The Vicious Cycle: Recurrent Interactions Among the Media, Politicians, the Public, and Child Welfare Services Organizations

The vicious cycle is a sequence of events that recurs to varying degrees throughout the United States. The cycle includes interactions among the media, politicians, the public, and child welfare services organizations in response to grievous incidents of child maltreatment. These interactions have a profound impact on child welfare services organizations and those who work in them. The cycle and the influence it has on child welfare services organizations are explored with a focus on the climates and cultures in those organizations, the cycle's impact on the child welfare services workforce, and the services they provide. Proposed solutions for managing the effects of the cycle on child welfare services organizations are also considered.