls to state child welfare hotlines have seen drastic reductions; some seeing more than a 50% decrease. This is not an indication of decreased levels of abuse and neglect, but a red flag that problems are not being identified. At the same time, hospitals are reporting increases in emergency room visits. In Fort Worth, Texas, it was reported that of 7 children who were hospitalized for abuse in one week 2 died compared to a norm of 10 deaths per year.
The majority of suspected abuse and neglect calls are made by individuals who no longer have the same degree of “eyes on” personal interaction with children – mandated reporters who have a legal obligation to make such reports, including; doctors, nurses, police and teachers. Teachers are the source of a high percentage of reports, as they spend so much time daily with children. The Colorado Department of Human Services estimates that teachers typically account for 40% of the calls to their Hotline. As schools have closed around the country and much of the distance learning is self-paced, children have lost this vital advocate.
So, how can agencies, providers and communities expand beyond the traditional approach of mandated reporters to ensure children are safe? As we all keep saying, this is an unprecedented event that calls for increased cross sector collaboration and creative thinking about new solutions that may not have been top of mind in the past.
Here are four ideas that might help child welfare agencies mobilize the eyes:
- Engage and Activate: Engage with non-traditional members of the community who might have exposure to children (e.g. mail carriers, grocery clerks, pharmacy workers, convenience stores, churches, food pantries, and/or restaurants) and leverage technology to increase communication. For community members it’s important they know what to look for and who to call if they suspect abuse or neglect.Launch a tactical public campaign that provides the hotline number and key signs that community members can look for as indications of abuse and neglect. Encourage community members to check in on families they know may be at risk.To create enhanced opportunities for outreach and communications, consider posting ads through mobile apps that kids commonly use, providing them information on who to call, text, or email if they feel scared or have been hurt. Give them an easy button to initiate a safety check.
- Proactive Outreach: Recognizing the increased stressors on families, make outbound calls to families known to the system for well checks (where supported by policy) to see if they know who to call for help with basic needs and other support services. This could be done by leveraging the infrastructure and available capacity of the hotlines.
- Strengthen collaboration with schools: Most child welfare agencies already have strong partnerships with schools. Creative engagement with schools (who are similarly situated in having to adapt to a very different practice environment) could yield some effective strategies. There are a host of challenges that schools are facing:new technology to learn and deploy, shifts in approaches to teaching, and coming up with ideas to keep kids engaged during this disruptive time.Reach out to schools to explore on how they might monitor for safety with children through distance learning platforms. Consider incorporating questions that can be asked to help assess how children are faring or establishing safe words for children who may feel compromised. There may be signs that teachers can look for in reviewing the child’s work whether it be narrative or art work. Another strategy might be revisiting physical signs that could be evident in group sessions, if they are able to see the children. This collaborative approach and the tools being used may be the only safe space a child has to interact with other adults.
- Join forces with community partners: Refresh staff knowledge of the local supports that are available for children and families.Organize local responses across programs and sectors to maximize reach and leverage care coordinators from other domains, such as a local 211 Help Centers, food banks, and faith-based organizations. Help community partners to understand the warning signs of abuse and neglect.
By getting the message out more broadly and reaching beyond the traditional mandated reporters, child welfare agencies can mobilize additional eyes on children. NOW is the time to take preventative measures before exposure and risk escalate further.
