An Answer to Abuse and Struggle: Child and Family Services

When one thinks of family services, what comes to mind? Many people choose not to think of the details that may have occurred for an adult or child to need these services. Family services, are a branch of human services/social services, government affiliated or non-profit, that help individuals in need. The most common cases are ones dealing with abuse, whether emotional, physical, or otherwise. Most use these services, because they have no other options, as they have usually been through unfortunate circumstances. Child and family services may be mandatory if there is proven abuse within a family.

There are no real qualifications to be considered for social services/human services. Once abuse is proven, one is eligible for protection. The most common type of child and family services, are that of child welfare; this due to neglect being the most common form of maltreatment. Special needs, and physical disability may also warrant the need for family services; most States in The U.S. have a sufficient number of organizations for anyone needing them.

There has been controversy with family services, saying that these programs benefit mostly the middle and high classes, with no visible benefit to the lower classes, which many believe to be the class affected most by abuse, and the most in need of family services, child welfare services, and social services. It has been reported that a majority of aid (nearly half) goes to families with income over the national median. This has been linked to why lower class families seem to need family services and child welfare services; some say that financial strain leads to the maltreatment of a child. Regardless of the views of others, the fact remains that if someone is in true need of assistance or help, family services will intervene. All-in-all, one must be sure to take the first step to receiving the assistance they need, to combat once and for all, the effects of abuse and hardship they have endured.