Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.

1. Although federal legislation has provided guidelines defining child abuse and neglect, tremendous variations still exist among the states in these definitions. Using the Child Welfare Information Gateway, identify the definitions of child abuse for two different states. Compare and contrast these definitions and explain which you prefer and why.   

2. Choose one of the U.S. child welfare policies presented in your textbook or found in current research. Using the website cited above, research this policy in depth. What ideologies do you identify in this policy? What are the strengths and weaknesses inherent in this policy? How would you revise this policy to ensure a nondiscriminatory application that adequately protects children and families?