Are We Prepared? Child Welfare Work With Parents With Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities

Child protection services and parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities

“…It is unclear whether the over‐representation of parents with disability is due to an unprepared CPS system which does not provide adequate services, modifications and/or accommodations for parents with disabilities to achieve case plan goals or if it is apparent inherent bias of CPS workers, supervisors and court professionals (including lawyers, guardian ad litem and judges). Research and practice wisdom suggests that it is likely a combination of both of an unprepared and biased system, which includes the workforce (LaLiberte, ; Llewellyn et al., ; McConnell & Llewellyn, , ; McConnell et al., ,b).…”

“…Training across all sectors of the CPS workforce, specifically training on successfully engaging, assessing and working with parents with IDD is imperative. The CPS workforce is aware of their need for increased training and preparation for working with parents with IDD (LaLiberte, ). The infrastructure for this type of CPS training reform already exists although it is underutilized.…”

“…The infrastructure for this type of CPS training reform already exists although it is underutilized. Specifically, competencies for working with parents with IDD have been developed (Institute for Human Services, ; LaLiberte, ; Rycus & Hughes, ) and are available for use and/or expansion by local CPS jurisdictions. The competencies may require augmentation dependent upon local practice and policy, as well as the existence of preventative services that may serve to meet the needs of parents with IDD (LaLiberte, ).…”

“…Child welfare law and related US legislation fail to address aspects of parenting with IDD. The Keeping Children and Family Safe Act is currently the only federal legislation that provides non‐discriminatory, broad‐based guidance designed to support CPS professionals in collaborating with others to assess and provide services to parents with IDD (Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974; LaLiberte, ). The Act emphasizes collaborations between related agencies (e.g., mental health, public health and CPS agencies) (Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974; LaLiberte, ; Leslie et al., ) but does not provide guidance about best practices or required efforts to support parents with IDD (or any other type of disability).…”

“…CPS agencies do not generally promote the use of best practices for working with parents with IDD (Booth, ; McConnell, Llewellyn, & Ferronato, ; Tymchuk et al., ), leaving the workforce without the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to provide appropriate CPS assessment and intervention services (Booth, ; LaLiberte, ; McConnell & Llewellyn, ; Tymchuk, ). Lack of guidance and supportive attitudes from policymakers and organizations affects the ability of CPS professionals to manage the cases of parents with IDD, and in consequence, parents with IDD are provided brief, ineffective and stop gap assistance (Booth & Booth, ; Hayman, ; LaLiberte, ; LaLiberte & Lightfoot, ; McConnell & Llewellyn, ; McGaha, ; Tymchuk, ; Tymchuk et al., ).…”