An Enormous Task
Thank you for the article on child-abuse investigators in San Diego County (“Child Abuse Batters Investigators as Well as Victims,” March 31). The frustrations and heavy toll on the emotions of those who work to protect children was very well portrayed.
Dr. David Chadwick and I have talked, and I would like to correct an erroneous impression about San Diego County’s social workers that was left by his remarks. There are over 640 social workers in the county’s Childrens Services who deal directly with abused, neglected and molested children; 389 of those workers have graduate degrees in social work or family and child counseling. Those of our staff who do not have graduate degrees are required to have 24 units in behavioral sciences and at least two years’ protective services experience.
In addition, every newly hired social worker receives five weeks of classroom and field training before being assigned to ongoing casework. The remainder of the new employee’s first-year work is closely monitored by his or her supervisor. This training and supervision is unsurpassed by any other California county.
Because of the large growth of child-abuse referrals in the past few years, we have added a number of new social workers. These “rookies,” however, are well trained and supervised. They do their work professionally. The only way to not have a “first case” is to not be a Childrens Services worker. If we don’t have people willing to take on the “first case” we won’t have people working to protect children.
Services to children in San Diego are good. With over 5,500 potential abuse calls to the Child Abuse Hotline each month, children are well served. If they weren’t, many more children would end up with severe injuries, or worse, than come to your attention.
As a result of your article, I hope your readers understand the enormity of the child-abuse problems that daily confront social workers, the medical community, law enforcement and the courts.
R.L. FELLERS
Deputy Director
County of San Diego
Department of Social Services
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