1. Your task is to research what experts in the field of child development say

1. Your task is to research what experts in the field of child development
say are the neurological/cognitive, social, and emotional impacts of abuse
and/or neglect are on overall child development.
2. What are the characteristics/risk factors that are most commonly
associated with poverty and how might these increase a child’s risk for
abuse and/or neglect?
3. What do experts believe is the best way to intervene and/or provide
resources for at-risk families in order to improve the overall well-being for
affected children? Have interventions to address poverty and it’s impact on
child development been successful to date? Have any interventions
improved and/or deteriorated conditions for at-risk children? If intervention
is possible, is there a critical time period in which it needs to begin?
Please research this issue and provide detailed answers to the questions
listed. Your summary should be a review of applicable literature and not an
opinion piece. Please cite your sources in the body of your work and be
mindful that not all sources are equal. Some sources are more legitimate
and worthwhile than others. Peer reviewed articles on the topic are a
reliable source of information so please reference this material while
collecting your research.
In this unit we are learning about the abuse and neglect of children. It is
important to understand not only what is classified as abuse and neglect,
but also to understand the triggers which may place a child at high risk.
While not all children who live in impoverished neighborhoods are abused,
there are a large number of children who have been abused that are living
in poverty.
According to the ‘Poverty Fact Sheet’ put out by the National Center for
Infants, Toddlers, and Families, the impact of poverty on child development
is significant. Poverty significantly impacts child development in numerous
ways.
Poverty, as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS), is defined in the following table:
Family of Federal Poverty Level Low Income
2 $14,570 $29,140
3 $18,310 $36,620
4 $22,050 $44,100
It has been determined that for families to meet their most basic needs that
they need an income that is equal to, or greater, than twice the federal
poverty level. Those who have incomes that are 100% to 200% are
categorized as being low income.
“Infants and toddlers account for 25% of the population, yet have the
highest poverty rates of any age group in the United States. In all
race/ethnicity groups, children in single-parent families are much more
likely to be poor than children living in households headed by married
parents.” Zero to Three.