Janet Schneiderman, assistant professor in the USC School of Social Work, has received a five-year $621,563 grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to prevent medical neglect of children in the child welfare system.

The grant will fund a study that will focus on developing a better conceptual understanding of the variables that affect the caregivers' medical neglect of children. It will also focus on developing an intervention for caregivers that addresses the protective and risk factors for medical neglect and increases caregivers' ability to engage in health behaviors that lead to better healthcare outcomes for their children.

"This is an opportunity to research pediatric health access, utilization and adherence issues for children in the child welfare system," Schneiderman said. "These children are a highly vulnerable population, and they deserve comprehensive health care to address their chronic and acute health problems."