This one-stop resource explores the leading child welfare issues facing the USA today, as well as the laws, programs, and policy prescriptions that have been implemented or suggested to address pressing child welfare problems. In doing so, the book surveys the perspectives of lawmakers, child advocacy organizations, and scholars, as well as parents and children.
Moving through centuries of US history, Child Welfare in America ranges from the child labor practices of the nineteenth century to contemporary anxieties about affordable child care, underperforming schools, screen time and social media pressures, and abusive family environments.
Readers will better understand the range of factors affecting child welfare, including the cost of good child care, alcohol and drug abuse in family settings, homelessness, educational opportunities, teen pregnancy, and more. The book also surveys the perspectives of lawmakers, child advocacy organizations, and scholars, as well as parents and children.
Profiles of important advocacy organizations, agencies and individuals outline the approaches to child welfare issues and policies throughout the centuries.

Preface
Chapter 1: Background and History
Chapter 2: Problems, Controversies, and Solutions
Chapter 3: Perspectives
The Words We Chose to Use Really Matter When We Advocate for Kids
David Alexander, Founder and President of Leading for Kids, USA

Reconciling Child Protection and Family Support in Child Welfare
Christopher G. Hudson, Professor Emeritus, School of Social Work, Salem State College, USA
Helping Children Protect Themselves: Unofficial Caregiver Duties in Foster Care
Eric Knudsen
If We Really Cared We'd Do Better by Kids
Diane Nilan
Equity-Minded Child Welfare Practice with Immigrant Latino Families
Yvonne Ruiz, Professor of Social Work at Salem State College, USA
Chapter 4: Profiles
Introduction
Leaders in Child Welfare
Edith Abbott (1876-1957)
Jane Addams (1860-1935)
Walter Baily (1925-2023)
Janie Porter Barrett (1865-1948)
Ellen Bassuk (1945-
Jetta Bernier (1948-)
Martha Branscombe (1910-1997)
T. Barry Brazelton (1918-2018)
Charles Loring Brace (1826-1890)
Mamie Phipps Clark (1917-1983)
Grace Coyle (1892-1962)
Margaret Daniel (1908-1997)
Loula Friend Dunn (1896-1977)
Marion Wright Edelman (1939-)
David Finkelhor (1947-)
Lester Blackwell Granger (1896-1976)
Howard Gustafson (1916-1966)
Eulene Hawkins (1906-1999)
Carmen Ortiz Hendricks (1947-2016)
Sister Mary Paul Janchill (1920-2009)
Eglantyne Jebb (1876-1928)
Norma Gray "Cindy" Jones (1951-2017)
Henry Kempe (1922-1984)
Lillian C. Milanof (1922-2015)
Alfred Neumann (1910-2002)
Antonia Pantoja (1922-2012)
Frances Perkins (1880-1965)
Ruby Pernell (1917-2001)
Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry (1872-1943)
William "Bill" C. Pugh (1921-1989)
Helen Reinherz (1923-2017)
Mary Ellen Richmond (1861-1928)
John Myron Rockmore (1913-2002)
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
Jack Rothman (1927-)
Alvin Schorr (1921-2016)
Sabina Shalom (1925-)
Jack Shonkoff (1947-)
Barbara K. Shore (1921-2013)
Carrie Steele Logan (1829-1900)
John van Hengel (1923-2005)
John A. Wallace (1915-2000)
Ida B. Wells (1862-1931)
Thomas C. Wells (1957-)
Major Government Related Child Welfare Organizations
Administration for Children, Youth & Families (ACYF)
Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ADD)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Chapin Hall
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Children's Bureau
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Families and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Head Start
Military Child Development Program
National Conference of State Legislatures
National Governor's Association
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
US Department of Education (DOE)
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
US Department of Justice
US Department of Labor
US Department of Transportation
Major Non-Government Related Child Welfare Organizations
AdoptUSKids
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
American Public Welfare Association (APWA)
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Association for Successful Parenting
Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical
Assistance (AAICAMA)
AVANCE, Inc.
Casey Family Programs
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare at the University of Minnesota School of
Social Work (CASCW)
Center for the Developing Child
Center for State Child Welfare Data
Center for Violence and Injury Prevention
Child Friendly Communities Initiative (CFCI)
Child Molestation Research & Prevention Institute
Child Trends
Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)
Child Help
Children's Defense Fund
Children's Health Fund (CHF)
Community Action Programs (CAP)
Community Action Agencies (CAA)
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Enough Abuse Campaign
Every Town for Gun Safety
Family and Youth Law Center
Feeding America
First Focus
Gen Justice
Hear US
National Center for Children in Poverty
National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA)
National Children's Advocacy Center
National Council on Child Abuse and Family Violence
Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA)
SchoolHouse Connection
Stop It Now!
UNICEF USA
United Way
Urban Institute
YMCA
Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights
Zero to Three
Chapter 5: Data and Documents
Introduction
The State of America's Children: A report by the Children's Defense Fund
Child Poverty in America. Report from the United Way
How Does The News Cover Child Welfare? Report from the Berkley Media Studies Group
What Would A Children First Welfare System Look Like? Report by the Brookings Institution
Hungry Children in America Report from Feeding America
Wellbeing of Young Children Experiencing Homelessness. Report by School House Connection
President Joe Biden's Build Back Better Act
Chapter 6: Resources
Chapter 7: Chronology
Glossary
Index

Yvonne Vissing is Professor of Healthcare Studies at Salem State University, USA. As Founding Director of the Salem State University Center for Childhood & Youth Studies in Massachusetts, she has created international partnerships with the University of Nottingham in England and Swansea University in Wales. She has also been appointed US Policy Chair by the International Hope For Children United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Policy Center. In addition, Vissing serves on the American Association for the Advancement of Science Human Rights Council and on the Steering Committee for Human Rights Educators USA (HREUSA).