The emerging of a policy for preventive services to the at-risk families in Taiwan – the function of pressure group on the incremental policy decision making

Abstract

This article shares Taiwan's experience of a case of policy advocacy for child protection services. The nationwide preventive services for the high-risk families were initiated and implemented in 2004, 30 years after the first introduction of the Child Welfare Law. However, it only took less than 2 years to complete this particular policy-making process. It is regarded as the function of pressure group to the incremental policy decision-making process. Two lessons can be drawn from this case: the evidence-based research to support the programme and the multiple uses of advocate strategies in social contexts.

Keywords:

• child protective services
• family services
• evidence-based policy
• advocacy