Understanding Complex and Chronic Neglect

This is a 3-hour course designed to take a deeper dive into the dynamics of chronic and complex child neglect.

Participants will consider effective ways to engage and assess families where neglect is present and how to evaluate each child’s unique characteristics, including how each child’s needs are impacted by neglectful behaviors and conditions in the home. We will look at how the impacts of substance misuse, unaddressed mental health concerns, domestic violence and cognitive challenges may interrupt the parent/child relationship resulting in unmet child needs.

Specific child vulnerabilities, parent characteristics and home conditions identified in the SDM-RA will also be a focal point. Participants will learn about how they can support children and families where chronic neglect is present to reduce risk and increase safety using formal and informal supports.

Finally, participants will also spend time exploring when risk becomes a safety threat in chronic neglect cases and how to share that information in staffings and court proceedings that effectively express the concerns regarding the family.