Controversial issues in child welfare / edited by Eileen Gambrill, Theodore J. Stein.

Includes bibliographical references.

I. Debates about the Problem. Is Poverty a Key Contributor to Child Maltreatment? Yes / Leroy H. Pelton. No / Joel S. Milner. Does Abuse as a Child Result in Irreparable Harm in Adulthood? Yes / Julie L. Crouch. No / Susan J. Zuravin. No / Robert W. Weinbach. Can Most Child Maltreatment Be Prevented? Yes / James Garbarino. No / Mary K. Rodwell and Donald E. Chambers -- II. Debates about Practice. Do Services to Preserve the Family Place Children at Unnecessary Risk? Yes / Mary Beth Seader. No / Kristine E. Nelson. Should the Police Have Greater Authority in Investigating Cases of Suspected Child Abuse? Yes / Duncan Lindsey and Wesley E. Hawkins. No / Thomas P. McDonald and Nico Trocme. Should Psychological Tests Be Used in Making Decisions Related to Child Maltreatment? Yes / Joel S. Milner. No / Robert A. Caldwell, G. Anne Bogat and William S. Davidson II. Will Computer-Based Expert Systems Improve Decisions Made about Children? Yes / John R. Schuerman. No / Will Johnson.

Does Worker Discretion in Implementing Agency Policy Compromise Attainment of Agency Objectives? Yes / Eileen Gambrill. No / Brenda G. McGowan. Have External Review Systems Improved the Quality of Care for Children? Yes / Catheleen Jordan. No / Cynthia Franklin. Should Foster Parents Be Given First Preference in Adoption of Their Foster Children? Yes / William Meezan. No / William Meezan. Do Assessment Centers for Children and Youth Deliver What They Promise? Yes / Cynthia Franklin. No / Catheleen Jordan -- III. Debates about Training. Should Child Welfare Workers Have an MSW? Yes / Lois W. Abramczyk. No / Alice Liberman. Should Child Welfare Workers Be Required to Pass Periodic Competency Tests? Yes / Richard Sullivan. No / Barbara Needell -- IV. Debates about Policy Issues. Does State Discretion in Implementing Federal Policy Compromise Attainment of Policy Objectives? Yes / Theodore J. Stein. No / Burton Gummer. Are Legal Definitions of Child Abuse Too Broad? Yes / Rebecca L. Hegar.

No / Richard Sullivan. Should Adoption Records Be Opened? Yes / Kenneth W. Watson. No / Mary Beth Seader. No / Elaine M. Walsh. Should Interracial Adoptions Be Permitted? Yes / Joan Shireman. No / Joan Shireman -- V. Debates about Evaluation of Services. Has Permanency Planning Been Successful? Yes / Marianne Berry. No / Leroy H. Pelton. Does Institutional Care Do More Harm Than Good? Yes / Ira M. Schwartz. No / Jerome Beker. Are Intensive Family Preservation Services Effective? Yes / Peter J. Pecora. No / Tina L. Rznepniki.