Research Proposal: Child Welfare Regulations

This paper will investigate child welfare regulations to determine the appropriate action of reform. This topic was chosen because of its paramount importance for the wellbeing of all children. Child welfare regulations dictate standards of the health and safety for children in our country. This topic should appeal to a range of stakeholders involved in the care of children including parents, social workers, and politicians and policymakers. The issue of child welfare will have a lasting effect on future generations as they come of age in America. Child placement in foster care is rapidly increasing. Adherence to rigid child welfare regulations that do not consider individual needs of children should be reformed to lessen the strain on foster systems, allowing for them to better serve children in need.

This paper will provide a review of the current regulations on child welfare to examine areas most needed for social change, improvement, and reform. There will be a particular emphasis on the current state of foster care system. An extensive literature review will be used to identify current public concerns over inadequacies in the system. Any opposing viewpoints as to the way in which child welfare regulations should be reformed or upheld will be evaluated and discussed.

The inclusion of a case study on a typical placement of a child or children in foster care will be included. This will serve to objectively examine the circumstances for all parties involved from the child or children, the foster parents, and the foster care system. It is predicted that the perspective of individuals who currently work in child welfare services will help to shed light on this issue and develop and appropriate conclusion and recommendations for reform that will not solely be based on the fiscal concerns of policymakers and actually argue for the best possible care for our future generations.