Alternative Response

Maltreated children are at risk for significant psychological and physical health symptoms. These include anxiety, depression, suicide, impulsivity, hyperactivity, interpersonal problems, hyper arousal, and dissociation (Lawson, 2009). Unfortunately, many families with children who face challenges such as child maltreatment have been investigated by the local Department of Social Services for incidents which may be minor or severe. Families in Maryland who experience child maltreatment such as leaving a child unattended, lack of food supply, and poor parental support have an option called Alternative Response (AR). The Department of Human Resources collaborated with stakeholders, advocates, experts, community service providers, and local social services department offices known as the Alternative Response Advisory Council to create Maryland's AR program (Rock, 2014). Many times, the case worker and families’ relationship may be argumentative due to child maltreatment experienced by children. AR has been created to help eliminate negative …show more content…
The involvement of the entire family can be significant when raising a child in an unstable environment. Rock (2014), states the Alternative Response Advisory council has incorporated best practices that can advance the AR program and assist child welfare workers with planning interventions for families in Maryland who are at risk. The Alternative Response Advisory continuously works to ensure that all current issues can be identified and fixed in an area perceived to be in great need of services. Evaluators have revised Maryland's AR program to determine whether children and families with AR cases are safe as well as receiving proper services (Rock, 2014). Advocates for children will continue to support Alternative Response because every child welfare case is sensitive and measures to determine what services are needed to provide healthy lives children and