Final answer:
Families may draw the attention of child welfare agencies due to issues such as drug and alcohol use, social isolation, depression, low parental education, and a history of mistreatment. Abuse and neglect are often key concerns that can lead to intervention, and in some situations, relatives may need to take over caregiving roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several issues that can bring families to the attention of child welfare agencies. Drug and alcohol use is a significant contributor to child abuse and neglect, with children in these environments facing a substantially higher risk of harm. Substance abuse by caregivers can drastically impair their ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment, leading to physical and emotional neglect or abuse. Furthermore, issues such as social isolation, depression, low parental education, and a history of mistreatment can also put families on the radar of child welfare organizations. These factors may contribute to situations where a guardian, often a grandparent or other relative, needs to step in temporarily or permanently to care for the children due to the parents' inability to do so because of mental health issues, incarceration, or abuse towards the children. Given the complexity of family dynamics, a variety of concerns, from domestic violence to abandonment, can necessitate intervention by child welfare services for the protection and well-being of the children involved.