Incidents of Abuse and Neglect Cases among Middle School students during COVID 19, 2020-2021

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

Ivan Page Dr., Albany State UniversityFollow

First Presenter's Institution

Albany State University

First Presenter’s Email Address

ipage53955@gmail.com

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Dr. Ivan Page is a tenured Associate Professor of Social Work at Albany State University in Albany, Ga. At Albany State University he teaches courses in family development, social policy theory, community organization and legal issues in social work. He also teaches a Marriage and Family course at Clayton State University. Over the years Dr. Page has taught sociology, social work, psychology, and interdisciplinary courses to a diverse student body at Clayton State University, DeVry University, and Spelman College.

Second Presenter's Institution

N/A

Second Presenter’s Email Address

N/A

Location

Session Five Breakouts

Strand #1

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Strand #2

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Relevance

There is evidence of increased cases of child abuse and neglect due to the COVID 19 pandemic. School closures have resulted in children being home schooled and at home with parents or care givers that are not equipped to monitor learning expectations. Studies suggest that parents and care givers are displaying symptoms of emotional stress, depression, anxiety, and social distress. Our children are in danger primarily because of the lack of appropriate parental involvement and patience from fathers, mothers, and other care givers. The normal support services and educational activities that assist families have been severely disrupted due to the pandemic. Social workers and other health professionals have limited services to help families due to the pandemic safety protocols put in place by legislative officials. In general, the restrictive protocols have resulted in the lack of services that were once available to families that relieved stressful and economic situations.

Brief Program Description

This session will examine the impact of COVID 19 on middle school children learning remotely (at home) from May, 2020-July, 2021. The objective of this presentation is to (1) examine the number of abuse and neglect cases reported for this population, (2) the educational, social and psychological impact as a result of being home schooled, and (3) what type of programs and support services will this at-risk population need to facilitate their healing and development?

Summary

My workshop would focus on middle school students who are at risk due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Particular attention will be given to the lasting effects that at risk children could display because of abuse and neglected experiences. Particular attention will be given to the following.

• Family stress indicators.
• Increase in the number of abuse and neglect cases reported.
• Lack of social interaction resulting from social isolation.
• Lack of skills for caregivers responsible for children being at home everyday
• Services and programs to help this at-risk population

Evidence

Data for my research was gathered from a focus group of 25 social workers and school/health professionals in Southwest GA. Each social worker and school/health professional was asked a set of questions. Additional information was gathered from professional addressing children’s behavioral problems.

Finally, in relationship to my findings, I will also share with workshop participants, research from various journals such as the BC Medical Journal, research from Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, the Journal of Social Work Education, Journal of Children and Youths Services and the Journal of Early Adolescence and the Journal of Family Relationships

Learning Objective 1

Participants will gain an understanding of the impact of COVID 19 on middle grade students

Learning Objective 2

Participants will explore need programs and service to assist this at risk population.

Learning Objective 3

Participants an understanding parent and child interaction during COVID 19

Keyword Descriptors

Middle stage of development, COVID 19 impact, educational needs and development

Presentation Year

2022

Start Date

3-8-2022 10:15 AM

End Date

3-8-2022 11:30 AM

Recommended Citation

Page, Ivan Dr., "Incidents of Abuse and Neglect Cases among Middle School students during COVID 19, 2020-2021" (2022). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 53.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2022/2022/53