title: Serious illness, injury, and death in child protection and preparation for end-of-life situations among child welfare services workers.
abstract: A mailed survey of child welfare workers in one southern state assessed various aspects of encounters with end-of-life situations in practice. Findings revealed that child deaths, children with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses, and parental deaths were most commonly encountered and that coworkers were relied on for support. Many had no specific end-of-life coursework in educational programs and fewer had continuing education in this area. These respondents indicated course content was most needed in the psychological and social needs of patients and families. Agencies can support staff by providing specific training on end-of-life issues that affect child welfare practice.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama School of Social Work, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA. ecsikai@sw.ua.edu
authors.forename: Ellen L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Csikai
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Herrin
authors.forename: Maggie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Wesley T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Church
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003625:Data Collection; D003643:Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries