According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 2017 Child Maltreatment Report, there were 4.1 million referrals to Child Protective Services involving 7.5 million children. Of those referrals, 3.5 million situations were investigated and 674,000 children were determined to be victims of maltreatment. The report lists neglect and physical abuse as the most common forms of child maltreatment. Such abuse is traumatic for all children. In the case of adopted children, it may intensify trauma that children have already experienced as part of the loss and grief associated with the adoption process. To help prepare families for the challenges of adoptive parenthood, Catholic Charities provides extensive training before families are ever matched with a child. We want to ensure that families are knowledgeable and aware of how to handle a variety of issues that may arise, from their own sense of loss to their new child’s struggles with anger and adjustment. Adoption and parenthood are stressful, but they are also one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. We want to help make that experience a positive one for all family members. The U.S. Children’s Bureau has put together a complete resource kit to help families and caregivers prevent child abuse.
Be on the lookout for tips and links for parents in the coming weeks!
