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Ronald Hughes, Judith Rycus, and their colleagues have produced a seminal review of differential response (DR) programs implemented across the nation. Their review questions nearly every aspect of the DR movement, beginning with the concept on which all DR programs are based and ending with serious concerns about the quality of evaluations conducted to date. Given current support for DR initiatives and wide variation of existing DR models, not all in the social sciences will agree with their conclusions. Nevertheless, this review represents the type of analysis critical to advancing practice in the field. Although many issues are raised in the Hughes et al. review, our response focuses on four critical points, which we believe represent the core problems identified. These include the concept that serves as the foundation for the DR movement, the role of assessments, and the primary problems with evaluations conducted to date. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) Child File, the only national dataset cataloging child maltreatment reports. It includes variables representing economic distress frequently used in published research. At the national level, these variables are demonstrably implausible, substantially underestimating economic distress. Method: This paper reviews recent work using these variables, analyzes the NCANDS data directly, demonstrates why the economic variables in NCANDS are unusable at a national level, and provides recommendations for incorporating economic measures using NCANDS. Results: We find 19 articles that have used these variables within the past 10 years. Most states provide implausible estimates. Economic measures can be incorporated into NCANDS data by either subsetting to s states with plausible estimates of these variables in given years, or appending county-level economic Census data. Discussion: Without addressing these variables' issues in plausibility, use of them will yield biased estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper presents a re-analysis of the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) data presented by Briggs et al. (2022). Methods: We review five components of that article: The aims, variables, analytic strategy, analysis, and conclusions. Results: We conclude that several of the NCANDS variables used are invalid at the national level, and that this is sufficient to call the research into question. We find concerning issues in analytic strategy and analysis as well, many stemming from a failure to account for the serious underreporting of services in NCANDS, and the wide variability in data quality and consistency across states. We also found what we consider to be issues with their statistical analysis. Discussion: The reanalysis presented in this article shows no pattern of disparate within Child Protective Services (CPS) outcomes by race and, therefore, no support for the Briggs et al. claim of pervasive anti-Black racism within the CPS system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barth et al. (2021) published an article in this journal identifying ten topics in the field of child welfare that are frequently discussed among professionals, advocates, and researchers in an effort to shape discussions of practice and policy reform. Concerned that these discussions are often poorly informed by the research evidence, Barth et al. intended to offer a corrective to these common, erroneous narratives. The Editor-in-Chief, Bruce Thyer, asked for suggestions for commentators and then invited some number of respondents to offer their perspectives on the original article. Here, we respond to each of the submitted papers, highlighting areas of agreement, and addressing other topics where we—sometimes sharply—disagree. We welcome an ongoing, fact-based, respectful dialogue to help shape child welfare reform. Efforts to improve the child welfare system are urgently needed; we stand by our view that large-scale practice and policy reform, in particular, must be guided by the best available research evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this invited paper, we critique Barth and colleagues' (2021). "Research to Consider While Effectively Re-Designing Child Welfare Services" paper that presents 10 commonly held misconceptions in child welfare to provide a foundation for child welfare system reform. We argue that research alone cannot guide the reform of the child welfare system. Rather, we argue that people with lived expertise in the child welfare system and programs must be involved in all parts of collaborations in order to re-design child welfare. Research has limitations and privileging it in setting any reform agenda and efforts is potentially dangerous. We conclude that for effective child welfare system re-design to occur, research-policy-practice partnerships must be built with people with lived expertise in the child welfare system and programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To systematically review international evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions targeting the mental health, wellbeing, and retention of child and family social workers and their impact on child and family outcomes. Method: Systematic review and narrative synthesis of quantitative comparative studies. Published or unpublished research was sought via 12 bibliographic databases, websites, contact with experts, and citation tracking. Studies in any language were eligible for inclusion. Quality was assessed using Cochrane appraisal tools. Results: Fifteen studies were identified from 24 papers. Three studies considered individual-level interventions, with mixed and inconclusive findings. Eleven considered organisational interventions, with mixed but more promising findings. One study considered community-level interventions, with positive findings but a serious risk of bias. Only one study considered costs. Conclusion: The quality of evidence overall does not warrant clear recommendations for services. Organisation-level interventions show some promise. Robust, high-quality interventional studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a reaction paper to the article in this journal issue entitled Human Service Cartels: The Soft Repression of the Mediocracy by David Stoesz. As such, it addresses two significant questions about the Stoesz article. One question is as follows: Are we really talking about a cartel? The other question is as follows: Isn't it the power elite that promotes societal control and repression? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a reaction paper to the article in this issue of Research on Social Work Practice entitled Research to Consider While Effectively Redesigning Child Welfare Services by Richard P. Barth and colleagues. As such, it addresses two significant questions about the article. One question is: What are the methodological limitations? The second question is: What are the implications on the methodological limitations? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hughes et al. paper is critiqued generally and in specific areas. The weak nature of the authors’ empirical work is discussed along with their enigmatic writing and vague and incorrect use of references, and their simultaneous use of sweeping statements of opinion and narrow analytical focus. This review examines the authors’ errors regarding differential response (DR) and child safety, confusion of child safety and family risk, incorrect portrayal of DR family assessments, incomplete review and analysis of inconsistency in pathway (track) assignment, incomplete analysis of external validity, and mistaken interpretation of field experiments. A short essay on the purpose of DR is presented along with other literature which readers are encouraged to read and interpret for themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: The current study seeks to investigate the extent to which factors such as income and child support along with relationship factors such as family structure and communication with the custodial mother potentially mitigate overall parent satisfaction for African American noncustodial fathers (NCFs) with multi-partnered fertility (MPF). Methods: 163 noncustodial fathers without and with children other than the custodial parents were selected. An independent sample t-test was conducted to determine differences in satisfaction levels. Multiple linear regression was conducted to predict participants' overall level of parental involvement satisfaction by income, child support, and relationship factors. Results: The data illustrates the combined influence of income, child support, relationship factors, and family structure account for a significant amount of the variance in satisfaction. Fathers without MPF reported greater satisfaction levels. Conclusions: Future study is recommended to advance our understanding of the predictors of NCFs parent satisfaction among NCFs with and without MPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This evidence and gap map collates evidence reporting on the effectiveness of interventions aimed to prevent, disclose, respond to, or treat child maltreatment occurring in institutional settings. Methods: A comprehensive and systematic literature search identified primary studies and systematic reviews meeting the review's eligibility criteria. Literature screening, data extraction and critical appraisals were undertaken independently by multiple reviewers. Data extracted and reported from the included studies included information about the institutional setting, target population, type of maltreatment, intervention type and outcomes. Results: Seventy-three studies were identified, including 11 systematic reviews and 62 primary studies. Overall, the methodological quality of the studies was low to moderate. Most evaluated curriculum-based interventions delivered in educational settings, primarily aimed at preventing sexual abuse. Fewer studies examined other institutional settings or intervention types. Conclusions: This review highlights a need for high-quality studies evaluating a more diverse range of interventions across more varied institutional contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

David Stoesz offers a sweeping critique of the Children’s Bureau and social work education by claiming the existence of a “child welfare cartel.” He also attacks the quality of social work education and research, which he claims has poorly invested government funding and helped create the unmitigated failures of the American child welfare system. However, closer examination reveals that many of his claims, while dramatic, are actually ill conceived and unsupportable. We attempt to clarify and inform readers about some significant aspects of the field of child welfare and the contemporary responses being made by the federal government in partnership with social work educators and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, the incessantly tethered over-involvement of African American/Black (AA/BL) families with the U.S. Child Welfare System (CWS) has been uniquely troubling. Child welfare researchers have asserted "poverty" over "racism" as the root determinant of the historical disproportionate overrepresentation of AA/BL children in CWS. This commentary explores the extent this assertion holds once an apples-to-apples comparison of poor AA/BL and WH children in the CWS is examined. Using 2018 and 2019 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Systems (NCANDS) Child File data, rates of disproportionality and disparity for AA/BL and White (WH) children receiving public assistance (PA) (2018: N = 333,640; 2019: N = 321,273) were computed at two CW decision points [disposition of maltreatment investigation and subsequent services administered]. Among these poor children, AA/BL were found to be disproportionately overrepresented and WH children underrepresented compared to their proportion of the U.S. child population at each decision point. AA/BL children were also found to be three times more likely to have their maltreatment substantiated and subsequently be placed in foster care compared to their WH counterparts. The issues of racial disproportionality and disparities still exists when comparing poor AA/BL to poor WH children, which suggests "racism" is operational at decision points in the U.S. CWS and should not be minimized or omitted as a consequential determinant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An intense appetite for reforming and transforming child welfare services in the United States is yielding many new initiatives. Vulnerable children and families who become involved with child welfare clearly deserve higher quality and more effective services. New policies, programs, and practices should be built on sound evidence. Reforms based on misunderstandings about what the current data show may ultimately harm families. This review highlights 10 commonly held misconceptions which we assert are inconsistent with the best available contemporary evidence. Implications for better alignment of evidence and reform are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social work education grounded in social work practice has been recently challenged to examine the role of science in its history, core constructs and domains, philosophical underpinnings, and graduate curriculum. Doctoral education has been added to the scrutiny at the recent Science in Social Work Roundtable in Doctoral Education. Based on Lev Vygotsky’s scaffolding approach to facilitate learning, this article discusses doctoral student education with the four stages of (1) positioning doctoral students for a scientific career, (2) promoting doctoral students as scholars of the academy, (3) promulgating doctoral students as scientists of the profession, and (4) preparing doctoral student to be stewards of the discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: This study compared the impact, challenges, and benefits of the Circle of Security-Parenting (COS-P) intervention across two delivery modes: group center-based (GCCOS-P) and individual home-based (IHCOS-P). Methods: This mixed-methods study compared the impact of the COS-P on parental reflective functioning and parental stress across two delivery modes: GCCOS-P (n = 7) and IHCOS-P (n = 7). It compared the challenges and benefits of each, from the qualitative perspectives of participants (n = 2 IHCOS-P; n = 3 GCCOS-P) and facilitators (n = 4). Results: Quantitative statistical analysis comparing pre- and postintervention measures suggest that each delivery mode was equally effective in reducing parental stress and generally noneffective with respect to parental reflective functioning. Challenges and benefits of each mode, inherent in the peer/shared learning environment of the GCOS-P and the individualized, flexible delivery of the IHCOS-P, were identified. Discussion: This study adds to knowledge about the widely utilized COS-P, highlighting challenges and benefits of two modes of delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This reaction article highlights areas of agreement and disagreement with the study conducted by Hughes, Rycus, Saunders-Adams, Hughes, and Hughes on the current state of research and practice in differential response (DR). Overall, we agree with several of the arguments put forth by Hughes et al. regarding the limitations of DR research and the lack of a consistently defined and implemented DR practice model. These areas of agreement offer common ground on which to work together to move the field forward. However, we have concerns about the methodological rigor of the Hughes et al. study and questions about some of their findings and conclusions. We draw upon our current evaluation of a five-county DR research and demonstration project in Colorado to provide recommendations for enhancing the design and implementation of research on DR. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To evaluate interactive television (ITV)for delivering a graduate course on substance abuse and child welfare to distant sites. Method: Students' ratings of instructor-student communication are compared across distance and resident sites for the ITV course and with students in the traditional course. Similar comparisons are made for students' ratings Of the amount learned and for instructors' judgments of student performance. Distance and resident students' ratings of the ITV course are also compared to traditional courses. Results: The mean of the instructor-student communication dimensions was the same for distance and traditional students and was slightly more positive for distance students compared to resident students. Student performance and course grades were similar across groups, and the distance and resident students in the ITV course rated it as helpful to their learning as traditional courses. Conclusions: The results suggest that ITV compromised neither instructor-student communication nor the amount that students learned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research aimed to understand the views of social workers on factors influencing decision making toward child placement and any possible differences in perception of these factors among social workers with experience in placement decision making and those without it. Methods: The Q sort methodology was used to analyze the opinions of 64 social workers by presenting them 54 statements on single sheets and asked to rank them on a grid. Results: Analysis showed five distinct paradigms: family-centered; veiled shared concept; child-centered; paternalistic; and professional evidence-based, which influence the entire process and outcomes of the decision making process. Both groups (those with experience in decisions towards placement and those without such experience) believed in family centeredness. Workers without prior experience of deciding to place children, regarded highly the role of workers in the decision-making process. They highlighted the need for data to guide decisions and the responsibility of workers to protect the child's welfare. Workers with prior experience focused mostly on generalized concepts and highlighted a detachment of the social worker from the decisions made. They attributed responsibility for decisions to the wider environment. Conclusion: Reflecting on the paradigms within which decisions concerning child welfare are made is essential to improving on the decision-making processes and has implications for both research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one by Dr. Bruce Thyer, editor of Research on Social Work Practice on evidence-based child welfare practice, and another on studies of the court system and issues and implications for case decision making.

Purpose: This article compares outcomes of a family-based prevention program from its original in-person mode to an online mode in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Celebrating Families!™ is designed to improve parenting skills, family functioning, and family relationships to break the cycle of substance use problems. Method: This mixed-methods, quasi-experimental study compared outcomes of in-person and online treatment conditions and content analysis of open-ended responses to a satisfaction survey. Results: Both groups showed improvement in outcomes, with moderate effect sizes and high satisfaction. Average scores of the online groups were generally lower than the in-person scores. Qualitative data yielded participants' accounts of improvements in parenting behaviors, family relationships, coping skills, and knowledge insights. Conclusions: Despite the contexts of COVID-19, findings provided evidence that such relational group interventions can be feasibly administered online and can effect changes required to break the cycle of substance use problems and adverse family experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This article describes how a worker fidelity assessment measure was developed for Signs of Safety®—an approach to assessing safety and risk in child protective services that is being implemented in the United States and over 11 other countries. Methods: We applied the Delphi Survey process with 70 experts from nine countries to identify key practice elements that could be assessed by supervisors. Then, 435 frontline staff were assessed by 285 supervisors from six countries. Results: Factor analyses of the 28 items yielded four distinct factors. These data were then used to refine the fidelity assessment. Discussion: The majority of supervisors reported that the assessment helped them to identify worker strengths and areas for refinement within the dimensions of Signs of Safety and overall child protective services practice. The value of developing similar tools for parents and workers was endorsed by the study participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Protecting children from mistreatment is a global concern, and further research and evaluation in child protection services is required. Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) has demonstrated potential, but to date, there is no systematic review of studies that evaluate the application of CQI in child protection. Method: This systematic literature review examined the application of CQI in child protection services. The review identified published, English-language evaluations of CQI in child protection from 2000 to 2016 and critiqued the characteristics, methodological quality, and reported benefits of the included studies. Results: A search of social science electronic databases identified eight peer-reviewed studies, including six quantitative studies, one mixed-methods study, and one qualitative study. Discussion: The review highlighted that many studies on this topic lack specific validating data, but there is evidence that CQI models have some potential to improve processes for working with children and families by promoting implementation fidelity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines foster care reentry after adoption, in Illinois and New Jersey. The provision of services and supports to adoptive families have garnered recent attention due to concern about the long-term stability of adoptive homes. Method: This study used administrative data to examine the pre-adoption characteristics associated with post-adoption foster care reentry. Children were tracked longitudinally, using administrative data, for five to fifteen years (depending on their date of adoption), or the age of majority. Results: Results indicated that most (95%) children did not reenter foster care after adoption. Findings from survival models suggested key covariates that may help to identify children most at risk for post-adoption reentry: child race, age at adoption, number of placement moves in foster care, and time spent in foster care prior to adoption. Conclusion: Study findings may help identify families most at-risk for post-adoption difficulties in order to develop preventative adoption service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act requires child welfare agencies to have provisions in place to refer young children to early intervention services, yet the socioemotional health needs of children are often challenging to recognize and treat effectively. This study reviews the substantive and psychometric properties of screening instruments designed for children ages 10 and younger. Methods: Major social science databases, websites of national organizations, and the Mental Measurements Yearbook were used to identify instruments for review. Results: Twenty-four instruments met review criteria, and eight show above-average measurement properties and testing, tap children’s strengths and concerns, and have evidence of validity with families similar to child welfare–involved families. Discussion: It is important to effectively screen for children showing concerns in early childhood, so that treatment and prevention can be prioritized. This study indicated several tools with adequate testing and with emerging evidence and applicability to child welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Children in out-of-home placements typically display more educational, behavioral, and psychological problems than do their peers. This systematic review evaluated the effect of kinship care placement compared to foster care placement on the safety, permanency, and well-being of children removed from the home for maltreatment. Methods: Review authors independently read titles and abstracts identified in the searches, selected appropriate studies, assessed the eligibility of each study, evaluated the methodological quality, and extracted outcome data for meta-analysis. Results: Outcome data from the 102 included quasi-experimental studies suggest that, as compared to children in foster care, children in kinship care experience fewer behavioral problems and mental health disorders, better well-being, less placement disruption, fewer mental health services, and similar reunification rates. Conclusions: This review supports the practice of treating kinship care as a viable out-of-home placement option. This conclusion is tempered by methodological and design weaknesses of the included studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This article reports on an examination of the psychometric properties of the 28-item Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-28). Methods: Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's a, t-tests, correlations, and multivariate analysis of variance were applied to data collected via interviews from 593 at-risk adolescents (12-17 years) to identify the factor structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and floor and ceiling effects of the CYRM-28. Results: A four-factor structure was identified comprising two contextual factors, individual and family factors. The CYRM-28 and its factors show good internal reliability, stable test-retest properties, and no floor or ceiling effects. The measure also showed good construct validity. Discussion: The CYRM-28 shows good overall validity on this group of New Zealand youth, and researchers and social workers can have some confidence in its usefulness as a measure that can be used to assess resilience in youth from a range of ethnic backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We examine how frontline workers and supervisors delivering a research-supported intervention (RSI) to reduce child neglect negotiated system-related challenges, the pragmatics of RSI implementation, and their professional identities and relationships with clients. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews, small group discussions, and focus groups with frontline workers and supervisors in one large county over two time periods. We used iterative coding to analyze qualitative data. Results: Frontline workers navigated several aspects of RSI implementation and sustainment: (1) contract requirements and information dissemination, (2) fidelity, (3) competing demands and crises, (4) structure versus creativity, and (5) relationships with clients. Conclusions: Workers dynamically negotiated multiple system- and provider-level (or outer- and inner-contextual) demands influencing RSI provision for clients with complex service needs. Results affirm the need to attend to the unintended consequences of implementing new contract, reimbursement, and other system or organizational processes and to address the “committed work” supporting RSI delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI) is a specific focus of Stoesz’s article, a more expansive and thought-provoking critique is made of the NCWWI within the context of a purported overreliance and dependency on the Children’s Bureau, concerns regarding the quality of social work education, and the development of a “professional cartel in child welfare …” in the social work profession. Stoesz’s assertions are examined and some of his observations are reinforced within a broader exploration and discussion of how the events he describes (which are paralleled by events in Florida) may be a by-product of sociological influences shaping social work’s efforts to receive social sanction as a profession. It is argued that the profession need not attempt to monopolize or engage in behaviors meant to gain legislative or social sanction at the expense of advancing knowledge and better informing practice trends and policy actions. Toward this end, professional cartels should be confronted and multi- and interdisciplinary professional practice can and should take place within child welfare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To use meta-analytic techniques to evaluating the effectiveness of parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) at reducing future physical abuse among physically abusive families. Methods: A systematic search identified six eligible studies. Outcomes of interest were physical abuse recurrence, child abuse potential, and parenting stress. Results: Parents receiving PCIT had significantly fewer physical abuse recurrences and significantly greater reductions on the Parenting Stress Index than parents in comparison groups. Reductions in child abuse potential were nonsignificant, although 95% confidence intervals suggest clinically meaningful treatment effects. The studies examining physical abuse recurrence had a medium treatment effect (g = 0.52), while results from pooled effect size estimates for child abuse potential (g = 0.31) and parenting stress (g = 0.35) were small. Conclusions: PCIT appears to be effective at reducing physical abuse recurrence and parenting stress for physically abusive families, with the largest treatment effects seen on long-term physical abuse recurrence. Applications to social work practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Organizational climate has emerged as an important factor in understanding and addressing the complexities of providing services in child welfare. This research examines the psychometric properties of each of the dimensions of Parker and colleagues’ Psychological Climate Survey in a sample of voluntary child welfare workers. Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to analyze data on 640 child welfare workers providing services directly to children and families. Results: Strong models were developed for each dimension. Each validated model was more parsimonious than in the original instrument but supported the theoretical underpinnings of each. Discussion and Applications to Social Work: Psychological climate in voluntary child welfare agencies can be assessed along each of four dimensions identified by Parker and colleagues: job, role, organization, and supervision. Those wishing to examine psychological climate in voluntary child welfare settings should consider using the models identified in the current research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: An analysis of the psychometric properties of an Icelandic version of McMasters Family Assessment Device (FAD) was conducted in this study. Method: Two groups, clinical and nonclinical, comprising of 529 parents answered the FAD. The study examined the internal reliability and discriminant validity of the instrument in addition to examining construct validity using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Results: The theoretically based original FAD is reliable where the total scale had high α, .95. The factors found for the Icelandic FAD were not as reliable as the original FAD. The discriminant validity showed that the clinical group scored higher (more dysfunctional) than the nonclinical group in most dimensions of both original FAD and the Icelandic FAD. The eight factors extracted in an EFA were different from the original factors. Discussion: The Icelandic FAD possesses good psychometric properties, although its factor structure differs from the original FAD. The results are promising and merit continued application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Multiple Family Group (MFG) service delivery model to reduce childhood disruptive behavior disorders has shown promise in engaging child welfare–involved families. This qualitative study examines caregivers’ perceptions of factors that influence retention in MFGs among child welfare–involved families. Methods: Twenty-five predominantly Black and Hispanic adult (aged 26–57) female caregivers with child welfare services involvement participated in individual, in-depth interviews. Transcribed interview data were thematically coded, guided by grounded theory methodology. Emergent themes were subsequently organized into a conceptual framework. Results: Factors promoting retention included the quality of interaction among group members, group facilitators’ attentive approach with caregivers, supports designed to overcome logistical barriers, and perceptions of MFG activities as fun and helpful. Caregivers’ mental health and personal characteristics as well as children’s behavior also impacted retention. Conclusions: Findings suggest MFGs are acceptable for child welfare–involved caregivers. Modifications are suggested to tailor to setting and client characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that examines the psychometric properties of two subscales of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Multicultural Council's Organizational Cultural Competence Assessment, which together have been used to assess organizational cultural competence in child welfare agencies. The confirmatory factor analysis has been used to analyze data on 478 child welfare workers. Discussed were the factors that are more proximal to client interaction.

The article provides an assessment on the effectivity of psychodynamic/psychoanalytic psychotherapy for sexually abused children and teenagers. It mentions the application of the Cochrane Collaboration's criteria for the classifying the quality of research and synthesis of data. It also notes the prevalence of sexual assault on men and women ranging from 3% to 29% and 7% to 36% respectively.

A number of proxies have been used in child welfare workforce research to represent actual turnover; however, there have been no psychometric studies to validate a scale specifically designed for this purpose. The Intent to Leave Child Welfare Scale is a proxy for actual turnover that measures workers’ intention to leave. This scale was validated in the current study by a CFA. The resulting factors were compared to actual turnover. Nearly two in three workers who indicated that they had considered looking for a job in the past year actually left their agencies (60.0%). A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to determine the validity of the Intent to Leave Child Welfare Scale. The best fitting model consisted of three factors with acceptable fit statistics (X2 = 28.6, p = 0.04; RMSEA = 0.05, 90% RMSEA CI = 0.01-0.08; CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.98). Identified latent factors included “thinking,” which included observed variables related to workers thinking about leaving their current jobs; “looking,” which included observed variables related to workers searching for a new job; and “acting,” which included observed variables related to workers actually taking physical steps to seek a new job. Once a good fitting model was identified, binary logistic regression was conducted to determine odds ratios to predict who actually left their agencies. Each of the identified latent factors was significantly predictive of actual leaving (thinking: OR = 1.24, p = 0.00; looking: OR = 1.25, p = 0.00; acting: OR = 1.28, p = 0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents at study that investigates the stress levels of home care and social work employees in Great Britain. It states the three-year longitudinal control evaluation used by researchers to examine the changes on Maslach burnout numbers and the Karasek demand-control scheme. Moreover, the results of the evaluation are also stated.

The article presents a pilot study that investigates the psychometric attributes of the Home Observations for Measurement of the Environment Inventory (HOME) utilizing the sample from the social service in Sweden. It mentions the methods conducted by researchers to determine the psychometric properties of 22 child protection agencies. Moreover, results of the study are also stated.

In this article, the authors responded to nine commentaries by 17 contributors to their article, Issues in Differential Response. The authors found that a majority of the respondents agreed with the major conclusions of Issues in Differential Response. However, there were varying degrees of disagreement regarding the significance of some of the article’s conclusions. The authors point out and discuss the considerable divergence in the respondents’ definitions of differential response (DR), their assessment of DR reform’s empirical support, and their assessment of its potential for progressive development as an evidence-informed model for child welfare practice. The authors conclude that research claims and public belief regarding DR reform’s safety and effectiveness exceed its scientific support, and they make suggestions for improving model building and outcome research for DR reform. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This is a response to the document by Hughes et al. in this issue that offers a critique of the status of differential response (DR). We find the document to be helpful in intent, but do not find that it reflects scientifically sound methods, and contains many mischaracterizations of the status, impetus, research, and evaluation of DR to date. We attempt to define DR, provide a national overview, and in doing so clarify some inaccuracies portrayed by the authors on the implementation of DR. Second, we provide some observations about the critique of the research, our sense of what is coming, and what is needed in the way of research and evaluation going forward. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ronald Hughes and his colleagues have written a groundbreaking article on child welfare’s use of differential response. Their research addresses the matter from a “lessons learned” and “ways to improve” approach. Our comments focused on three key issues: (1) the importance of evidence-based practice; (2) the recognition that no one practice modality can be a cure-all for child protection; and (3) the necessity of better quality training for child welfare professionals. We believe the value of this article goes beyond theoretical and ideological discussion, but should be used to promote and support research-informed knowledge in policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article is an invited commentary and analysis of the authors’ completed systematic evaluation of Child Protective Services (CPS) differential response (DR) models. I write this commentary based on 25 years of public child welfare experience followed by 13 years as a social work professor and researcher. In their review of DR, the authors’ identify critical and unresolved issues in DR implementation and program evaluation as well as recommendation to improve DR within CPS. In the course of the authors’ evaluation, they completed interviews with key informants in states that have implemented DR; an important contribution to CPS literature. Concepts, issues, and controversies in the DR literature are discussed in view of CPS practice models and history of policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article is a response to “Issues in Differential Response”, a review of the current evidence pertaining to differential response (DR) programs in child protective services (CPS). In my view, the Hughes, Rycus, Saunders-Adams, Hughes, and Hughes article suffers from several weaknesses. First, DR programs are critiqued as if they were a manualized intervention rather than a policy orientation, resulting in unhelpful conclusions. Second, the strength of existing evidence pertaining to child safety in DR is framed in an overly negative way. Finally, I attempt to place our understanding of DR in a broader perspective reflecting the continuing evolution of CPS and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hughes, Rycus, Saunders-Adams, Hughes, and Hughes’s article represents an important effort to critically examine the foundation of thought and empirical evidence associated with the rise in prominence of differential response (DR) within child welfare systems throughout the United States. The insights and criticisms offered are an important contribution to the professional literature. The arguments and perspective put forward can best be understood within the context of continuing conflict and debate (within child welfare) stemming from the countervailing influences of the principle of least intrusion and demands to ensure child safety. Although effective arguments are put forth that support many of the conclusions and interpretations, there are a few comments that require further discussion and reflection. More specifically, it is unclear if there is sufficient evidence to support their claim that children in DR alternative tracks may or are at a more heightened safety risk. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Differential response (DR), also referred to as alternative response (AR), family assessment response (FAR), or multiple track response, was developed to incorporate family-centered, strengths-based practices into child protective services (CPS), primarily by diverting lower risk families into an assessment track rather than requiring the traditional CPS investigation. Since the program’s inception, researchers have conducted several large evaluation studies of DR programs, and a large body of research and program literature has been published touting the success and benefits of DR. In response to significant concerns about the clarity and consistency of DR program models and the validity and generalizability of its associated research, the authors undertook a comprehensive, three-pronged evaluation to provide guidance in shaping the ongoing development of DR programs. This report summarizes the methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations from the review. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Context: The development of a consolidated knowledge base for social work requires rigorous approaches to identifying relevant research. Method: The quality of 10 databases and a web search engine were appraised by systematically searching for research articles on resilience and burnout in child protection social workers. Results: Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, Social Services Abstracts and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) had greatest sensitivity, each retrieving more than double than any other database. PsycINFO and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) had highest precision. Google Scholar had modest sensitivity and good precision in relation to the first 100 items. SSCI, Google Scholar, Medline, and CINAHL retrieved the highest number of hits not retrieved by any other database. Conclusion: A range of databases is required for even modestly comprehensive searching. Advanced database searching methods are being developed but the profession requires greater standardization of terminology to assist in information retrieval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This article presents a cost-savings analysis of the statewide implementation of an evidence-informed parenting education program. Methods: Between the years 2005 and 2008, the state of Louisiana used the Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP) to impart parenting skills to child welfare-involved families. Following these families’ outcomes through August 2010, increased program attendance was associated with significant reductions in substantiated incidences and re-reports of child maltreatment. Program costs and benefits (cost savings) were calculated using program, workforce, and administrative data. Results: The benefit-cost ratio of 0.87 demonstrates that the NPP approaches cost neutrality in a short time period, without the consideration of long-term benefits or benefits to other systems. Conclusion: Louisiana’s child welfare department should be able to absorb all costs of statewide delivery of the NPP through observed reductions in repeat maltreatment. Targeted program delivery could potentially yield even greater savings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: Statements about potentially effective components of interventions in child and youth care are hard to make because of a lack of a standardized instruments for classifying the most salient care characteristics. The aim of this study is to present an empirically developed taxonomy of care for youth (Tocfy) which is feasible for use in daily practice, including an explanation of the developmental process itself. Methods: The development procedure, comprising of different stages, contributed significantly to the foundation of the taxonomy. Results: The operational version consists of six domains: (1) contents of the intervention; (2) judicial context; (3) duration of the intervention; (4) intensity of the intervention; (5) intervention recipients; and (6) expertise of professionals. The terminologies used to describe treatment programs and the levels of classification were standardized for each organization participating in our study. By doing so, the feasibility and manageability of the taxonomic system in daily practice increased. Discussion: Using tocfy in daily practice provides the opportunity to gather information on care and treatment characteristics within care organizations. The strength of tocfy is that its framework can be extended to other care organizations within child and youth care. Replication of the findings of our study in other child and youth care settings is needed, because this study only covered one province in the Netherlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practice and Research Together (PART) is an Ontario-based research utilization initiative, the core function of which is to distil and disseminate practice-relevant research findings to child welfare practitioners. This article addresses (a) the mission and goals of the PART program; (b) the key components of the program design; (c) the conceptual foundations of evidence-informed practice (EIP) as it relates to the program; (d) the successes and challenges of implementation to date; (e) the results of a comprehensive evaluation; and (f) areas for future research and development. Key findings of the formative evaluation include Link PARTners (LPs—organizational representatives) feeling isolated in their role in promoting organizational change; front-line practitioners reporting that they have little time or resources to use the program materials; supervisors stating that they support the concept of EIP but lack the skills and abilities to move these ideas forward; and executive directors are requesting more evidence to promote organizational and systemic change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the impact of treatment foster care (TFC) on psychosocial and behavioral outcomes, delinquency, placement stability, and discharge status for children and adolescents who, for reasons of severe medical, social, psychological and behavioural problems, were placed in out-of-home care in restrictive settings or at risk of placement in such settings. Method: Electronic bibliographic databases, web searches, and article reference lists were used to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effectiveness of TFC with children and young people. The Cochrane Collaboration’s criteria were used to assess the methodological quality of studies that met the inclusion criteria. Wherever possible, extracted outcome data from similar studies were synthesized with random effects meta-analyses. Results: A total of 5 studies including 390 participants were included in this review. Data suggest that TFC may be a useful intervention for children and young people with complex emotional, psychological, and behavioural need, who are at risk of placements in nonfamily settings that restrict their liberty and opportunities for social inclusion. Conclusion: Although the inclusion criteria for this systematic review set a study design threshold higher than that of previous reviews, the findings mirror those of earlier reviews. While the results of individual studies generally indicate that TFC is a promising intervention for children and youth experiencing mental health problems, behavioral problems, or problems of delinquency, the evidence base is not robust and more research is needed due to the limited number of studies in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]