Abstract
Statement of Problem
The majority of program participants of the Salvation Army Depot Family Crisis Center are parents with young children who generally have limited resources and substance abuse issues. These circumstances have contributed to their becoming homeless and either involved with or at risk of being involved with the Child Protective Service agencies. In reviewing the literature, working with the administration at the Salvation Army Depot Family Crisis Center, and interacting with the participants, there was an overwhelming consensus that timely information on the child welfare system, and in particular, the Child Protective Service agency, would be beneficial to the program participants.
Sources of Data
In order to explore this expressed need further, a questionnaire was created to survey the program participants as to what information should be included in a manual on the child welfare services system, especially the Child Protective Service agency. Seventy-three percent of the residents at the Crisis Center (24 of33) participated in taking the questionnaire. Sixty-three percent of-those who participated had experienced involvement with a Child Protective Services agency.
Conclusions Reached
All of those participating in the questionnaire e:,q,ressed that a manual for this purpose would be helpful. The participants also identified many topical areas that should be included in this manual.