This training engages participants in a discussion of definitions of child neglect and in elevated rates of recurrence of neglect compared to physical abuse and sexual abuse.

The training is oriented around the understanding of and agency responses to  chronic neglect and chronic child maltreatment, i.e., combinations of neglect with physical abuse and/or sexual abuse. The importance of mood disorders in chronic neglect and chronic maltreatment is discussed at length. Strategies for engaging chronically neglectful parents are described. 

The training follows with a small group exercise that uses a case scenario involving a family with multiple CPS reports to spell out the difference between incident oriented investigations and pattern focused assessments. Another small group exercise is used to involve participants in a discussion of CPS interventions with chronically mentally ill parents.