THE FIELD CENTER
for Children's Policy, Practice & Research
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In the NewsA Government That Works Bigthink.com, November 9, 2009 In a free-market society, distinguishing between rights and privileges has become a murky and often quarrelsome decision. Here Richard Gelles, the Dean of Penn’s School of Social Policy, pinpoints our key misconception of the role of social programs. The Case for the Public Option Bigthink.com, November 8, 2009 Richard Gelles, the Dean of UPenn’s School of Social Policy, argues that universal healthcare is basic human entitlement. Charleeni Ferreira and the Challenges of the Child Welfare System WHYY Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane, October 29, 2009 Ten year old Charleeni Ferreira died last week in Philadelphia from injuries related to physical abuse. Her family was the subject of several abuse investigations and she was seen by health care providers over the course of several years. We talk about this case and the challenges facing the child welfare system and the people who work in it. Guests include University of Pennsylvania's Richard Gelles, Margie Gualtieri of the Support Center for Child Advocates and Jackie Block Goldstein from the Philadelphia Children's Alliance. Link to Podcast (Click the link for a streaming podcast, or right click and "save link as" to download the MP3 file) It's the duty of us all to stop child abuse Philadelphia Inquirer, October 27, 2009 "Child abuse can't be investigated unless someone reports it. Unfortunately, we live in a no-snitch culture," says Debra Schilling Wolfe of the University of Pennsylvania's Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice and Research. "And children are afraid to tell. If they do, it's going to get worse." Mission Possible Norristown Times Herald, October 8, 2009 The long-envisioned Mission Kids child advocacy center has found a place to call home. The first-of-its-kind facility in Montgomery County, championed by District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, held its grand opening Wednesday at an office in East Norriton. Ferman Talks About Mission Kids Good Day Philadelphia, October 7, 2009 Risa Vetri Ferman, District Attorney of Montgomery County and co-founder of Mission Kids, joins Abbie Newman to talk about a unique public outreach program. Arise Academy: The First Charter School Exclusively for Foster Care Children WHYY Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane, September 24, 2009 There are almost 21 thousand foster children in Pennsylvania, and more than 5 thousand in Philadelphia. But they're not staying in school: Between 2000 and 2004, more than 75 percent of Philadelphia students in foster care dropped out of school. To those shattering statistics, a novel response is being tried: A new charter school has just opened in Philadelphia devoted solely to foster children. Guest host Dave Davies talks with Jill Welsh Davis, board president and founder of the Arise Academy, and Debra Schilling Wolfe of the Field Center at Penn, a leading expert on children’s welfare, about foster children in Philadelphia. Link to Podcast (Click the link for a streaming podcast, or right click and "save link as" to download the MP3 file) Field of Dreams - and Challenges - for Children The Pennsylvania Gazette, September/October 2009 Senior editor Samuel Hughes interviews Executive Director Debra Schilling Wolfe about the current challenges and opportunities for the Field Center. Penn's Field Center's Partnership to Design New Technology for Use in Montgomery County Child Welfare University of Pennsylvania Almanac, September 8, 2009 The Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice and Research at the University of Pennsylvania announced a partnership with Montgomery County, PA, Stewards of Change, Microsoft Corp. and Motorola to pilot the Information Portability Project. Prince William County Social Services Director Wants to Overhaul System Washington Post, August 25, 2009 Richard Gelles, dean at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, said real change in an organization with the size and scope of social services requires sustained efforts. Va. Couple Shot in Murder-Suicide, Police Say Washington Post, August 22, 2009 Experts say increased domestic violence could be one byproduct of the tension of the economic crisis. Information Portability in Child Welfare Social Work Today, August 2009 The child welfare system may soon receive a big, and much-needed, shot of IT—with the potential to drastically improve both children’s and caseworkers’ safety. National Institute of Justice Panel Explores Familicide Phenomenon Corrections.com, July 27, 2009 On June 2, 2009, the National Institute of Justice convened a panel of experts to discuss research findings and possible ways to prevent future familicides from occurring. Domestic violence is an issue that should concern everyone Pensacola Business Journal, July 24, 2009 What is ... unsettling are statistics that show children who grow up in a violent home are more likely to continue the abuse as abusers and will be arrested for violent crimes. UPenn pilot program to design 'PDAs on steroids' for Montgomery County child welfare caseworkers Family Killers Reveal Patterns St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 28, 2009 It's hard to make sense of stories about a family man accused of killing his wife and two children. But experts in domestic violence say there are behavioral patterns associated with the crimes that can help answer some troubling questions. Link to Article (.pdf file, requires Adobe Reader to view) UPenn Unveils New System to Track Children's Welfare KYW Newsradio, May 24, 2009 A new program has been unveiled that will help improve child welfare. DHS Caseworkers Get High Tech Upgrade WHYY Radio, May 22, 2009 The University of Pennsylvania’s Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice and Research announced a new partnership today. The “Information Portability Project” is a collaboration with Montgomery County and business and advocacy groups. It’s designed to protect children and Department of Human Services workers. Link to Article (streaming audio also available at the link) High-tech partners aim to coordinate child welfare University of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County Partner on Integrated, Interoperable System Design for Child Welfare Reuters PRNewswire, May 21, 2009 Microsoft, Motorola Join Effort to Link Services, Caseworkers Despondent Dads Driven to Kill Loved Ones CNN, May 19, 2009 In some of this year's most disturbing cases of family violence, fathers have turned against their own flesh and blood. Penn's Field Center Celebrates Anniversary 13-Year-Old: "She Got Shot in the Head" Media General News Service, May 5, 2009 Troy Bellar fatally shot himself in his front yard Sunday evening with the same rifle he had used to kill his wife, Wendy, their 4-month-old son, Zachary, and their 8-year-old son, Ryan. Domestic Violence Rises During Downturn in the Economy Providence Journal, May 3, 2009 Some studies show that the amount of domestic violence is increasing, either in frequency or severity, in part, because of the weak economy. Dad Says Son Appeared Normal Before Polk Murder-Suicide Tampa Tribune, May 3, 2009 They can be tied to the nation's economic woes, said Richard Gelles, dean of the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. Are Familicides on the Rise? Babble Australia, April 30, 2009 Dr. Richard Gelles of the University of Pennsylvania says that today’s economic crisis is driving a spike in this type of crime, during which we can expect to see a dozen or more a year. Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice & Research: Five Years of Making a Difference University of Pennsylvania Almanac, April 28, 2009 “The Field Center’s fifth anniversary marks a milestone in our critical work to improve the systems that serve victims of child abuse and neglect,” Debra Schilling Wolfe, the Center’s executive director, said. Pediatricians to say 'abusive head trauma,' not 'shaken baby syndrome' USA Today, April 27, 2009 Dr. Cindy Christian, a co-author of the policy statement and a child abuse researcher at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said evidence shows babies can be injured by severe shaking alone but sometimes they have head injuries caused by other abuse as well. In Families' Tragic Deaths, a Hint of Paternalism Baltimore Sun, April 27, 2009 It wasn't the economy. It wasn't stress. It wasn't mental illness. It hit me the minute I heard the news - it was ownership. Md. Family of Five Laid to Rest Washington Post, April 25, 2009 Father, beset by financial pressure, killed wife, three children, and himself. Outrage over iPhone "Baby Shaker" app Philadelphia Inquirer, April 24, 2009 Searching for a silver lining, pediatrician Cindy Christian, co-director of the Center for Child Protection and Health at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, thanked Apple for finding "an unfortunate way to raise awareness" of child abuse. Familicides NPR Here & Now, April 23, 2009 We look at the deeply troubling and rare phenomenon of family murder suicides. Child Advocates to Examine Beating Death of Jamarr Cruz WHYY Radio, April 14, 2009 Professor Richard Gelles is the dean of the school of social policy and practice at the University of Pennsylvania. He says welfare agencies are not doing enough to make sure their therapy programs are working, and some perpetrators are beyond help. Link to Article (streaming audio also available at the link) Report on DHS Hits Return Rate Philadelphia Inquirer, September 11, 2008 A new, wide-ranging report that delivers both discouraging and hopeful news on child welfare in the city found that children discharged from Philadelphia's foster-care system reenter it at "extremely high rates." Municipalities Struggle To Adequately Train Social Workers NPR: Tell Me More, August 18, 2008 In light of the Danieal Kelly case, Tammy Linseisen, a professor at the University of Texas in Austin, and Debra Schilling Wolfe, of the Field Center for Children's Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, talk about training and supporting social workers, and other staff charged with keeping vulnerable children safe from harm. Link to Article (audio interview) Parents, Social Services Implicated in Child Neglect NPR: Tell Me More, August 18, 2008 Discussion of the Danieal Kelly case. Link to Article (audio interview) First Steps to Fixing the DHS Philadelphia Inquirer - Op-Ed, August 8, 2008 To change how the agency serves children, begin with a foundation. Link to Article (.pdf file, requires Adobe Reader to view) No More Danieals Philadelphia Daily News, August 7, 2008 What some experts say about fixing the problem. Link to Article (.pdf file, requires Adobe Reader to view) 7 More Social Workers Are Suspended in Death of Girl, 14 New York Times, August 5, 2008 Philadelphia city officials on Monday suspended seven more social workers accused of negligence in connection with the starvation death of a 14-year-old disabled girl in a city agency’s care. A New Place...for Children to Feel Safe Norristown Times Herald, November 25, 2007 Montgomery County, PA's efforts to open a child advocacy center, aided by the Field Center. City stays course at Tenn. child center Philadelphia Inquirer, October 11, 2007 Though a teen's death there was ruled a homicide, DHS said the rest of its youths couldn't be removed any faster. Cradle to a Quick Grave Philadelphia Daily News, April 16, 2007 "The leading cause of death in infancy is prematurity, but every child homicide concerns me," said Dr. Cindy Christian, a consultant on the city's child fatality review team and chairwoman of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Link to Article (.pdf file, requires Adobe Reader to view) Police on lookout for other assault victims of lawyer Philadelphia Inquirer, January 18, 2007 Richard Gelles, dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice and an expert in child welfare issues, said police should be expected to seek other possible victims in such a case. Link to Article (.pdf file, requires Adobe Reader to view) City won't release DHS data: the city solicitor denied an Inquirer request for internal reviews of child abuse deaths Philadelphia Inquirer, November 18, 2006 "DHS is the only agency in the city that does their own investigation and then it doesn't release the results," said Richard Gelles, dean of the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. Link to Article (.pdf file, requires Adobe Reader to view) The pique behind the scenes on DHS Philadelphia Inquirer, October 22, 2006 Richard Gelles, dean of the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania, said he was glad to hear that Street planned to include outsiders. "The devil is in the details," he said. Link to Article (.pdf file, requires Adobe Reader to view) "Bury your mistakes": despite DHS vows of reform, children it checks on are still dying Philadelphia Inquirer, October 15, 2006 "In Philadelphia, you can bury your mistakes," said Richard Gelles, dean of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Work. Link to Article (.pdf file, requires Adobe Reader to view) Biases, mimicking disorders confound child abuse dx. Clinical Psychiatry News, July 1, 2006 Child abuse remains one of the most misdiagnosed problems in all of pediatrics, Dr. Cindy Christian said at a meeting of the Eastern Society for Pediatric Research. Link to Article (.pdf file, requires Adobe Reader to view) States Underserve Disabled Foster Kids, Study Says NPR All Things Considered, May 4, 2006 [Gelles] says many state agencies don't discover disabled children's problems early enough. Link to Article (streaming audio also available at link) Trans-racial Adoption Debate Rages Philadelphia Inquirer, April 16, 2006 About 28 percent of children in the public welfare system end up in adoptive homes where at least one parent is of a different race or ethnicity than the child, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A Plea to Return Boy to Foster Family Philadelphia Inquirer, April 15, 2006 The court-appointed guardian for a 3-year-old foster child removed last week from a Downingtown-area family has called on Chester County to reverse itself and allow the family to adopt him. Corzine Making Right Move on DYFS Philadelphia Inquirer - Reader Response, April 14, 2006 Correcting the shortcomings in DYFS is a daunting task, yet one that must be met with concrete planning, a sense of urgency, and a focus on results. A Law's Fallout: Women in Prison Fight for Custody Wall Street Journal, February 27, 2006 It encourages adoption of many foster kids; mothers lose contact. Appeal Judges Back Meadow The Guardian UK, July 23, 2005 In the appeal court, Dr. Cindy Christian, associate professor of paediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania, gave evidence by video link for the Crown Prosecution Service and backed Prof Meadow's conclusions over Shane's death. The Tavis Smiley Show Interview with Dr. Carol Spigner WHYY 91 FM Radio, May 24, 2004 Child Welfare Must Become Real Priority Athens Banner Herald, January 5, 2004 Keeping children safe and secure ought to be easy. Sadly, in a world where families are dissolving, where children are taught that many adults can't be trusted and where the systems designed to protect children in need are in crisis, it is not. Dr. Carol Wilson Spigner Given Award for Pioneering Work in Adoption Press Release, November 1, 2002 Hailed as one of the foremost leaders in adoption today by the Child Welfare League of America, Carol Wilson Spigner has been given the organization’s Pioneer in Adoption award. Interview with Dr. Richard Gelles and Dr. Cindy Christian WHYY 91 FM Radio Times, October 1, 2002 Listen to this show (You must have Real One Player) Equal Access to Education Philadelphia Inquirer, September 3, 2002 This week, while children across the state are sharpening their pencils and readying their backpacks, some youngsters in Pennsylvania won't be enrolled in school. A month from now, many of them still will be waiting. They are among the state's 23,000 foster children, kids placed temporarily in other homes because their parents cannot oversee their care. Easing a World of Hurt Philadelphia Inquirer, July 8, 2002 Most of us wouldn't want to work in Dr. Cindy Christian's world. Oh, we would enthusiastically approve of her goal - protecting children from abuse. But we wouldn't want to work in her world, where young ones have adult-sized medical histories of bruises, fractures and intimate invasions. Child development know-how unmasks child abuse cases Pediatric News, July 1, 2002 Primary care physicians are in the best position to identify certain cases of child abuse because of their understanding of child development, Dr. Cindy Christian and Dr. Randy Alexander agreed in a joint presentation at the annual meeting of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Why child agencies lose kids Christian Science Monitor, June 6, 2002 Rilya Wilson's story, everyone acknowledges, is appalling. It is the subject of astonishment from the street corners of Cuban barrios to Fort Lauderdale's wholefoods markets: How could Florida simply lose one of its foster children? Colposcope documents child sexual abuse exam: but doesn't always provide evidence Patient Education Management, April 1, 2002 While the German court system may be different than that in the United States, the use of the colposcope in examinations of sexually abused children does not change the need for the victim's testimony in the United States, says Cindy Christian, MD, chair of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a frequent expert witness in child sexual abuse cases. Grandparent Custody Rights: Best Interest of the Child or Interference with a Parent's Prerogative |